Charleston is very fortunate to have a birth center that offers a midwife model of care. Lesley Rathbun and Judy Osborne have created a haven for women seeking more holistic and meaningful well-woman annual visits and birthing experiences.
Upon becoming pregnant, I researched and interviewed midwives all over the area. My husband was very reluctant to not use a doctor for prenatal and delivery, but I convinced him to go to a meeting at the birth center. I showed up with--and I'm not exaggerating here--FIVE pages of questions. Every question I had was answered logically and soundly either through the discussion or when asked, and afterwards I asked my man what he thought. He loved it.
We chose to use Charleston Birth Place for giving birth because they offer a midwife model of care with a highly trained staff; there are only two delivery rooms, which are immaculately clean; they offer water births in spacious tubs; and they are still only a block from the hospital in case there is a need to be transferred. The typical C-section rate at hospitals in the Charleston area is between 25-50%. The C-section rate at CBP is about 10%.
My prenatal care at CBP was outstanding and empowering. Until about 28 weeks you only go about once a month, but it was in the weeks that followed that this place totally shined. The staff got to know me, & I felt very comfortable there. Each prenatal visit consists of plenty of time with the midwife for examinations and to discuss any questions, and then there is an educational video of usually about 10 minutes that corresponds to where you are in your pregnancy.
When it came time to give birth, I was well-educated after my prenatal visits and Bradley Method class, and I labored naturally at home with my husband for as long as we could. The Bradley class really helped us know what to do and not feel fearful about the process ahead of us that night.
We headed up to North Charleston to the birth center. I was worried that the 25 minute drive would be too hard to handle, but my husband lovingly set up the passenger seat for me with cushions and supplies. I felt fine and lucid until the contractions came which simply (easy to say now) required one minute of deep breathing, concentration and relaxation. Yes, it's painful and intense, but it's over in one minute. I think I had about four contractions in the car, so basically, four minutes were challenging, and otherwise, we were carrying on a conversation together.
Lesley had just started filling the tub for us when we arrived, so I had to wait a bit, and just kept up our laboring techniques for about 20 minutes or so until I could get in the warm water. When I did, it felt amazing. I mean, AMAZING.
There were two other midwives there who were incredibly supportive and helpful. During transition, the midwives, my doula and my husband just kept encouraging me. Then, came the pushing.
I pushed for a long time. I was determined. Most women push for about an hour to two hours during the contractions, but I was so determined to have a natural childbirth that I asked for more time and positions. My team was faithfully supportive. Finally, Lesley cried "uncle" for me, and decided that after a Herculean effort on all our parts, that maybe this baby needed some assistance from a doctor around the corner at the hospital. So, during second stage labor, with my baby stuck in my pelvis, we transferred.
Let me just say that having a doula present is like an insurance policy. If you can afford it, hire one. Our doula, Mandy Wallace Reimer, was incredible. She said kind words, helped us pack up, offered massage and feel-good care, while my husband was, well, husbanding, and the midwives were handling more of the medical side of things.
Once we arrived at the hospital, Lesley never left my side. She is affiliated with that hospital, and so was able to continue to care for me. She explained things to my husband and me and she advocated for us, all the while staying calm, keeping a sense of humor, and most importantly, ensuring the safety of both my baby and me. The team at Trident Hospital was very familiar with "Lesley's type of patient," that would want a very calm environment with as few interventions as necessary.
I ended up being one of those 10% of CBP patients who had to give birth via a Cesarean Section. I was disappointed that my body didn't comply with what I really, really wanted and felt like I deserved, but I am deeply grateful for the amazing care I received and continue to receive at CBP, and I whole-heartedly recommend them if you are considering giving birth naturally or are seeking a midwife for well-woman care.
As a rating, I give them 10 fingers and 10 toes up! read more
