For Kelsey’s first pregnancy, she wanted the support of a midwife and doula and she was
interested in a home birth. Because she lives rurally, Kelsey decided that the birth center was a better fit for her so that she could be closer to a hospital just in case. While researching options, Kelsey was excited to learn that Our Community Birth Center provides a home-like option with Certified Nurse Midwives, childbirth prep classes, lactation support, postpartum home visits, and opportunities to build community with other parents. She was also encouraged to hear that birth center parents get uninterrupted skin-to- skin contact with their baby right away.
Kelsey’s labor contractions lasted 24 hours. In the middle of the long labor journey, she came to the birth center to have her cervix checked but she was only 1 cm dilated. Kelsey was also able to smile and talk through her contractions, so her midwife, AlexAnn, provided reassurance and support and recommended that she go home to labor more. “I’m really glad AlexAnn sent me home. I got to labor at home most of the time.” At around 2:30 pm, Kelsey headed back to the birth center. “Everyone was thinking Silas would be born in the evening, but he was ready to arrive that afternoon,” says Kelsey. After just 3 strong pushes, Silas was born and they snuggled up in the birth center bed for much deserved skin to skin snuggling and nursing.
Being a new parent, and especially one who lives rurally, can be an isolating experience. Kelsey took advantage of the birth center’s Childbirth Prep Courses to prepare for labor and to meet other parents with close due dates. Kelsey also attends Baby Clinic on Mondays to connect with other parents, check on Silas’s growth, and have her feeding and lactation questions answered. “I felt really taken care of, supported, and seen at Our Community Birth Center,” says Kelsey. “I never felt like I was just another number; I felt like I was part of the community here.”
“The birth center is so homey. It’s a home birth away from home.”