When I became pregnant with #3, I knew I wanted to have a water birth. I toured UVA's L&D asking the nurses about the tub. They told me the policy was I could only labor in the tub, when it came time to push I'd have to get out. That sounded awful to me. The nurse could tell I wasn't ok with that so she recommended I use the midwife "we all use- Kelly Sicoli" I was immediately interested that the nurses (& later I found out physicians) at a top hospital use Kelly. Both my husband & I are in healthcare ourselves & we were concerned because "what if something goes wrong at home?" the first time I spoke with Kelly on the phone she calmed all my fears. She brings everything from IV fluids, meds, suction, etc with her to the delivery. We were on board! The prenatal visits were wonderful! I was never rushed out of the room for the next patient, Kelly was never late because she was busy with another patient. My appointments lasted longer because we went over more things in more details. I suffer from terrible migraines, Kelly helped make sure those were staying controlled during the pregnancy. I was very appreciative how detailed our birth plan was because then there was no room for error or surprise. (such as making sure I had a facet connector for my water hose because I sure wouldn't have thought about that!) Kelly even had me print my medical chart in case we had to go to UVA so that we could hand it right over & the team would have all the information they needed. It was wonderful being able to directly contact Kelly whenever I had questions or concerns, not calling an office & leaving messages for a nurse who doesn't even know me to call me back. Even late at night, Kelly would text me back when I started having braxton hicks & gave me suggestions on how to relieve them.
The day my water broke, I wasn't having any contractions. We didn't rush anything. Kelly gave me suggestions on how to get contractions started but didn't come to my house until things were in full swing which was nice being able to walk my neighborhood & do what I wanted to do during the slow period. Once my contractions were regular & closer together, Kelly & Sara came to my house & immediately got the pool set up & checked my baby & me. They made sure I was eating & drinking (which was so wonderful since in the hospital they don't want you to in case you have a c-section). While Kelly & Sara were setting up, I got to labor in my bed, in my clothes, snuggle up to my pillows, it was much better experience being in my own home with my things (plus who wants to be in a hospital during covid?) Once I got into the pool, Kelly continued to check my baby's heart but never checked to see how dilated I was (because all women know how uncomfortable that is!) it was wonderful being able to just let my body do what was natural & felt right to me. I was able to get in whatever position I wanted, Kelly & Sara respected whatever I requested. After he was born, they cleaned up everything, I didn't have to worry about anything! Sara helped me get in the shower, Kelly started a medical chart for my son which was great to be able to hand to the pediatrician. The pediatrician was impressed with the details in my son's medical chart.
Kelly checked on me a lot in the following days which was very nice. After a hospital birth, you're basically forgotten about. She checked on my bleeding, how breastfeeding was going, and my mood. I believe the water truly helped during delivery. I delivered on a Monday, by Wednesday/Thursday I felt like nothing had happened down there. Yes, I was still bleeding like a normal period but there was no swelling, soreness, tenderness, nothing. I was back to my normal self & out walking the dog that same week. While at this moment I don't plan on having more children, but if I do, I 1000% would use Kelly again. read more