View William's Birth Photos >

Mat & I had such an amazing and wonderful experience at Best Start Birth Center. From our first visit to this very day we've had nothing but positive feelings. We started with a warm bath and ended with William in our arms safely after 32 hours of labor. Even though William had his cord around his neck twice the staff was calm and attentive. He was born healthy and happy. We didn't have any complications. The entire experience was wonderful. We went off 5 hours after William was born. The staff was accomodating and so friendly. They felt like family. We hope to have our next little one there.

Thank you Sara for being my coach and strength. You told me I could do it, when I felt I couldn't push anymore.
God bless your birth center....
Mathew, Jeanna and William John

View Hannah's Birth photos >

May 9th was to be my husband’s unit’s family beach bash celebrating Mother’s Day [weekend] and to mark the halfway point of the deployment. It also was the day my mother-in-law would be arriving to help out here with our 16 month old daughter surrounding the time of when I would be giving birth to our second. However, when I woke that morning I discovered my water had broke. After getting a pad, of course, the first thing I did was email my husband, Stephen, to call me, who at the time was fortunate to have phone access. Then I talked to the midwife on-call, Sarah, and made plans for me to come in that evening for her to check me, granted I didn’t need to go earlier. My labor was slow starting, and I originally figured I’d still go to the beach party. After talking to Stephen, we decided it best that I just hang out at home and try to rest. At one point I actually did take a nap while having mild contractions, but most of the day was spent making arrangements for my daughter Lily to be taken care of and preparing last minute things for the labor and delivery and postpartum. I had a friend, Sara, whose husband is also a Marine, come over, and later in the afternoon Stephen’s mom arrived –she’d driven from Oklahoma having left a couple days earlier. Also, I had a doula, Tera, through Operation Special Delivery. Sara drove me to the birth center that evening, and we arrived at 7:30pm. By that time I was in decently hard labor, and when checked I was dilated to a five and told that the baby was really low and that the head could even already be seen. Sara stayed with me, even though starting the day out she hadn’t even planned on being with me, much less during the birth. Tera arrived I think about 8:30pm, much to Sara’s relief, who I had compressing my lower back. At some point I was checked and told I was at seven cenimeters, and then later when checked again I was still at seven. I was not happy; those last three centimeters felt impossible. If I’d been in a hospital there’s no way I would have passed on an epidural. Laura was another staff member who attended the birth, and though I’d never even seen a picture of her before I really felt a connection with her and appreciated her just holding my hand and saying all the encouraging things she did. All the women who were with me were truly wonderful in their encouragement and helping me handle both mentally and physically, though I can’t say I handled it the greatest. I learned something about myself: I’m the loud type of laboring woman. It was like what I needed to do, and I thankfully was made to feel comfortable. Compared to the birth of my first at a naval hospital, I can’t even begin to say how much better I was made to feel through the whole thing.
My husband called frequently, and Sara would talk to him and give him updates, (and try to shelter him from hearing me. haha) When it was finally go-time, I was sooo ready to get it over with. Pushing was only about ten minutes, and then arrived Hannah Glory Arnold at 9:39pm on May 9th, 2009. (So from the time I arrived it only took two hours!) Stephen called right as she was coming out and got to hear her first cries and all. I was overwhelmed and in disbelief that my labor was basically over –it felt AMAZING to be finished! Of course, I was so happy to meet my new daughter, but I was practically in shock from what I’d just done. The pushing and crowning were a cake-walk; it was going from seven to ten that drove me crazy. I birthed on a stool and had no tears, which I was also ecstatic to hear. With my first, who’d I gotten an epidural with, when I was stuck at seven, I had a couple tears and limped for a month after the birth. This time I was on my feet in what seemed like no time.
The recovery for me is probably the biggest thing that has me sold on this whole natural childbirth stuff. I plan/hope to have more kids, and I can’t see myself ever going back to a hospital. That said, I KNOW that once I’m at that last couple centimeters part, I’m going to be yelling, “Why didn’t I go to a hospital! I want an epidural!” (However, I more so believe that for me, that’s just something I need to be allowed to say without it meriting anything.) Nevertheless, it was a good experience. The only thing I’d change is to have had Daddy there. I ended up leaving at 2:30am, only six hours after arriving, as I’d bounced back so well. Of course, I could have stayed the night, but I wanted to be home for my other daughter when she woke. Lily took an interest in Hannah right away, although it took a couple days for her to adjust, some of which I think was more an adjustment to having her grandma around spoiling her.
As I write this, I’m preparing to send Kathy off in a couple days and go at it alone until August when Stephen is set to return. I feel ready, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, but I know if it wasn’t for Best Start I would not be in this state. I am so thankful for having a natural birth; and I’m utterly speechless by the wonderful recovery I’ve had as a result. I will definitely plan to someday return to Best Start for baby number three.

Donovan's Birth

What a beautiful evening this day was and still is alive in my heart each time I lay eyes upon Donovan. Arriving at the birth center I remember entering through the door and into a womb all my own. Awaiting my husband and I was the loving presence of Ruth. Having birthed my first child in a hospital and my two other children at home I came into this experience with no expectations other than the experience of birth itself. Birthing Donovan at the birthing center was the most loving, caring, patient and trusting experience I have had thus far surrounding birthing my babies. From the moment I arrived Ruth's presence surrounded me with a loving care and trust that touches deep within a mother's heart and soul. She allowed me to rest and just flow with the waves of labor as they came and went. Being in the birthing center truly felt like I was the one in the arms of the great mother. When I spoke either with words or with body language I was understood on all levels of being. Relaxing in the water against my love, my husband, I was able to fall into laughter and totally surrender as I entered the focus of birthing forth our son. Ruth's loving motherly voice led me through the birth and gave my husband and my eight year old son the security a faith that all was well and all was as it should be, beautiful and powerful. Seeing and feeling my husband's unstoppable tears flow endlessly as he fist layed eyes on his son and feel in love just added to the sacredness and beauty of it all. The love and care that Ruth & Kathleen so generously and effortlessly gave to me, the baby and my husband was beyond heart warming. Kathleen was so attentive and loving with us as we rose from the water back to the realm of gravity as we stayed our last few hours in the ultimate mother's womb of the birth center. It is was and continues to be such a beautiful gift of birthing at Best Start Birth Center. Of all the environments I have had to honor to birth in this was the most sacred and caring environment I have been in.. A experience and memory I will cherish always in all ways.

Thank you so much Ruth & Kathleen. Thank you so much to the other beautiful midwives who gave me my prenatal care, all the wonderful kind staff & Thank you Lora for your home visit that was full of smiles, great laughter and a shared love of family.

With Love, Gratitude & The Deepest Respect

Candice

This pregnancy was rougher than my first in that I found out I was GBS positive. Because of the Gestational Diabetes I thought for sure I couldn’t deliver here, but the staff midwives were so relaxed and positive about it. They helped my with a diet plan and exercise regiment that helped me control the diabetes. I went over my due date by a few days and was very nervous, I would be needing to be induced, but Roberta gave me some helpful advice on taking Black Cohosh and stripped the membranes and I went into labor at 2:00AM the next morning. I came straight to Best Start to get my antibiotics shoot but ended up only getting one as the labor progressed very quickly. I arrived at 4:30 AM and by 7:00 AM, my son was born in the tub, weighing 9lbs. 9oz. I only pushed for 5-10 minutes and didn’t tear at all, which is what had me scared most knowing he’d be on the larger side. Since I only got one dose of antibiotics, the baby needed blood work, but he’s fine. His water bag didn’t break until he was ready to crown, so he was fairly well protected. I had a good experience here and felt as relaxed as you can feel under the circumstances. The shorter labor was nice, but were just happy he’s here.

On the morning of December 22nd I woke up and felt a contraction, different then the Braxton-Hicks I had been expecting, because it was my lower back. Being my third pregnancy I recognized it as a “real” labor contraction. I tried to go about my day ignoring them as long as possible. I finished up some Christmas shopping, played monopoly with my older daughter, etc. At about 12:30 I could not ignore them any longer. So I told my parents who were visiting that I was leaving to “take care of some things.” They knew instantly I was in labor. I called the midwife on call, which was Roberta, and we planned to meet at 1:45 at the birth center. It was raining hard that day. My husband and I drove around waiting for 1:45 to go in. When I went in Roberta check me and I was 3-4 cm with a bulging water sac. The contractions had progressed to 3-5 minutes apart. We checked into the birth room, the same room where I had delivery my two other daughters ( Meling & Maggie). Roberta offers that she could break my membrane and it would be an okay thing to do, I was in favor of this because I knew I was progress things factor. So she did and I instantly was 5-6 cm. From that point I was standing at the end of the bed through each contraction with my husband massaging my lower back through the contractions. After about 30-40 minutes of these intense contractions. I was now about 9 cm. My husband recommended that I get on all four (hands and knees) because it was how I delivered my last daughter. I couldn’t recall so I took his recommendation. After about 3-5 heavy pushes she was born, Molly Noel. I was pretty relaxed after and laid with her on my chest. After about an hour I was ready to shower and go home. My parents, sister and daughters came to have dinner with us and meet Molly after four hours we went home and it has been baby bliss ever since.

Aili Linnea LeHolm decided it was time to come into the world while I was playing cards with my family. I was sitting on a birth ball playing a card game and at 8:45 pm I noticed a surge with more umpf to it than my normal Braxton Hick’s surges. I made a mental note of it and kept playing. During the time sitting on the ball the surges were about 10 minutes apart and very manageable with breathing. I felt some pressure in my cervix, because my bag of water was bulging (coming out in front of her head) but that was the only discomfort I felt. I kept thinking, maybe this is it, but since they were only 10 minutes apart, I figured we had a while.

At 10:19 pm I went into the bedroom to lie down. I had a surge, vomited, had several more surges, then I started to feel shaky, so I went into the bathtub to warm up. While in the bathtub I felt urges to push, so my husband Robert called my midwife Jude to make sure she could be there by the time we arrived. We only live 4 minutes from the Birth Center, so that was important! We relaxed at the house a little longer and put all of our stuff to take into the car. My family was staying with us, so they were a little nervous, but when I came out of the room, everyone was wondering if I was really in labor or not. The whole time at home it felt very surreal. I didn’t feel like I was in labor, but my body was telling me different. I had no pain and my mind was relaxed. I felt very confident.

We arrived at the Birth Center sometime around 11:15 pm. I was examined and was dilated to 7 cm. They admitted me and we relaxed in the room while Jude prepared to deliver the baby. We planned to release my water if my bag was bulging, so at 11:50 pm, we did that. Immediately I was prepared to give birth. The pressure was gone, and I felt like I could do anything. Surges were unimportant then. I went into the bathtub to prepare for a water birth and felt urges to push.

I started to breathe the baby down, but felt there was something wrong. Since this was my second natural birth, I knew what was supposed to happen. With my first birth, once my water was broken, it took 20 minutes to progress from a 6cm-birth. I was at 10 cm for 10-15 minutes and decided to get out of the tub and try different positions to get the baby to move down. I still felt very calm, but a little irritated that it wasn’t going just so. After about 20 minutes of trying different positions her head finally came out. While her head was out, my midwife Jude had me do several other positions. The baby had a compounded nucal hand—which means her left arm was above her face reaching to her right side. This made it almost impossible to get her out. I had to do some hard pushing, but I still felt controlled and calm. After almost 2 minutes with her head out Jude tried to pull her hand out manually, but we had used castor oil to lubricate my perineum, so she couldn’t get a good grip. Finally it worked, and as soon as her arm was out of the way, she popped right out. 4 hours from start to finish. She was a little purple, and her capillaries burst on her face, but she was pretty much perfect. We had to give her a little oxygen to make sure she was ok, but in hindsight I don’t think she needed it. She just doesn’t cry when she is awake! She was born 1 week and 1 day late at 12:50 am on December 23rd. She was 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long. Her head was 14 inches around.

It was a fantastic birth without fear or pain. The entire time I was wide awake. We even laughed because in between surges I was wondering what everyone at home was doing. I know that my HypnoBirthing class with Carol Yeh-Garner was essential in my awesome birth. Also, my midwife Jude, I couldn’t have asked for a better midwife. She trusted me and helped me to do what I need to do to not have interventions. Best Start Birth Center is the only place I want to have my babies. Both of my children were born there, and even in the same room!

Aili is now 11 weeks old, and still an angel. She sleeps well, eats well and is the happiest baby ever when she is awake.

I went to the birth center when my contractions were 4 minutes apart, 1min long lasting for one hour. At this time, I was only 2 cms dilated, so I was advised to go home. Instead my son’s father (birth coach), birth support team, and I had a strenuous walk in the soft sand of mission beach. This was a very efficient time for my body, as my contractions significantly increased in the intensity during this time my birth coach called BSBC and described my demeanor and contractions. We were invited back to the birth center. We arrived at 7:30am. I was now 4 cm dilated and much more serious about labor. I tired out the shower for a short while, but decided the tub would be more comfortable for me. While in the tub, I tired really hard to relax and let go loud, low-pitched moans during contractions. This turned into very piercing; screeching noises mixed in with other much necessary coping mechanisms. I briefly got out of the tub so that my water could be broken. Once this was complete, I immediately returned to the tub.
After 27 minutes of an intense pushing stage, I delivered my baby at 10:30am in the squatting position into the water. Adrian, intern, caught my baby from behind and handed him forward to his father, whom then lifted the baby from the water and placed him into my chest. This was the most exhilarating moment of my life! I laid back in the tub embracing my baby, chest to chest. At this point I thought that my baby was a girl (as informed by a dr. I was previously receiving care from). The Best Start crew could see that my expectations of giving birth to a girl would not actually come to fruition. However they didn’t ruin the surprise for me and the father. I was told to,” lift my baby up and take a good look”. Upon doing so I saw some unexpected anatomy. SURPRISE!! It’s a Boy!
I was allowed to go home shortly afterward. I felt great and was so lucky to take a nap with my son that afternoon in my own bed!! The recovery was amazing. My body bounced back and I had energy in no time. My son was alert and healthy. I’m so glad I had a natural birth. I couldn’t imagine giving birth any place other than BSBC, just the way nature intended!!

I first gave birth at Best Start Birth Center about two years ago which went really well. I left with such an extremely positive birth experience. With my second pregnancy, I was a little fearful that my second birthing experience would not be as ideal as the first. However, it was just as wonderful!

I went into labor early in the morning and labored throughout the day using the exercise ball, walking outside and eventually in the bath tub. When it was time to start pushing, I was able to have my son in the bath tub (which I was unable to do with my first son because there was meconium when my water broke). The entire experience went more smoothly then we could have hoped. It was neat that both my sons were born in the same room!

My husband and I have been thoroughly pleased with, the births of our two sons, as well as with all the midwives and nurses throughout my pregnancies and labors. The kindness and experience of all of the staff members positively contributed to our wonderful experiences. We have been so grateful for our opportunities to have our two healthy sons at Best Start.

 Joseph - born March 9, 2006 8lbs 10oz
 Jacob - born December 13, 2007 7lbs

View photos from Brooks' Birth >

On Friday, August 29th, I woke up with an alertness that I had not felt for quite some time. Though our due date was still 12 days away, I knew that morning that we were getting close to meeting our baby and I embraced this sensation as I popped out of bed and welcomed the day. I went to my chiropractic appointment that morning and told Dr. Joe that I was feeling the time was near. He felt the baby and agreed that the baby felt ready too. Upon returning home from my appointment, I wondered where that wakeful energy went that I greeted the day with- I felt exhausted! Obeying my body, I went back to bed and took a long nap. Listening to my body turned out to be just what I needed as that was the last bit of sleep I was going to enjoy for quite some time.

Since I was no longer working, I was able to attend a mid-day prenatal yoga class I had been looking forward to with my favorite instructor from Ginseng Yoga, Arati. I had been excited for this class all week and felt like it was just what my body needed in preparation for my birth. During class, through every breath and pose, I felt especially in tune with my body and my baby. Sure enough, at the end of class, I felt my first contraction, it was 1:00 PM. This sensation was unlike anything I had felt before; I decided it was time for a walk to help move labor along and help keep things calm. I wanted to avoid adrenalin since it could potentially prolong labor. I went to the beach and went for a long walk along the shore. Sure enough I experienced more contractions that caught my breath and made me focus on the horizon and breathing deeply. At the end of my walk, another contraction came that brought me down to a squat and convinced me that it was really happening!

On the way home I timed the contractions and they were consistently about 8-10 minutes apart. At home, I ate a large lunch and continued to stay clam and relaxed since I knew I would need all the energy I could reserve. I called my husband, Billy, and said that I thought he should think about coming home from work. We both knew early first stage labor could linger a long time and could even stall, so there was no sense of urgency.

When Billy got home we started timing the contractions, but then decided that this was not as important as just relaxing and letting my body tell us what to do. At this point, the contractions would make me lean on the counter top and concentrate on deep abdominal breathing. Walking and being upright felt the best between contractions. As the reality of this experience sank in we decided to take our last pregnancy pictures. The next step was deciding what to eat for dinner. We got some Pho and enjoyed dinner together, but when a contraction would come I had to stand and lean over. Sitting was becoming very uncomfortable.

We called Jude, the midwife on call at Best Start Birth Center, to check in and let her know that we were in labor. She agreed that we were doing all the right things and to call when we were ready to come in. Billy and I went for a walk around the neighborhood to assist my body in opening up. Then it was time to try to get some rest. We went to bed and Billy was able to get some sleep. The sensations were becoming more and more intense for me and were so strongly felt in my lower back that I could not do any side-lying. I found the yoga position “child’s pose” and rocking on my hands and knees to be the most comfortable. I was getting more and more deeply focused on abdominal breathing, moaning and visualizing my cervix opening with each contraction.

At around 10 PM the contractions intensified to a point that I had to wake Billy saying that I needed his help. Having never given birth before we were not entirely sure how far along in the first stage of labor we were. Earlier in the day a neighbor who had recently had a baby shared her story of laboring at home for 40 hours and arriving at the hospital only a few centimeters dilated- a story we had heard many times from many different women. We were fearful of the same happening to us; we wanted to labor in the comfort of our home as long as possible and minimize the potential of an extended labor at the birth center. We started really putting into action the techniques we had learned through the Bradley Method birthing class we had taken. We continued to labor in bed where Billy tried all the massage and relaxation techniques we had been practicing daily, but none of the pressure or positions were comfortable. My legs were shaking like crazy, so he just stuck to massaging them and giving me water between each contraction. Soon I needed a change, so we decided to get in the shower. This was such a relief! The hot water on my back was so soothing. I hung on Billy, got on my hands and knees and swayed under the warm flow. Billy was sure he was not going to get me out of the water, this is where I felt the best relief and did not want to get out, which he said was fine, but the water was soon to turn cold, so the shower had to come to an end. We walked through the house, which was becoming increasingly difficult since the sensations were so close together and my legs were fatiguing. When I started having bloody show it really took us off guard how much fluid there was. We called Best Start, Kel was now on call, she told Billy that everything sounded normal, to keep on laboring at home and that I would know when it was time to go. Watching for my emotional signposts, Billy was waiting to see a big change in my behavior as a signal that it was time. He gave me a shot of goo, which was hard to swallow, but really helped sustain my energy.

Back in bed on my hands and knees rocking and “Om”ing together, I was deeply inside myself and focused on getting through the sensations that now seemed to have no beginning nor end just high peaks and lower peaks! I was not speaking much, but around 1:45 I said I was ready to go. I had some doubt that I was far enough along, but I was having trouble staying relaxed during the contractions and was having some contractions made me feel out of control. The final straw was when I was grunting and feeling like pushing. Billy said that there was not an obvious physical sign or emotional change that had taken place that he could see in me. The contractions were steady and consistent but it wasn’t the arrival of a contraction that was more intense or noticeably different that told me that it was time to go, it was just trusting myself. When we were leaving Billy left my side for a moment and back to find me on my hands and knees at our front door, he was convinced that I was right and it was time.

The drive to the birth center is about 15 minutes long. The ride was terribly uncomfortable, which made me tense up. I experienced a few contractions, but they had separated a bit. We both worried that labor had stalled in the commotion of packing up and getting into the car. This part is a true testament to staying relaxed to keep labor progressing. To top it off, Billy took the wrong exit, which really upset me since this was the most trying part of the labor- it wouldn’t be a complete birth story if the husband didn’t take at least one wrong turn on the way to the birth center!

Written by Billy:
We arrived at Best Start Birth Center at 2:30 AM. Kel Shields, our midwife, met us at the door with a warm greeting, the lights in the room we were to birth in were set to a comfortable low level, there was a very inviting, calm, peaceful energy in the air. Kel promptly set up a birth ball for us to labor with but Yasmin announced that is was not comfortable to labor upright or to sit and she wanted to return to the hands and knees position that she had been in throughout most of active first stage. After the first contraction passed Kel examined Yasmin and said, “Well, it was nice of you to show up FULLY DIALATED…Let’s have this baby!” I will never forget her words, a great relief. We had worked through most of the labor in the comfort of our home as we set out to do. She noted that the bag of waters was still intact and this was the only thing keeping the baby in. We quickly changed gears and filled the bathtub for the birth. Kel lit candles and encouraged me to use a carafe to pour water over Yasmin, this proved to be very soothing. Kel’s birth assistant Laura arrived to help with the birth around this time. Kel and Laura were a great pair, very encouraging, and not at all intrusive. They allowed us to work together and respected that we were a team. It was clear that we had the same goals for the birth.

In the tub, Yasmin got into a squatting position to help the baby’s descent. After a couple pushes, the water broke, which felt great to Yasmin. Though she wanted to stay in the squatting position, her legs were too fatigued, we transitioned her into a position where she rested against the back of the tub drawing her knees up to push. In what seemed like a few pushes later the baby was crowning. We worked slowly, pushing only to comfort being cautious not to tear. Blood began to appear that was coming from an unrecognizable source. The baby’s pulse was checked after each contraction and appeared to be healthy. Kel calmly explained to Yasmin that there was bleeding, it was not clear what the source was, and that she wanted the baby to come out with the next push. With the next contraction Yasmin gave a determined push and at 3:45, only an hour and fifteen minutes after arriving at the birth center, Brooks Suarez was born into my hands. His eyes were wide open staring at me, his coloring was beautiful, and he let out a healthy cry. I moved him on to Yasmin’s body and we all spent some moments in awe staring at each other. I cut the cord, the placenta was promptly delivered and we were on our way to the bed to enjoy our new family! Brooks never left our arms. He breastfed successfully, right away! Everything was perfect!

When we made the decision to become parents we did so knowing that we would dedicate ourselves to the care of our child. We knew we always wanted to make knowledgeable decisions in our child’s best interests. When we discovered the advantages of natural childbirth, we knew we wanted to do everything in our power to give our child a start in life that he or she would benefit from for a lifetime. We feel blessed that our birth experience was one of success. We attribute this success to routine labor relaxation practice, furthering our education of pregnancy and childbirth, choosing a great birth team, healthy diets, exercise, and peaceful, harmonious living.

View Kanoa's Birth Photos >

I never imagined having a wonderful birth. I always pictured labor as this horrible, painful thing that every woman had to suffer. When I first found out I was pregnant with my first child, I was ecstatic! I wanted to do everything right. I remember when it was time to choose exactly where I wanted to give birth. My husband is in the military so I was basically assigned to a specific hospital for the duration of my pregnancy unless I got a referral to a civilian doctor. I remember watching some stories on TV about water births and the thought interested me. I searched for water births in the San Diego area and came across Best Start Birth Center's website.
This is when it started. I did some research and decided that I absolutely had to have a water birth at this birthing center! I really have no idea why I was into this. It seemed like this place viewed childbirth as a natural thing, something that wasn't as horrible as I envisioned! I liked the idea that I could do things my own way. My doctor put in a referral for Best Start and the rest is history!
My husband had to deploy at the end of May so we both accepted the fact that he was most likely going to miss the birth of our first child. This was one of the hardest things for me to accept so I had to ensure that I had the support I needed during labor and delivery. I had hired a Doula, Kristen, and she was wonderful throughout. I also had recruited my best friend, Sarah, and my sister-in-law, Stephanie, to accompany me during labor.
My due date was July 14, 2008. I went into labor on Sunday, July 6th at around 10:50am. I remember lying in bed, half asleep, when all of a sudden - I felt a "pop," almost as if someone put a needle to a water filled balloon. I actually could have sworn that I literally heard it from within. I went to the bathroom and immediately knew that my water had broke. With this being my first pregnancy, I didn't know what to expect. I remember wondering if the baby was coming within the next hour or so! I was frantic, trying to call everyone to let them know that it had started. I called the midwife at the birth center and she assured me that I could sit still for awhile, until the surges came. After speaking with her, I was much more relaxed as I prepared for what was next.
I made a phone call to my mom and Stephanie, who immediately began their 5 hour drive to San Diego, a phone call to Sarah, who left Palm Springs from a bachelorette party, and the phone call to Kristen, who was on her way to my house, to be with me. After contacting them, I called the Ombudsman from my husband's ship to let her know that I was in labor. She made some phone calls, in efforts to reach my husband during this time. I also e-mailed him, just in case I got to him sooner than she did.
I was so excited, it was hard to relax. I wanted to make sure everything was exactly how I wanted it. I even started cleaning before my guests arrived! Once Kristen arrived, she tried to get me to relax and told me to get some rest, both of which I could not do. I was so anxious, my butterflies had butterflies! After Sarah got there, the three of us just hung out, watched some TV, snacked on some food, made virgin margaritas, and waited some more.
At around 3:00pm, I started to feel my surges and they were getting really intense. Every time they came, I had to stop whatever it was I was doing to accommodate my body. Sometimes I would lean over the kitchen counter, and at other times, I would squat on the floor. I even used my exercise ball somewhere in between, which helped a lot. It was comforting and kind of fun, actually! I called the birth center to see if I should go in at that point and they said that it was up to me. Kristen kept on encouraging me, telling me she was really proud of the way I was handling the labor, which really boosted my confidence. After a couple more surges, I decided that I wanted to go to the birth center. I don't know what they could have done for me there, but I thought the change of scenery would definitely help.
Sarah drove us both to the birth center after joking about how crazy I was for even suggesting that I drive. I called my mom and Stephanie and told them that we left and were on our way to the birth center. Stephanie dropped her kids off with my mom at my place and headed to meet us.
We both arrived at around the same time. It was almost 4:00pm. It was nice to have everyone there. I finally felt a little relaxed, knowing that everything was going as I had hoped. When we got there, Stephanie and Sarah walked to a nearby store and grabbed some snacks for the evening. I set the room up just like I wanted it. I put the candles around the tub. I had some calm, relaxing music playing from my laptop. By around 5:00pm, I started to get uncomfortable. I walked around the birth center, walked outside, sat on the exercise ball - I did everything suggested to try to manage my discomfort. My husband called me from the ship at this time and continued to call every 30 minutes for updates.
Roberta, my midwife, arrived at around 8:00pm. I was so relieved when I saw her face. She was the one I had seen throughout most of my pregnancy at my checkups and was hoping she would be with me during the labor and delivery.
After around 9:00pm, things started to move a lot faster. Sometimes I would hand the phone off to Sarah or Stephanie so they could talk to my husband. I remember trying to use what I learned in my Hypnobirthing class, visualizing myself in another place. I had pictures of my husband and me in Hawaii in a small photo album that I continued to flip through during this time.
I got into the tub around 9:30pm and as soon as I got into the water, I felt so much more relaxed. I got to hang out in there for awhile until Roberta suggested that I move onto the bed for awhile until my labor progressed. The water was somehow slowing me down. I moved onto the bed and began pushing once I felt it was time. Once my son was crowning, I asked if I could go back into the water. I was pushing for about an hour and afterwards, was finally able to meet the 7.1 lb miracle that was growing inside of me. It was 1:34am. My husband was on the phone, being present throughout the entire birth.
After I saw him, everything I went through was absolutely worth it. I was able to have the birth I dreamed about. I remember in the weeks prior to labor, I visualized having him in the early morning hours. Maybe it was because that was the time he was always kicking! Everything I thought would happen happened. The atmosphere was perfect and to this day - I think back to this moment and have very fond memories of childbirth. The candles that I had around the tub are in my guest bathroom in my house and when I go in for a whiff every now and then - it brings tears of joy to my eyes.
I'm thankful that I didn't have any medications because afterwards, I was able to immediately bond with my son. We were both completely alert and aware of each other's presence, which was so magical.
When I tell people that I chose to have a water birth without the standard medications, they look at me in one or two ways! I'm either "crazy" or "brave." But when I hear other people telling their "horrible" stories of childbirth, it makes me so sad because I don't believe it should have to be this way. Then, I take a look at my experience and feel so blessed. It took awhile for me to change my perspective as well, but once I changed it - I was so thankful. Sometimes, you just have to know your options. Without knowing, you'll buy into what you think you "have" to do.
Most people are terrified from their previous experiences, fearing the birth of their next child. I totally look forward to having my next child as long as I can do it my way! It was an amazing experience that I will continue to savor for the rest of my life.

View Rachel Anne's Birth Photos >

Born on Thursday June 5th, 2008 at 9:27am
Weight: 7lbs.14oz.
Both of our daughters were born at Best Start Birth Center. I had such a wonderful water-birth experience with my first daughter Christian (born on 9-27-2006) that I didn't think twice about where I would go to deliver when I found out I was pregnant with Rachel. My labor with Rachel went very quick. I lost my mucus plug on Thursday morning around 4am. I told my husband Jason not to go into work that day after I started having short intense contractions. I called Roberta around 7am and told her what was up. She told me to come in. I called my mom, who lives about five minutes away, and told her to drive to our house to get my older daughter. After she arrived, Jason and I made the twenty minute drive down to the birth center. My contractions were very intense while on the road and I had to put my feet on the dashboard and couldn't decide whether I wanted the A/C on or off. When we arrived at Best Start, my water broke as I was preparing to get out of the car. My husband helped me inside and I was immediately taken to birthing room #1 (the one to the right of the main entrance). I was already 9 cm dilated! The tub was quickly filled and I thankfully "dove" into the soothing warmness of the big Jacuzzi tub. Both times I have given birth; the experience has been the same: the warm water takes away all the intense uncomfortable feelings that come with the contractions. My husband sat by the side of the tub and Roberta and other midwives helped me while I pushed and delivered a beautiful baby girl at 9:27am (We had only been at the center for about a half an hour!) The center requires a stay of 4 hours after the birth of the baby, so I spent the time nursing Rachel while Jason filled out paperwork and called family. My mom came with my daughter and younger brother who was about to graduate from high school the next day. My daughter reacted well to the new baby. All in all I had a great experience and I thank everyone who helped me! I am also thankful to God for his rich blessings and for allowing me to have a healthy delivery with no complications. Thank you Best Start! - Marlena & Jason

View Dylan's Birth Photos >

Wednesday, June 4th 2008
I had been counting down the days for what seemed like forever now; I was 9 days overdue and had been having only very slight teaser contractions for about two weeks, maybe longer, but nothing consistent or serious. Matt kept asking me what my gut feeling on when I thought it would be, of course I hoped every contraction was the real thing but I had no idea at all. I had started taking Black Cohosh since my appointment at the birth center that Monday and I had my ‘membranes swept’ to try to get things moving; at that time I was between 1 and 2 cm dilated but not completely effaced. Just in case I still didn’t start labor by the following Monday, which would be 42 weeks, I had to make an appointment at my backup physician for a check up and to schedule an induction for the following week – which would mean that I would then have to throw my whole birth plan out the window since I would no longer be able to do an all natural birth at the birth center with the midwives. My appointment was the next day, Thursday June 5th at 8:15am.

Thursday, June 5th
I awoke at 6:15am with a pretty significant contraction and as I rolled over to get out of bed, I felt a gush of warm fluid, I thought might be my water breaking, but I wasn’t too sure since I knew that in actuality water breaking prior to delivery was pretty rare. I got up to pee and wash my face and as I was standing there I felt a few more little trickles, so I was more convinced at that time. I knew that if I wanted to keep things going I needed to keep moving so I called my mom and began pacing the living room and kitchen, trying not to wake Matt. I started cleaning and then took a shower, all the while timing contractions, which were for the first time consistently about 10-12 minutes apart. I still had that appointment but was slowly thinking (and hoping) I wasn’t going to need it after all. First mistake I made was not eating a big meal when the contractions were minor, I only had a donut and milk; I was still doubting that this was finally the real thing.

I called Roberta at Best Start and told her the situation, hoping she would say to just stay at home and come in when the contractions got closer and more intense but she said instead to keep the appointment and if things were really progressing and I was in labor then I could just come down there (the doctor’s office and birth center were close together). I had really wanted to labor at home as long as possible before heading to the birth center, but I knew that just in case this was not the real thing, or it stopped, it was important that I meet with Dr. Blake and get the induction scheduled. As Matt and I were on our way downtown, my contractions were about 5 – 7 minutes apart and I had a towel under my butt because with every couple contractions I would lose more fluid. Luckily Matt suggested I call the dr. office and let them know we were going to be late and they said that if you are more than 15 min late (we were) they won’t take you. I called the birth center and told them the update and I was told to just come in to the birth center since we were on our way and they would check me out there.

By the time we got to the birth center, the contractions were much more uncomfortable, I had to pause every time and I probably looked pretty funny walking in there, shuffling my feet, leaking amniotic fluid down my legs and pausing to lean against things during the contractions. There were two other women in the rooms downstairs so we got the big room with the Jacuzzi tub upstairs, which I was really hoping for since I planned on having him in the tub. Also, the main midwife and CEO of the birth center, Roberta, was working along with a super cool midwife in training, Adrienne, whom I had met at my last couple visits and I really wanted them to be the ones to deliver my baby so I was a happy camper, my timing, or I should say, his timing, turned out to be just right. As we walked in, the girls at the front desk saw me coming in and told me to go on up to the room and wait for Roberta to come up and check on me.

As we waited upstairs, I soaked through my undies, my skirt, the towel and the top cover of the bed I was sitting on. I started breathing through the contractions; they were getting more intense but still very tolerable with a little deep breathing, Matt helped by rubbing my back and reminding me to breath every time. Roberta came up and asked how I was doing and then Adrienne came up and examined me – I was 3 to 4 cm dilated, Dylan had a good steady heartbeat and we were told that maybe we should go and waste some time; Matt suggested we go and get lunch and go over to Balboa Park. I was not hungry at all, in fact I felt somewhat nauseous at the more serious contractions and I really just wanted to stay where I was comfy and there was a bathroom I could run to every few minutes, but I realized it could be hours and figured it was a good idea to do things to keep labor progressing (eating and walking) and to keep myself distracted and Matt preoccupied.

The first stop was Rite Aid where Matt ran in and bought me some adult diapers like the midwives suggested because I was like a faucet not quite turned off, and, leaking amniotic fluid had the same effect as putting your hand in warm water - I had to pee constantly! We then drove downtown to Subway and picked up some sandwiches – Matt ran in and I stayed in the car, hanging on to the car’s ceiling handle, and breathing through the contractions; driving back to Balboa Park was torture on the bumpy, construction-riddled streets of downtown San Diego. Once we got to the park, I already had to change my diaper; thank goodness I had worn a long skirt! Matt held onto me and we walked/shuffled over to one of the tables and sat down to eat and check out the super ballsy squirrels that practically came right up onto the table when they saw we had food – food I could not stomach, I tried to take a bite but instantly spit it out, I only was able to drink some of the root beer. I had to change again and we began walking around and stopped to ‘slow dance’ through the contractions. We stopped in the garden to sit for a spell and it felt nice sitting in the sun on this beautiful day and I took a moment to reflect on how lucky I felt to be in this place, in this town on such a beautiful day with the man that I love only hours before we finally meet the little one that has been kicking me for months now. When we finally made our way back to the car and I changed again, I was able to get down a couple pieces of fruit and we started to make our way back – Matt suggested we stop at the dog park but I’d had enough.

When we got back to the birth center, the large room upstairs was still open so we went up and waited to get checked out again. I think I was about 4 cm and 90% effaced; by that time I was in what is referred to as ‘labor land’ - I would doze off between contractions and was just dealing with each contraction as they came. I could hear everything going on around me but was not really participating, and thankfully I had Matt there to remind me to breath and Roberta and Adrienne to remind me to keep my lips and shoulders loose because I had a tendency to hold my breath or keep my face and shoulders all clenched up. The next few hours flew by for me and the contractions were coming closer and closer together, I had given up on timing them entirely and sometimes it felt like they would come back to back, all I wanted to do was sleep but the only position I could really tolerate was sitting on the edge of the bed, (standing was horrible and laying down was just as bad). Roberta suggested that I give laying down on my side a try again since the change of position might help speed things up, at that point I could have cared less what would speed things up, I was more concerned with being as comfy as possible – although that was seemingly more and more impossible to accomplish, even the so-called ‘break’ between contractions was simply a duller version of the contraction – but I was so exhausted, I decided to lie down after all, but before I did, Adrienne checked me and I was at 6 cm. I laid down on my side and started groaning through the contractions – I told myself I wouldn’t be extremely vocal but I was at the point where I didn’t care how I sounded, modesty is something you lose at some point during labor, it is such a basic animalistic process where you are just listening to your body and going with the flow and the flow was do what is comfortable, and if groaning and being vocal is what that took, fine with me. Time flew by and before I knew it I was having the pushing contractions, I told Adrienne that I felt like I had to poop and she told me that’s fine it meant he was descending down into the birth canal and it was okay to push. Matt went to get Roberta and Adrienne examined me one more time (these examinations were killing me – it is torture to lay back and stay still when these gnarly contractions are going on), I heard her say that I was 100% and ready to go! They got a move on getting the water going in the tub because it had only been about an hour or and hour and a half since I was 6 cm. As they got the tub ready, Adrienne told me to get on my hands and knees on the bed and I remembered from the birthing class to sway through the contractions, what felt so odd in the class made all the sense in the world now and it felt great. I was involuntarily pushing through the contractions, sort of half heartedly trying since I was afraid I would push him out right then and there – little did I know it takes a lot more than that! In just a few minutes the water was ready. Matt had changed into his trunks, and in between contractions, I got into the tub with the help of Roberta and Adrienne. When I lowered myself into the water, I felt like I was in heaven, the weightlessness, the warmth, Matt’s arms around me, it was awesome, I felt renewed and motivated to finish this.

This is when the real pushing began, this was different, and not what I had expected, I kind of was under the impression that once I got to this point, pushing just happened, just like the rest of the labor, I had underestimated my role in this part of the process – up to this point I had just coped as best I could but now it was up to me to get this baby out into the world. Having the midwives there to tell me how to push, how to bear down, was invaluable. The first two pushes, Roberta had me hold onto her hands and pull but then she got a mirror so we could see what was going on (I also think I might have almost pulled her into the tub) I started watching through each of the pushes and I could finally see his head start to show, twice I pushed as hard as I could and twice his head became visible, but then the contraction would end and they said it’s okay to let him go back (in the meantime, I’m thinking ‘no, it’s not!!’) I had to stop looking at the mirror because I got so discouraged when it felt like I was stretched to the max and yet only saw a tiny bit of progress, plus the water makes everything look distorted so it was hard to judge how much head was out each time. So I closed my eyes and just pushed with all my might through each contraction. There was a total of about four times that his head came close to coming out and I felt the intense burning before I had to let him go back and try again. After every contraction, Adrienne checked his heartbeat; he was totally calm and collected through the whole thing. I vaguely remember hearing Adrienne tell me when to slow down and not push and breathe again (they were easing out the shoulders) and then I heard Roberta say “hold out your hands” and I thought she meant for me to feel the baby’s head and I actually told her “no, I’m busy!” She said “no, take your baby” and I was like ‘????!” and looked down immediately and saw Dylan’s upper torso in the water! I reached under his arms and pulled him out, through the water and into the air. It seemed like slow motion as his perfect little face with big dark open eyes staring at us came out of the water, he was all clean and pink. I pulled him onto my chest and Matt and I embraced him as he lay there gurgling just a bit, working out the fluid, still serenely staring at us, seemingly unperturbed by the whole situation. It was 7:57 pm. The tub was drained, Matt cut the cord and they withdrew the cord blood to be banked before the placenta was delivered, which I hardly remember, understandable I suppose since I was preoccupied by the little wonder lying on my chest. We got out of the tub and made our way to the bed, where Dylan was once again on my chest, and he stayed for hours, until we were ready to let him be weighed. After I was stitched up (I had torn above the birth canal but my perineum, thankfully, was intact), Dylan began to nurse with no problems after a little help with the crossover hold from the midwives’ assistant. Matt and I left the birth center at around 12:30am and went home as proud, happy, exhausted parents!

View photos from Coral's birth >

8 lb. 2 oz, 20 1/2 inches long
We moved from Puerto Rico back to SD to care for my mom in law, Sandy who fought hard with cancer. The day after she went to be with the Lord I found out I was pregnant. We decided we had to stay in SD until our baby was born because we wanted to go with Best Start for every thing. I had such a great first birth experience with them.
My pregnancy went great. I continued to surf up till 4 months, then would swim or walk. On March 6, I went into labor with my first baby girl, and my second Best start baby. I started to feel the familiar mild contractions early in the morning. I was so excited because the 5th was my due date, and when it came and went, I was nervous. Around 8 am on the 6th I called Roberta and we both decided it was the beginning of labor but it was not to close yet so I waited till 9 am to go to the birth center. I got to the birth center around 9:30. Yea! No one else in labor, I get to pick the room I want. I went for the up stairs suite. It’s so nice and private with the huge tub. Roberta checked me to see how dilated I was. Shucks only 2 cm. When I had my son Banyan I was already at 8 cm when I arrived at Best Start, 3 and a half years earlier. I thought I might be going home but when I asked Roberta if I would be having a baby today she said 'I think so! " Roberta is so sweet and confident and gave me so much peace about the whole birth experience. She recommended that my husband Shayne and I go for a walk or go get an early lunch at Jimmy Carters Mexican Cafe. I enjoyed a huevos rancheros! People there asked when I was due, and it was fun to tell them that "I was currently in labor and would be having her today". The contractions were a bit stronger but I knew it would be a while still. We went walking around Balboa park and sat in the grass talking about how this would be the last day we were parents of one child. We Cruised the park till about 2 p.m. then stopped at the flower shop and got a beautiful daisy to remind me to "open". When I got back to BSBC Roberta checked me again. Shucks, only about 3 cm this time, but she could feel the baby's hair. Hair? yea! She has hair! I was so excited to see her. (Banyan my first, was born bald.) We decided to get things moving by breaking the water. I called my mom to come down. She brought my dad, Son Banyan, and then my 2 brothers showed up. It was so cool having the upper room because all the guys hung in the living room area while I labored in the bed room and bath room. When the contractions started coming on stronger I moved in to the tub. The birth assistants were awesome, so helpful with getting cool rags for my head, any thing I needed, They were so great. The labor pains got worse. Shayne sat behind me, and I rested my arms over his knees, and squeezed my moms hand tight. It’s so crazy how painful the contractions can get then go away and I could talk and be totally normal. The warm water tub was soothing, and relaxed my muscles between contractions.
When I had my first Best Start child I had no idea what to expect, I tried to labor in the tub but it didn't feel right. I kept squirming wanting to escape from the pain. I finally gave birth to my 9 lb. son on my back on the bed after trying the toilet, birth chair, tub, and every position on the bed. I felt like I could not get him out. When his heart rate dropped and Roberta confidently coached me through getting him out after taking the chord from around his neck. I love how confident Roberta is in a mother’s ability to have a natural birth. He nursed right away and seemed to have a happy spirit. The birth was painful, but as soon as he was out I was euphoric, It was a beautiful experience, I had to do it again.
When I was in the tub laboring with Coral I would moan lowly at times and scream like a banshee at times. Roberta would coach me to blow with floppy lips. My brother later told me he thought I was battling and screaming like American gladiators, my dad thought I was dying. Im glad they got to experience a taste of what women go through with labor. The final stages went really fast when it was pushing time. I was embarrassed I pooped in the tub, but they fished it out . I kept apologizing for that. It’s strange to have no control of your body and feeling like your gonna push your guts out. I remembered that the worst pain was getting the head pushed out then it was easy after that. So when I started pushing I did it hard and fast. I think within 5 minutes I gave 2 or 3 big pushes and she came out in the water at 5:20 p.m.. She had her first bath and was all clean when she was put on my chest. I was totally elated overjoyed and kept thanking everyone and saying "Thank you Lord , Thank you Jesus" . She was so beautiful, with dark hair and eyes. The happiness I felt was unexplainable! It was cool having my mom there coaching me on she was so emotional along with Shayne, both were crying with joy. Shayne's mom Sandy had been there when Banyan was born. We felt like she was there with us this time also. It was really special to bond with Coral with the whole family there. She nursed right away, it was a crazy and beautiful birth experience, I loved laboring in the tub and having a water birth. Banyan loves his little sister so much and was so excited to meet her. I love best start and all the women that helped me through out my pregnancies. Thank you more than words can express! I want to have more best start babies, and I totally recommend best start to every momma to be!

By Shannon McIntyre,
Mommy to Coral and Banyan, Artist, and Host to TV Show "On Surfari"

Kachina Isabella's Birth Photos

Born: February 6, 2008
3:14 p.m.
7 lbs. 9oz.
20 ¾ in.
Written by Kate (mama)
Before I get into the story, let me back up a few steps to give you an idea of where my mindset was prior to giving birth. First of all, my best friend was also pregnant and due about a week before me. We had been attending pre-natal yoga together every Sunday (almost) at Yoga One from Arati, our very gifted instructor. We also took the HypnoBirthing course together at Best Start from France Wilson. All through my pregnancy, I had a feeling my daughter would be timely, if only slightly early, whereas my best friend Nanci kept saying her little girl would likely be a little on the later side (as she herself is often fashionably late). Nevertheless, I definitely expected my friend to experience childbirth before me. I told myself that I still had some time, since Nanci hadn’t given birth yet. I was caught off guard when one evening while watching t.v. , I seemed to “pee” my pants (a lot!). Apparently, my baby was getting ready for her grand entrance, so I figured I better finish packing my bag! I knew I had some time, though, because I was laughing and at ease about the situation. I slept, listened to my HypnoBirthing CD and practiced my breathing techniques through the night. The next morning, my boyfriend, James called Roberta at Best Start just to check-in and let her know what my status was at the time. She said I could come in so she could see how I was doing. We went in to the birth center and talked to her, and she said she thought I might be back that evening or possibly the next morning. The next day happened to be Super Tuesday, and I remember commenting that I really meant to vote this time! James and I talked about how funny it would be if the baby were born that day, which was also Fat Tuesday, because her birthdays would coincide with Mardi Gras celebrations (Oh Boy!). When we left Best Start, James drove me to Filippi’s in little Italy to get a yummy cheese sandwich. Then, we went home to enjoy each other’s company (as Roberta had wisely instructed us to) until it was time to return to the birth center. Time passed and I practiced my pre-natal yoga, listened to Rainbow Relaxation and Birth Affirmations, watched the Best of SNL-Chris Farley and other shows to “increase my endorphins”, tried to sleep, went for a very long short walk and waited for a notable change. At about 3:30 a.m., I woke James up and made him call Kel. He described to her how I was feeling, and it all sounded normal, so we resumed what we were doing, waiting again for something resembling the labor scenes I had seen in the movies. That dramatic moment never came, but morning did and in anticipation of my impending weekly appointment, I had James call Best Start once again to check-in. They told him to bring me in for my regularly scheduled appointment, which would probably put me more at ease. We got in the car, and went to the birth center. They took me right into a room (I was so happy I didn’t have to weigh myself!). Only moments later, I heard the words calmly spoken by Roberta, “You’re about 8 centimeters dilated”. It was a cool day for San Diego, so I waited while the heaters were turned on upstairs in the birth room. James went home to pick up our bags and was back before I knew it. It turned out our daughter was going to be born on Ash Wednesday. They filled the tub and I got in as soon as possible! The warm water was incredibly relaxing. I highly recommend it! James set up my laptop to play the HypnoBirthing CD, followed by my personal playlist, which included everything from rap to country! This part seemed to whiz by for me. Basically, I focused on my breath and listened to what my body was telling me. I put every confidence in my midwife, Kel, who had suggested to me at my appointment the week before, that I consider the possibility that giving birth could be a beautiful experience. I had been open to that possibility, and I was noticing how natural and beautiful this process was turning out to be. My midwife assistant, Matea was monitoring the baby’s and my vitals. James was in charge of music, hydration, and moral support. Kel told me to let her know when I felt the urge to push, and I did. Kel, Matea, and James encouraged me through the pushing. Kel kept telling me she knew how much hair the baby had in order to help motivate me. At 3:14 p.m., our sweet baby was born. Kel told me to reach in the tub and pick up my daughter, Kachina. I picked her up onto my chest and smiled. I was beaming with such enormous love for her. Her daddy called to her, “Kachina”, and she turned her head toward his voice and opened her eyes. She was peaceful and calm. I felt so much joy that she was finally in my arms. We waited until the umbilical cord stopped pulsing, and then James cut the cord. James held her as I got out of the tub. She snuggled right up to him. Shortly after, Matea weighed and measured her. She was 7lbs. 9oz., which James and I laughed about because we had talked to her while she was in the womb about being around 7 1/2lbs. (not too big and not too small). She was very close. James started calling family to announce our exciting news. A few hours later, we were heading home with our beautiful daughter, a true blessing from God. I am incredibly thankful to my partner, James for his support and love. He wasn’t too sure about a water birth, pre-natal yoga, or HypnoBirthing at first, but he put his faith in me. We are both so happy that we went to Best Start and were able to deliver our baby as a natural water birth. I am so appreciative to both Kel and Matea for their care in the delivery of my baby. It was as Kel said, “a beautiful experience”. The Best Start birth center staff was supportive throughout my entire pregnancy. My pre-natal care and delivery experience were more amazing and wonderful than I could have ever expected.

Coral Sierra
Born: 2/4/08 at 1:23am
7lbs 10oz - 19.5 inches
Written by Rosie: Mother
It was Saturday 2/2/08, two days before the birth of our little girl, Coral Sierra (FYI: we kept the gender a surprise). My due date was 2/7/08 and I felt the strong need to spend some quiet introspective time with the baby in my belly so I attended prenatal yoga with my favorite teacher at Ginseng Yoga. With the chaos of chasing after Coral’s 22 month old brother Toby, I had only attended a few prenatal yoga classes, which were a weekly ritual during Toby’s pregnancy. In the class, there were 3 of us who were term (39-40 weeks) and our teacher stated, “there is a storm coming to town this weekend, I predict babies will be coming!” Sure enough, early labor contractions started that evening…after attending Le Chandeleur (a French crepe party) and Cirque du Soleil – Corteo (which ended up being our last date before the new baby). We arrived home at around 11pm and at about 2am I started to have mellow yet consistent (every 5-20 minutes) contractions. I started logging the intervals and woke up my husband just to let him know what was happening. This being my second birth, I knew there was plenty of time. The contractions were almost welcomed as they were not that intense and I was sleepy and having nice visions/ hallucinations of mandalas and swirls. I lit one of the birthing candles which I had given out at my baby shower for guests to light when my labor started. The candle soothed me through the night and created beautiful reflections on the dark bedroom walls. I relaxed in a nice hot shower around 4am which felt great and then continued contracting back in my bed. The position that felt best was either “Child’s Pose” or on my hands and knees rocking side to side. I knew I needed sleep and rest but excitement kept me up most of the night, especially after I lost my mucous plug in the wee hours of the morning. I was enjoying this early labor time alone, while Ben slept in Toby’s room. I was dreaming about the baby and really meditating on what my body was going through. I felt like a cow leaving the herd to labor in a far corner of the field. The next morning was Super Bowl Sunday and we went about our day as my parents and two sisters came over for the NY Giants vs. NE Patriots game. During all of this, like my yoga teacher said, the storm had come.
My solid birthing team consisted of my husband, Ben, who is an anesthesiologist and who had attended countless hospital births. Yes, his coworkers think I am crazy for not wanting an epidural. Fortunately, my husband agrees with and lovingly supports my natural birth decision. My mom and dad, Virginia and Robert, had 6 children, all born at home with midwives on “The Farm”. My older sister, Audrey, is a nursing student and coincidently was on her L&D rotation. She was also a doula and attended numerous births while working at a birth center in Santa Rosa for 6 years. Finally, my younger sister, Olivia, drove down in the rain that day from Santa Barbara to experience my birth and help out however possible. This experienced and loving support team was my birthing foundation.
Some people lose their mucous plug and still don’t deliver until days or even weeks later. I continued to have a mellow labor throughout most of the day, but come the last quarter of the Super Bowl, the contractions started to get more intense. Around 7pm, we called the phone tree of friends and family members and told everyone to light the birthing candle and to send warmth and love our way… the baby was coming. We had it under control so my parents went home to rest but they had their phone nearby. Toby, our 22 month old, was asleep with my husband while my sisters and I labored together throughout the night with the red labor candles as our only light. Olivia was the timer and recorder, and traded off with Audrey who was pressing on my lower back/sacrum when contractions intensified. I was in bed rocking on hands and knees making low “ooooooooo” sounds which became “ooooooopen” throughout the night, sending energy to my cervix to open with each contraction. I slept or rested in between contractions and this went on for a few hours. Then, contractions started to get really heavy and Ben, being a physician, checked to see how my cervix was progressing. I was about 2-3 cm. Wow, it sure felt like I had worked more than that! I needed to stay focused and strong…this could go on for a while. The rain continued to pound on the windows. Audrey recommended I get out of bed and start walking around. She knew her stuff, so we set off doing laps, a slow shuffling of my feet, around my small house. Around 10pm, I started contracting really intensely (notice I psychologically, never use the word “pain” during this process rather “a very intense sensation.”). They were coming ever 2 minutes, lasting for 1 minute. The three of us were “oooooopen” chanting together as I hung on Olivia’s neck (a birthing rope would have been nice, but a strong sister was great too) and Audrey pressed down hard on my lower back. After almost an hour of this, I was fatiguing, I couldn’t go on like that for much longer. Ben checked me around 11:30pm I was 6cm. Yes, time to get to the Birth Center. We called my parents and they drove out in the rain to pick up Olivia and I. We were off. Ben and Audrey loaded up the other car with all the birthing bags and our sleeping little boy, Toby. I continued laboring in the car, on hands and knees, with Olivia on “back pressing” duty – we slowly raced to the Birth Center in the storm and arrived at 12:30am. Even as I entered the Birth Center I was still focusing on the contractions which were still coming every 2 minutes. We went into the warmed up front room, the familiar room that Toby was born in just 2 years earlier. Kel, our midwife was GREAT! She could see we had been doing well and the birthing team was on it. She took my vitals, checked the baby’s heart rate and offered to let us go about what we were doing, since it was going so well. I continued walking around, hanging on whoever was closest, mostly Ben by this time, during contractions, which were becoming almost unbearable (I found myself pounding Ben’s back when it got super intense). I was getting exhausted. I remember saying, “I can’t do this anymore.” Ben saw it in my eyes and recommended that I lay down and try to rest. The next contraction came with a tremendous wave of intensity. I must of sounded like a cow, I called out, “GET KEL!” The baby was crowning. Kel, took control. She and I focused into each other…she said to work with her to avoid tearing (I had a 3rd degree tear with Toby and didn’t want a repeat with this one). She said to pant, by breathing in shallow, quick breaths, everyone in the room did just that. The head came out, “we have the umbilical chord around the baby’s neck. Don’t push.” I waited, the chord was loose, and with a gentle push, the baby danced under the chord and into this world. It was 1:23am… 53 intense minutes after arriving at the Birth Center. Kel told me, “pick up your baby.” I grabbed the slippery little one and put her on my chest. She made a great sweet little cry, healthy, pink and alert. Ben says, “who are you?” as he looked between her modestly closed legs…it’s a GIRL!” We decided to name her Coral Sierra, a bit of ocean and a bit of mountains. She is an Aquarius after all and born during a great storm. She latched on, started to nurse, the placenta was delivered and there were no tears (well, a super small one that didn’t require stitches). We bonded, celebrated, and admired our little girl. I bathed and we rested. Grandma held Coral in the same rocking chair by the same fire that she had held Toby after his birth. But this time I slept in the bed nearby instead of spending 5 hours in the hospital getting stitched up. Ben took a shift and let grandma sleep in the back room while he fell asleep in the rocking chair, with his new little girl on his chest. Around 6am, Toby, who had been sleeping throughout the entire birth, woke up and felt at home in the Birth Center. He pitter pattered around playing with familiar toys from all of my prenatal visits. By 7am we were all ready to go home! The sunrise was gorgeous with the storm clouds passing and reflecting orange and pink…welcoming the new life.

Written by Ben: Father

Coral Sierra entered the world at 1:23am on 2/4/08. Mama started contracting at about 4pm. The crew of Grandma Gin, Grandpa Rob, Auntie Olivia, Auntie Auda, and Papa helped out as she rapidly moved Coral along. At 12:30am, we arrived at the birth center 6 cm dilated, and 53 minutes later Coral was born. We all rested until the sun rose and were back home by 7am for celebration and rest. Much love to you all!Love, Ben, Rosie, Toby, and Coral


Written by Robert and Virginia Gleser: Grandpa and Grandma

It was a dark and stormy night that the princess chose to make her grand entrance. During the Super Bowl the family watched enthralled while the teams battled it out, making history playing one of the more exciting well played games everrrrrr. Meanwhile her highness watched from behind her chair which she used to lean on and support her while she integrated her contractions. Everyone was involved in the game while occasionally noticing the early labor. Grandma Ginn or Nana [Toby's new and probably permanent name for G ma] played with Toby taking in short snatches of the game when Toby liked seeing the ball passed down the field. When the game dramatically ended we all noticed that Rose was 2 cm. dilated and rushing from 8 to 10 minutes apart. R and G decided to head to Audrey's for a nap while Audrey and Olivia stayed on watch with Rose and Ben. At 11:50, we received the call that Rose was 5 cm. and coming on. We hopped in the car and onto the empty freeways, arriving at their house in 15 minutes picking up the rain when we neared their home. Rose and Olivia rode in our roomy van and Ben with Toby and Audrey rode in the Prius to the birthing center. The midwife, Kell [short for Kelly], was on hand to greet us, warming up the comfortable, homey room and making it cozy, the same room where Toby was delivered almost 2 years earlier. The rain beat down and the wind blew as the low continued to move over Ca. When Kell checked her, Rose was at 6 cm and coming on nicely. Before long she was crowning and a few minutes later Coral Sierra made her appearance. The cord was loosely around her neck and with Rose breathing in short pants, Kell eased the cord over her body and she danced smoothly and gracefully into Mamma Rose's arms. She let out a sweet cry and turned a rosy pink. She knew how to suck from the start. What a gentle and serene presence she has. She even had a few smiles to pass out to her adoring family. Big brother, Toby, slept peacefully throughout the night in a familiar place. When he awoke, he wanted to explore the hallways, see his baby pictures on the wall and play with the toys that he knows well from Rose's pre natal visits. Unlike Toeies birth B and R were able to relax and enjoy their newly born angel. After four hours of rest , the midwife's assistant checked out mom and baby, pronounced everyone fit and able, so we loaded up the cars and brought everyone home to play with the baby, rest and eat scrumptious meals. It was early morning as the sun was making its appearance on a sparkling, clear, blue-sky day, the storm clouds far off to the East billowing on the horizon. Ben buried the placenta under the Coral tree in the front yard and Jasmine, Toby's godmother, brought bean soup for Momma Rose and crew. Toby and Coral exchanged gifts. Toby loved playing with his tinker toy set and ABC puzzle and he gave Coral a bracelet of red and pink hearts with mirrors. When you ask Toby who gave him the gifts, he points to Coral. How sweet is that? Last night everyone slept well, catching up from an exciting night on the town with Coral Sierra. Much love and warm hugs and kisses, Ginn and Robert

We came in at 9:00pm on Saturday 2-2-08 and to my surprise I was 10cm dilated. With a bulging water bag, we were able to pick our room. I was happy we had the first room and we set up our worship music by Chris Tomlin and a nice candle. I wanted to get in the shower because my body was sore. We were waiting for the water bag to break on its own. We did lunges and squats and we began to pray. My mom and best friend were in the labor room to assist. I was able to eat, move and relax. We were able to wait on the Lord Jesus to wait for the water bag to break on its own and Vicente Koa Dollete Conquering Warrior’s head popped the water bag and at 12:24 he came out. Praise to the Lord. We had an awesome birth experience with Roberta and Christina. Thank You.

We had the most wonderful birthing experience with Best Start! Little Max decided he wanted to hang out inside Mommy longer than we expected, so at 42 weeks we decided to break my water. In the weeks leading up to the birth, we were treated with the utmost respect and care by all of the staff at Best Start. The midwives urged us to relax and gave numerous natural remedies to help jumpstart the birthing process.

After my water was broken- we started labor 10 hours later. We labored for 12 hours under the watchful eye of Roberta and two birth assistants. We were allowed to wander around, play our relaxation CD on repeat and do what we needed to remain comfortable.

The staff that attended our birth was very gentle, encouraging, supportive, and caring. Maximus was born at 8:15 am- the perfect ending to the perfect birthing experience. I wouldn’t have done it any other way!!!

Ryan, Helen, and Max

Aniya's Birth Photos >

My birth experience started on a Friday night, we had friends over so I didn't feel any contractions, our friends left at about 1am and at 2:15am my water broke I called the birth center and Roberta asked questions about my water breaking and my contractions. I told her they weren't that painful and about 10 minutes apart lasting for only a few seconds, then about 4:45am the contractions became more intense, I called Roberta again and she said to come on in to the birth center. At 5:15am when my husband and I got to the birth center I was dilated to 3 centimeters and Roberta asked if I wanted to go into a room and get comfortable. I said no and remained in the waiting room until 6am when other nurses arrived to help Roberta since it was a busy night. I then went into the back room and got into the tub and at 7:35am my daughter was starting to crown and at 7:41am she was born 6lbs 9oz and 17in. My experience at the birth center was calm and relaxing since I didn't have to worry about different people coming in to check on me. While in labor, it was just my husband, Kristina, and Roberta. After my daughter was born I was relieved to know that she would not leave my presence at all since we were both healthy. I will definitely return to Best Start Birth Center in the future if I am still in San Diego and will refer all my friends here in San Diego to Best Start. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Best Start! I will be bringing my daughter, (born January 5 2008) to Best Start so that everybody can see her as she grows!
Thank you to Best Start and Staff for making my daughter’s birth comfortable and warm feeling. My entire pregnancy I felt comfortable knowing that I was in good hands and well taken care of. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. Knowing that every month I would go to my appointment to such friendly and caring people who feel more like family was so comforting. I will always be grateful for taking such great care of us and will always recommend Best Start to friends and family. I would do it all over again if I had to and if I have another child will choose Best Start before I would a hospital. Thank you for all your loving care, Roberta, Kel, Yessenia, Dulce, Matea, and Kristina.
Sincerely, Aaron, Lorri, and Aniya

View Irelyn's Birth Photos >

I woke up around 7am on Dec 6th, 2007 feeling crampy and as if things were just not right. I laid around for a while and around 9am my contractions started. They were not regular but already very uncomfortable so I decided to take a shower, thinking the hot water would give me some relief. My mom was in town for the birth and needed to pick up some things from the grocery store but wanted me to stay home. I insisted on going, knowing that walking around would be good for me and hopefully help me dilate. So off to the store we went and by the time we were done shopping, the contractions were a lot stronger and more frequent.

When we got home I used an exercise ball to lean on and do pelvic rocks, which helped my lower back pain a lot. Mom and I started to time contractions and they were about 5 mins apart so I called my husband Tony to come home from work. Knowing that he wouldn’t be home right away, I decided to get in the bathtub, which relaxed me a lot as my contractions continued to get stronger. By the time he was home about 45 mins later, the contractions were 2-3 mins apart so we called the birth center and were told to come in.

The 45 minute drive from our house in Oceanside to the birth center in San Diego was the worst car ride ever!! California traffic, bumpy highways, and bad contractions does not equal fun!! Once we got to the birth center around 3pm I was checked by one of the midwives and was pleased to find out I had already progressed to 5 cm! By that time I was having horrible back labor so I got in the shower for a while and let Tony run hot water from the shower head over my back. Once I was given permission, I got in the labor tub.

Laboring in the tub was very relaxing, and I really don’t know how I would have handled a natural birth without it! Tony was an excellent coach from the side of the tub, and also once he got in with me. Mom and the midwives did an excellent job making sure I kept hydrated with water and orange juice and made sure I had anything else I wanted or needed. I used several different positions to push while in the tub, my favorite being squatting using a bar by the tub for support. All and all, I labored in the tub for about 4 hours total, including a lot of hard pushing. The most frustrating part was getting the baby’s head to come from under my pelvic bone, which took a lot of time, concentration, and very hard pushes. After a while I didn't feel like my pushes were as effective so I decided to get out of the tub and finish laboring on the bed, which was suggested by one of the birth assistants.

Once I was on the bed, I felt a renewed strength and desire to see my baby! I think the change from getting out of the water, walking into another room, and climbing onto the bed was just what I needed to finally deliver my baby. On the bed, I pushed in the classic laboring position with my legs pulled back. The whole time I was cheered on by my husband, my mom, Kel my midwife, and three other birth assistants. Finally, after another 30 mins of pushing, Irelyn Lorraine Luck was born at 9:08 pm and weighed in at 8lbs 15oz (1oz shy of 9lbs!!) and was 19.5 inches long. I didn't need an episiotomy and didn't even tear! She also started breast feeding right away. All in all, I had a 12 hour labor, 3 hours of which was hard pushing. Thanks to the birth center, my midwives and assistants, and my husband and mom, I was able to achieve the natural delivery that I wanted. I received no medication whatsoever and I couldn't be more proud of myself! It was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life and my husband and I couldn't be any more in love!!

I took a shower about an hour after delivery while Tony and my mom went and got us some much needed food! We stayed at the birth center for the required minimum of 4 hours after the birth and then went home. Once we were home, Irelyn fed again and slept for about 4 hours straight, woke up, fed again, then back to sleep. And I did very well after the delivery; I took it easy but could have never imagined feeling so good after all that hard work!! My muscles are what ached the most, but hey, that's not much to complain about for such a wonderful gift!!

We are very happy that we had our daughter at Best Start on 12/5/07. We really like everyone who worked at Best Start and the general atmosphere is so much more relaxing than a hospital or doctor’s office. We came into the birth center around 10pm and the night of the birth. Within a few hours, Yolanda was dilated enough to get in the tub. Once she was in the water she said the pains from the contractions subsided significantly. Soon after, our daughter was born in the tub. Mama was very happy. We were able to rest for a few hours and were home by morning.

View Mason's Birth Photos >

Our sweet Mason was born on November 19th at 7:35pm. After lots of conversation and heavy thought, Roberta, JP (my husband) and I had decided to induce my labor, due to the combination of my being group B strep positive and my history of rapid deliveries. If our baby was born before I had been given the required 4 hours of antibiotics, Best Start’s policy was that our baby would have to be transferred to the hospital for 2 days of observation. We wanted to avoid that, and therefore agreed to be induced.

Monday morning we went to Best Start Birth Center at 9:30am for the first round of antibiotics. It took seven tries to get it in, sometimes my veins just don’t want to cooperate! I was excited to hear that I was dilated to 4cm, 100% effaced and had a bulging water bag. We were done with the antibiotics at 10:30, so Roberta told us to come back at 2:30 for the second round. Back at home, I ran laundry, and tried to keep myself busy. After already giving birth to three children, I knew exactly what was ahead of me, and it was hard to keep my mind clear. Before I knew it, JP was saying, “it’s 1:40pm we need drop the kids off and get going!” So we headed off to our friend Caroline’s house to drop our kids off. She lived just a few minutes from Best Start, so she would be able to bring the kids as soon as the baby was born.

We arrived at Best Start at 2:30pm, my mom was already in the waiting room, she beat us there! Right away, I was given another dose of antibiotics, luckily this time we got it in on one try. I was excited to hear that the upstairs birthing suite was finally ready to be used. I had planned to deliver in the front birthing room, where both Blake and Marlie had been born, but the lure of the huge tub upstairs was too great. We would be the first birth in the upstairs room! At 3:30pm Ruth broke my water bag, and it was an instant flood.

When my labor was induced with Blake and Marlie, it took 8 hours and 9 hours before any contractions started. I was a little worried that it would take just as long for something to get going with this labor too. Luckily, the time seemed to go by quickly sitting around and chatting with my mom and JP. At 5:30pm, I still wasn’t in labor and had only had a whopping 4 contractions. They weren’t even as uncomfortable as the Braxton-Hicks I had the night before, how disappointing! JP and mom were getting hungry, so I asked Ruth to check my cervix, just in case. Nothing had changed and I was still only dilated to 4cm. My mom left to get her and JP some Mexican food. I didn’t feel like eating, and was actually really tired from not sleeping much the night before, so I laid down in bed and tried to nap. It was hard to sleep because I kept needing to get up to use the bathroom, but in between my bathroom trips I at least got to rest a little.

At 7:00 on the dot, my mom and JP were talking about something. I was half-awake listening to them, still laying in bed. All the sudden I had a monster contraction, and I mean the kind that makes you yell for your midwife (which is exactly what I did!) My mom went running out and got both Roberta and Ruth, who came flying in the birth room. Ruth checked me and announced that I was 8cm dilated!! All at once I started shaking, and couldn’t control it. My back was killing me, so JP climbed in bed and sat behind me so I wouldn’t be laying flat on my back. Roberta turned the water in the bathtub on. I thought for sure that huge bathtub wouldn’t fill up in time for the birth, but at 7:15 it was full and I climbed in. The warm water helped me relax a bit, but I was still pretty freaked out, due to everything happening so quickly. All I could think of was the scene in the theatre production of “Wicked” where the character of the midwife is running around the stage yelling, “The baby’s coming…and it’s unnaturally green”. Leave it to a dancer to be thinking of theatre during her baby’s birth!

I didn’t really push, it was more like I hung on for dear life, as our sweet baby busted his way out at 7:35pm. (I asked JP why there weren’t any “half in half out pictures” of the birth like with our other kids and he laughed and said “It’s because one second I saw the top of his head, then his whole body was out! There was no half in half out!) Ruth lifted him to my chest and boy, was he unhappy to be here! He cried and cried! I thought I probably tore due to the rapid delivery, but was happy to hear that I didn’t even have so much as a skid mark.

After a few minutes, I realized that I hadn’t checked to see if our baby was really a boy, like the ultrasound had said. I peeked under the blanket, and indeed I had just delivered our 3rd son. I climbed out of the tub and into the bed with our new baby. Our friend Caroline brought our 3 other kids to come see him, and what excitement there was in the room! They crowded all around him, touching his little hands and feet. “Is it really a boy?”, “How much does he weigh?”, “What’s his name?”. They had a flurry of questions. We all talked for a few minutes and decided to name him Mason Reed. After lots of hugs and kisses, my mom gathered up our older kids and took them home to her house for the night.

Four hours after Mason’s birth, JP started loading up the car to leave. It was foggy and damp out, when we climbed in and, headed for home. It was surreal, driving down the freeway at midnight, with our 4 hour old baby in the car. I had never brought a baby home at night, and it was different. It felt like a good secret, one that you didn’t want to tell anyone, and that you wanted to keep all to yourself. I hoped our anxious neighbors wouldn’t hear our car and that we could sneak in the house unnoticed. I was so happy to get home and climb into my own bed, with my husband and my baby.

I came to the birthing center at approximately 35 weeks pregnant. I had been wanting a home birth but it wasn’t working out, so we decided that Best Start was a happy medium between a home and a hospital birth. I went into labor at 38 weeks, 5 days (I think) and labored almost the entire time at home. At 10pm I called the on-call midwife (Roberta) and told her I thought I should come in. We got to the center at 11:30pm and I was already 6 cm. Roberta broke my water and 10 minutes later I was at 8cm. Shortly after I felt like pushing- 12:15 11/11/07 Rachel made her way into the world! It was a fast and furious 3rd stage- but better than long and prolonged! Dulce took great care of me and Rachel until 8am- she was tired! And then we went home!

View Sofia's Birth Photos >

Sofia Rosalind Keith was born October 22, 2007 at 11:21pm. She weighed 7pounds 15ounces. She was 21 inches long. This is the story of her water birth.

On October 22 I was officially 7 days over my due date. Still feeling great and no contractions. I had to go to the hospital and have the “stress test” done since I was overdue to make sure baby and placenta were still doing well. I was very stressed out about the test. I didn’t want to go and have it done. This was my third baby and I had never had to do this before. The woman at the hospital was very nice and sweet. I filled out some paperwork and they put a hospital bracelet on me, which I didn’t like because I had not intention of staying long. I got in the chair and she strapped the monitor on me I started to cry. I so didn’t want to do this! My husband reminded me that if I calmed down they could do the test and we could leave. He held my hand and helped me relax. During the test the lady asked me if I was feeling the contractions I was having. I told her they just felt like strong “Braxton Hicks”. After the test we went to Whole foods and walked around. By the time we got home I was feeling “very pregnant”. When we got home my “Braxton Hicks” were getting stronger and by dinner I realized I was having contractions. After dinner I laid in bed a bit trying to relax and hide from the other 5 people in the house. This didn’t feel good so I got in the hot shower. This felt good but when the hot water ran out I had to get out. Then my husband Brandon and I went for a walk around the block. This helped speed up the time between contractions. I was having a hard time finding something that worked so I could relax through the contractions. My contractions were 12min, 5min, 15min then 3min apart. I called Kel around 8:00pm. She said it sounded like I was in early labor, and to try concentrating on my slow relaxed breathing and to call her when the contractions were consistent or when I needed her. We got our 2 boys to bed and decided to watch a movie with my parents. They were watching Failure to Launch. Everyone thought this was a funny choice since I was past my due date and having my own “Failure to Launch”. During the movie I tried to lie on the couch or get on all fours during contractions. Between contractions I had to go to the bathroom a lot. Sitting on the toilet made each contraction stronger. Brandon reminded me this happened with our first child right before I stared pushing. I called Kel and told her I was ready to come in to the birth center. By now my contractions would come in 3’s. The first two contractions were ok then the third would be strong. We met Kel at 9:45pm and she checked me. I was only 4cm dilated. I was disappointed since I thought I should be further along by the way the contractions felt. I did feel at peace being at the birth center and the whole “when do we go in” stress was gone. She got me set up on the labor ball and left us so we could have some time. The labor ball felt great. Every few contractions I would get up and go to the bathroom. I remember sitting on the labor ball yawning, I was so tired. I decided I better try and take a nap since I was only 4cm and I needed my strength for later. I crawled up on the bed and lay on my side. The next wave of contractions my body started to push. Brandon went and got Kel. She checked me and I was complete! She filled the tub with water and called the labor assistant. I had only been at the birth center about 45 min at this point. Brandon and Kel got me in the tub as it filled. At first it was not very relaxing. Once it was filled I was able to lay back and the water felt great. The water really eased the contractions. Having 3 or 4 pushing contractions on the bed I could really feel the difference the water made. ( I wish I would have had my other two un-medicated births in the water.) My husband stroked my hair and held a cool wash cloth on my head while Kel spoke in a soft voice and explained to me what my body was doing. Kel and I had talked at great length during my pregnancy about my fear of tearing. I had a 3 degree tear with my first two births and didn’t want to tear again. At one point she told me to reach down and feel my baby’s head. While I was in the tub Kel broke my water. Kel did a wonderful job at guiding my pushing. She told me when to relax and not push so Sofia would come out slow. She would tell me to push when I felt the urge and then when to stop pushing. She reminded me that I would still feel her head slowly stretching me. I never felt rushed to push her out. Lying in that tub with my husband and Kel next to it was so peaceful. I remember looking down and watching my little girl under the water being gently pushed out into the world. Karly arrived as Sofia was placed on my chest and we were covered with warm towels. Her eyes were opened and she looked at us although Sofia didn’t cry at first she was healthy. Kel rubbed her with a warm towel and she cried. The water was drained from the tub before the placenta was delivered. When the cord stopped pulsing Kel helped Brandon cut the cord. I delivered the placenta in the drained tub. After we got settled in the bed Karly showed us the placenta and explained all the parts and how it worked. This was my 3rd baby and I had never seen the placenta before. Seeing how it worked was really cool. I was given a herb to help stop the bleeding but eventually I was given a shot of pitocin in my leg. It burned going in but after a minute I didn’t feel it. When we were all settled Kel said goodbye and Karly stayed with us. We were the only ones giving birth that night so the center was quiet. Karly came and checked on us during the night. She always entered the room quietly and never disturbed us. The next morning we woke, ate our meal we had brought and headed home with our new baby girl. When we arrived home the boys were so excited to meet their new little sister. And a whole new chapter in our life began.

The next day Karly came to the house to check Sofia and myself. She helped us with some breastfeeding issues we were having. The whole experience was so calm and peaceful. During my prenatal appointments, the birth and my post partum check ups I never felt rushed. I liked that I saw both Kel and Roberta during my pregnancy so when I went into labor I felt comfortable with both of them and knew the person who would help us. I liked that the birth center was an all female staff. Dulce and Yesenia at the front desk greeted me with a smile and were always ready to help. Thank you all! Kendal and Brandon Keith

All I wanted was to have my baby before my 42 weeks we up. My due date was October 7, 2007, but my little bundle of joy just wasn’t ready to come out and see the world yet. Since I missed my due date, one of our midwives, Roberta, suggested we take castor oil to start contractions; just to speed things along. She said that if it doesn’t start any contractions, she asked if I would be willing to take it again. I told her that I would because all I wanted was my baby. The first time wasn’t strong enough to start any powerful contractions. Since that didn’t work and only being 2 cm dilated, our other Midwife, Kel suggested that I take it again on Friday October 19th ( at this point, I’m 12 days overdue). On Friday, I took the first dosage and nothing happened. When my husband came home, he was encouraging me to finish the rest of the oil (this stuff is really gross) Of course I didn’t want to and as I was pleading not to finish the rest off, I felt a pop from within and then fluid leaking, my water broke! We called midwife Kel and we went down to the birth center around 8pm. I had a lot of amniotic fluid so you could imagine it took awhile to unload. My contractions became stronger shortly after my water broke. I picked up my bedroom and sat hand in hand with my husband the whole time going through my powerful back labor pains. Boy, did they burn! After 2am I was dilated to 4cm. My husband and I were up for awhile without any sleep, all I wanted was for my baby to come and go to bed. Around 6:45 am, my body started pushing during each contraction. I told midwife Kel and she started my bath tub and we just waited. My delivery only lasted 45 minutes and it was a relief when I gave my final push. But during my pushing, Kel held a mirror up so I could see my baby’s head; it was a great focus and to have my best friend (my husband) right there next to me the whole time. After I delivered, Kel put my baby on my chest and I couldn’t believe just how big my baby was. I asked my husband what we had and he said, “A girl.” I was so excited. Labor 13 hrs. Lillian. 8lbs, 13oz. 22 inches. Born October 20, 2007 @ 7:14am.

Avery Dee Mitchell’s Birth Story- October 18, 2007 9:40am. 7lbs, 6oz. 21inches
I was due on October 13th, 2007. My due date came and went and my husband and I became increasingly anxious. Finally on October 18th at about 2:45am, I woke up having manageable contractions. I woke up my husband and we timed them determining that they were 10 minutes apart. We decided to try and go back to sleep knowing that we had a lot of work ahead of us. At 5:45am I felt a “pop” and a gush. My water broke and we knew it was really time. Yay! My husband called Best Start while I hopped in the shower. Roberta told us to hold off coming in until the contractions were three to five minutes apart and pretty intense. At this point my contractions were about 8 minutes and still manageable. After showering I stretched out on the couch while my husband loaded up the car. The time was approximately 6am. By 6:15, I knew it was time to get going. My contractions were about 7 minutes apart and I wasn’t able to talk through them anymore. We headed to Best Start, our baby was on her way! Roberta did my initial check: 4-5cm dilated and 5 minutes apart. I got in the bath to relax a little, it felt great! About 20 minutes later I felt like I had to push and decided to get out of the tub. By this time I was 9.5 cm and my contractions were extremely close together. I tried lying on my back at first but things didn’t feel right. After trying other positions we settled on my delivering in a squatting position. My husband got on the bed and had his back against the head board while I faced him and used him for support. After pushing for about 15-20 minutes, Avery Dee was born. Tamara told me that I began to stand when Avery started coming out. She said that I was like a “Mommy Giraffe”. I didn’t even realize that I was doing it. Best Start is the most amazing place to have a baby. We are so happy with out decision to have Avery there. Thank you Roberta, Tamara, Karly and everyone else at Best Start.

Avery Dee’s Birth Story- October 18, 2007 9:40am.
7lbs, 6oz. 21inches

I was due on October 13th, 2007. My due date came and went and my husband and I became increasingly anxious. Finally on October 18th at about 2:45am, I woke up having manageable contractions. I woke up my husband and we timed them determining that they were 10 minutes apart. We decided to try and go back to sleep knowing that we had a lot of work ahead of us. At 5:45am I felt a “pop” and a gush. My water broke and we knew it was really time. Yay! My husband called Best Start while I hopped in the shower. Roberta told us to hold off coming in until the contractions were three to five minutes apart and pretty intense. At this point my contractions were about 8 minutes and still manageable. After showering I stretched out on the couch while my husband loaded up the car. The time was approximately 6am. By 6:15, I knew it was time to get going. My contractions were about 7 minutes apart and I wasn’t able to talk through them anymore. We headed to Best Start, our baby was on her way! Roberta did my initial check: 4-5cm dilated and 5 minutes apart. I got in the bath to relax a little, it felt great! About 20 minutes later I felt like I had to push and decided to get out of the tub. By this time I was 9.5 cm and my contractions were extremely close together. I tried lying on my back at first but things didn’t feel right. After trying other positions we settled on my delivering in a squatting position. My husband got on the bed and had his back against the head board while I faced him and used him for support. After pushing for about 15-20 minutes, Avery Dee was born. Tamara told me that I began to stand when Avery started coming out. She said that I was like a “Mommy Giraffe”. I didn’t even realize that I was doing it. Best Start is the most amazing place to have a baby. We are so happy with out decision to have Avery there. Thank you Roberta, Tamara, Karly and everyone else at Best Start.

View Curran's Birth Photos >

When my due date, August 13th, came and went I was pretty sure Curran would be born on my husband, Landis’ Birthday, 8/20. It was still a little strange walking around that final week, knowing I could start labor any minute. I am glad I had the extra time, because by the time he was ready to come out- I was ready. The week before my due date I was nervous and scared and felt unprepared. By a few days after the date, I just surrendered to it and was ready whenever it started. I had really enjoyed being pregnant, and I knew I was going to miss it! Plus- someone mentioned- and I took it to heart- that while he was still inside me- it was the most convenient he would be for quite a while! I took advantage of that extra week. I got 2 or 3 massages, we went out to eat a lot, and I walked and got everything ready.

On August 20th- My parents had come down for the weekend, and I told my mom to take Monday off of work because the baby would be born Monday. Landis’ dad, Brett, was here, he had been here for almost a week by then- waiting for the baby! Everyone was anxious. Now I was feeling like I needed to have him on this day or everyone might be disappointed- especially Landis! Landis must have sensed this, because he kept reassuring me that the baby could come whenever he wanted- he didn’t have to come that day. I felt better, but I still thought it would be great to have him on Landis’ Birthday. Plus Best start had set an appointment for me for Tuesday to get my placenta observed at another hospital to make sure it was still strong. I did NOT want to do that, it didn’t sound like a very invasive procedure- I just didn’t want to deal with it. Plus- if we went over 42 weeks I would not be able to have my baby at Best Start. So I was clear- Baby was going to be born on 8/20!

I figured my labor would start around 10 am. Well, 10 am came and went. Everyone kept checking in on me- “Feeling anything yet?” “Was that a contraction?” “How are you feeling?” Ha-ha no pressure!
Well- I decided to call Best Start and see if Roberta could check my cervix to see if I was further dilated- I had been about 1.5 the week before. They said just to come on in- so my mom and I headed to the birth center and left Landis working and the grandpas doing helpful chores around the house. We packed everything we might need into the Volvo, just in case we stayed at the Birth Center.
We got to the Birth Center- My mom was so excited! When we went in with Roberta she said I was dilated to about 3cm, and she could feel baby’s head and my bag of waters. She offered to break my water right then. We discussed it, and I decided to wait and see if I started labor on my own, partly because once my water was broken I had 24 hours to start labor, and if I did not- then I would not be able to have my baby at the Birth Center. So Roberta recommended taking Castor oil. 2 tbsp, then 2 more tbsp 2 hours later, and she thought labor would start within 4 hrs of the first dose! Mom was so excited- “Let’s go get you some Castor oil!” We went straight to Rite Aid and bought the nasty stuff. I drank it in the parking lot with a water chaser! Ewww- the taste isn’t horrible- but the consistency made me gag. I called my mother in law, Peggy to tell her what was happening. She decided to come down, so she and Loni headed to our house. Next we headed to Whole Foods to grab some last minute supplies. Mom told the checkout guys that I was in labor- she was so excited. They looked surprised, like “If you are in labor- should you really be grocery shopping?” ha-ha Then we headed to Trader Joes for a few more groceries. By the time we checked out (and mom told this checkout guy that I was in labor) I was ready to go home. I wasn’t sure what was going on in side me- but I knew I wanted to be home right away. I navigated as mom drove- and I am sure I made her nervous telling her how to drive- I was just getting anxious. We got home and Dad had made us all lunch, I kissed Landis hello- then headed straight to the bathroom. Wow! That Castor Oil had done its job! What a huge release. I am glad I got that out of me before the baby came!

I went down and had a big lunch. As we sat on the patio having lunch Peggy and Landis’ sister, Loni showed up. Now the party was getting started. I hit the bathroom again, (who knew Castor oil was such powerful stuff?) and everyone just kind of stood around anxiously, eyeing my belly. Well Landis grabbed me and took me into the bedroom for some us time. I had imagined that during early labor it would just be he and I- so it was nice to be alone with him. I was having mild contractions by now, and Landis wanted to time them. I thought we should all go for a walk. Landis insisted and we timed contraction coming about 4.5 minutes apart. I thought- “that can’t be right!” I figured if they were that close together they would be stronger. But these were just mild- my uterus would get hard, and then relax. Pretty soon everyone was in the bedroom- I am sure they couldn’t help it- they all wanted to know what was going on! Peggy and Loni offered to rub my feet. How sweet! They each took one foot and started rubbing. Aaahhh Landis told mom how close my contractions were and they all agreed that we should go to the Birth Center. I wasn’t convinced, but I agreed to call Roberta and check in. I hadn’t taken the 2nd dose of Castor oil, partly because after that big lunch- I didn’t want it all to come rushing through when I was having the baby!
I called and explained everything to Roberta. She said- “Come on in!” So we all headed to the Birth Center. Landis drove me in the Volvo, mom and dad brought Brett and Peggy and Loni followed them. I guess my dad lost them, because they got turned around and had to call for directions.
When we got to the Birth Center it was after 6pm, so we got a free meter right out front. We went in and Roberta was in the back just kind of hanging out. We waited in the waiting room. I noticed that someone was already in the big front room. Dang! I was trying to stay open, but I had thought I would get that room. The tub was perfect for a water birth. Oh well, we headed into the Blue room in back and set down our stuff. We went back out and found Roberta as mom got there. I think I was headed into labor land my then, because it all seems a little dreamy. We went into the exam room, and Roberta checked my Cervix. I was at 4cm. I asked Roberta to break my water. Let’s have this baby tonight! Landis held my hand. I was still having contractions- they were getting more noticeable now. Peggy came in as Roberta got out the little hook to break the water. She explained that it just puts a little hole in the bag of waters, which is like a balloon. That is enough to do the trick. Then we all had to wait for another contraction. It was taking a while; Roberta suggested I stimulate my nipples to encourage another contraction. It felt a little weird rubbing my nipples in this little room with my mom and Peggy and Landis, but What the heck! Pretty soon I had another contraction and Roberta was able to break my water. I felt a warm liquid trickle down. Roberta said my amniotic fluid was crystal clear! That is a good thing! I got a “chucks” pad to absorb the fluid and held it between my legs as we all headed back to the little Blue room. Well what do we do now? Hmm… The contractions were getting stronger. I thought I might like to sit on the birth ball. It wasn’t very comfy though. We moved into the bathroom and I sat on the ball while leaning against Landis. That was better. The contractions were really picking up now. Landis offered to read me a hypnosis script. I thought it would be good to listen to the CD, since we had listened to it so much. We put it on, but then went into the bathroom and couldn’t hear it. I asked Landis to read me the Hypno Birthing affirmations- that was what I really needed to be reminded of as my contractions got stronger. I don’t know how long it had been, but I was DEFINITELY feeling them now. Landis read my affirmations and I repeated after him. It was good to be reminded about turning my birth over to my body and my baby, and all the other good affirmations. That’s what I need to do. Okay- I can do that. We decided to run a tub, even though it was so hot in there- I was anxious to experience for myself, what so many mothers had told me- The Contractions immediately feel better when you get into the tub! Mom ran the tub, and as soon as I got in- it was all better! It really felt so much better to be in the water. I have no idea why- but instantly the contractions were so much easier to handle. They had gotten pretty strong by now and were coming every minute or so. We spent a while in the tub just taking each contraction as it came. They kept getting stronger and stronger. It was interesting because I knew that the contractions were helping me open up so my baby could be born, but because they hurt I wanted to resist them. I think I said something like “I know these contractions are helping me, and I should cooperate with them, but my reaction is to avoid them and want them to stop.” So I wanted to keep surrendering, being open and cooperating with each contraction. Pretty soon they were coming so strong and right on top of each other. I figured I must be in or near transition. It was so good to have Landis right there with me. He was encouraging me, and breathing with me during the contractions. I really felt safe and taken care of. My mom helped by pouring water over my belly during the contractions, and Peggy was always there with a cool cloth, or anything else we needed. I totally felt safe and taken care of. Roberta had been coming in and out to check on me, and this time when she checked my cervix she said it wouldn’t be long now. She said I could push whenever I felt the urge. Well, I wasn’t feeling the urge t push, and I was a little concerned about pushing out something in the bathwater that was released by that Castor oil! Roberta said it would be fine, but when she could tell I didn’t want to push in the tub she suggested I get out and sit on the toilet. The position I was in the tub wasn’t very good for pushing anyway, and my back was stressed from being in that position unsupported for so long. I sat on the toilet, and Roberta encouraged me to push. She said “I promise your baby won’t be born in the toilet!”

I just didn’t feel like pushing yet. The contractions were very strong now, and they hurt a lot more now that I was out of the water. I think I almost cried and grabbed onto Landis. I wasn’t sure what to do, but Roberta suggested we move to the bed. I didn’t like the idea, but I was open to her guidance. I got into the bed, and Roberta and the nurse coached me to push my baby out. I was ready by now to have him come out. I said, “Baby, I want you to come out now. Please come out now.” I was ready for those contractions to be over, and if that meant pushing a baby out- then so be it! I would do whatever it took to be done with the contractions! I started to push, but it felt a little weird. Roberta and the nurse held my legs as I laid on my side. I pushed against them and bore down. Landis was right by me holding me and encouraging me. I asked my mom to get the mirror so I could see. Once I could see the top of his head coming down- that was where my entire focus was. The contractions faded from my awareness, and I looked in shock at the baby head that was starting to emerge from me. It was surreal! Now I was completely motivated. I was going to push my baby out! Whatever it took. A few more pushes, more baby head. The mirror moved. I couldn’t see. I was immediately mad and lost. I needed to be able to focus on my baby! “Move the mirror back NOW! Move it back Now! I can’t see!” My mom who had been distracted watching the whole thing herself- quickly adjusted the mirror and once I could see again, I was ready to keep pushing. Before the birth I had been very concerned about the possibility of tearing or needing an episiotomy. I knew I wouldn’t need an episiotomy, but I definitely didn’t want to tear. Luckily- I did not tear at all- everything opened up and allowed the baby to come through- just like I envisioned. Roberta had to help get his head under my pelvic bone. It didn’t feel great, but I was glad to have her help. We kept working. Everyone was very involved and focused at this point. A few more big pushes and out came a baby head! Totally unbelievable. I mean- I knew he was in there, and I knew he was going to need to come out- but this was so surreal! We paused. Then another push. Out came his shoulder, then the other one. Roberta told me to reach down and take my baby. I reached down and took a hold of him under the arms, and pulled him up onto my tummy. I looked up at Landis. He was totally in tears! I was moved by how emotional he was. I didn’t cry though- I was too surprised! Now I had my baby on my chest! Wow. He was warm and soft and squirmy. He was covered in fluid and blood, but I didn’t care. They put a towel over him, and I told Landis to put his hand on him to help keep him warm. Hi baby. We love you. The baby started to cry! What and adventure! Totally wild! Landis was talking to the baby. Welcoming him, telling him we love him, all the while, he was crying. I loved it! I was so happy in that moment! Me and Landis and our baby, were all snuggled on the bed. My Mom and Landis’ mom were there to help, and Roberta and the nurse were taking good care of us! Curran was born at 8:58 pm. He weighed 8lbs 8 oz. and was 20 inches long.

Before long our new little man was ready to nurse, he moved over to my left breast and began nursing Wow! What a feeling. We spent an hour or more snuggling and looking at our baby! He was so beautiful and peaceful. I was so happy to have him here! The whole family came in and all the grandparents were so excited. He was happy too; he made a little laughing sound! I had dreamed a few days earlier about leaning down close to my baby and smelling him and hearing him laugh! It was so cool that he actually laughed! We tried taking pictures- but the flash was too bright- it startled him pretty bad. The room was nice and dim, and cozy. The Best Start staff came to check on us, but did not disturb us. We told them we wanted some time to just be with our baby before they weighed him or anything.

I was still dazed and amazed. It seemed very surreal! I can’t believe a baby just came out of me! What an awe inspiring event! I am amazed at what my body is capable of. Our little boy is so beautiful and healthy. We decided to name him Curran- which means Hero in Irish. He is definitely my little hero! I am so happy with him and happy with my experience at Best Start. They took great care of us from start to finish!

We went home with our new family member at around midnight. I was still sort of in shock! It was such a surreal experience! Very intense and exciting!

Thank you to Roberta, Kel, Dulce, and all the great “Best Start” Staff!

Marlie Lynn was born on December 28th at 8:50pm. She weighed 8lbs 9oz and was 20 inches long. The birth went great. I had been dilated to 5cm and 100% effaced for over a week. When I went in on Thursday for my appointment with Roberta, she laughed and told me that Greta had been really worried about me. She said she wasn’t sure why Greta was so worried about me…but after Roberta checked my cervix she said, "Now I know why Greta was so worried! Now I’m worried too!" I was dilated to 6 and the baby was at +1 station. Because my labors with Bryce and Blake were so fast, Roberta was concerned about me going into labor, and not making it to the birthing center in time. We often joked about me having the baby on the side of the freeway (even though we only live 15 minutes away!) But today it seemed like that could be a real possibility. Roberta talked to us about inducing me that afternoon. She really didn’t even want me to go home, but it was 10am and the birth center was bustling with clients. So we agreed to come back that night to break my water.

By the afternoon I was a wreck. I didn’t want to be induced. I was so afraid of having a repeat birth like Blake’s, with nothing happening for sooooo long. I tried to hold it together, but burst into tears at my mom’s house. My mom and JP convinced me to call Roberta and talk to her. So I called and told her how I was feeling about being induced, and she was so sweet and supportive. She gave me a pep talk and said that we didn’t have to induce at all, but she felt like it would be safer for me if we did. Ultimately she left the decision up to me. She suggested waiting until tomorrow (Friday). I felt so much better about waiting the extra day. I was still nervous, and disappointed about being induced, but felt at peace about doing it Friday instead. So we all went home to our house and I got as much done as I could before the next day!

Friday morning we dropped Bryce and Blake with a friend and went to the birth center. It was strange driving down the freeway knowing that in a few hours I would be holding our new baby. Roberta met us at Best Start at 11:00. She did an IV drip of antibiotics (for the GBS) and broke my water bag at 12:15pm. She thought that since I was so far dialated that things would happen right away, but I just knew that it would be a while before things were going to get moving. So we were prepared with things to do to help pass the time. JP, my mom, my mother in law and I all played games for a while. We also read magazines, told funny stories, and just generally goofed off for several hours.

The moms decided to take pictures of my pregnant belly while we were waiting. They untied curtains, and arranged plants in the peach room. We found some white sheets in the linen closet and tied them around my belly. They took a ton of pictures and had a grand time. I however felt like a beached whale, but at least it kept us busy.

JP and I had a tough time with baby names during my pregnancy. He really wanted another "B" name, and I didn’t. I loved the name Carly, but decided it was too popular. Mom and I were talking about it one day and I could see the wheels turning in her brain. A few seconds later she shouted, "I’ve got it, how about Marlie?" So Marlie it was going to be. But we weren’t in agreement about how to spell it. So, while we were waiting for my labor to start, we voted on spellings. I liked "Marley", JP liked "Marli". But "Marlie" got the most votes, so that’s how we would spell the new baby’s’ name.

We decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood around 4:30pm. It had been 4 hours since my water had been broken, but I didn’t feel anxious about the lull in my labor, like I did with Blake’s birth. Maybe it was because I knew that when things finally started, it would be fast and furious! It was so strange walking around the neighborhood waiting to go into labor. I was afraid to walk too far in case my contractions got going. We stopped at the 7-11 around the corner and bought some candy while we walked. When we got back to the birth center, I took a nap for several hours.

Around 7:30pm I still wasn’t having any contractions Roberta encouraged me to use a breast pump to see if we could get some contractions going. She had been so great the whole day. So noninvasive and patient while waiting for things to get moving, so I didn't mind trying it. Using the breast pump seemed to help a little. At about 8:15pm I started having some mild irregular contractions, but they were nothing to speak of, so I ignored them but stopped using the breast pump.

I walked into the waiting room of the birth center where my parents, mother in law and JP were. They were all talking and laughing about some funny movie they saw. I started squatting on the floor and it felt really good! My dad made a joke and I started laughing. I’m not sure if it was the squatting or the laughing or neither that started that first contraction. I knew immediately this was it. My demeanor changed immediately. I jumped up and said "Ok, no more talking!" I walked back into the peach room and sort of wandered around for a few minutes. I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself. My contractions were coming hard and fast. I sat down on the bed, then layed down on my hands and knees. Thankfully it helped relieve the pressure a little.

Roberta, who had been with me the whole morning, was getting ready to leave, (the new midwife had come in at 8:00pm.) She squeezed my hand and whispered good luck as she started to leave. But before she left she asked the new midwife, Jessica, to check me before she left, just in case. It’s a good thing she did, because I was already dilated to 7! Roberta decided to stay to wait for the nurse to arrive.

The contractions were moving really fast, and JP reminded me that I wanted to labor in the birth tub, so he went and started the water. But I didn’t want to get in yet! I was afraid if I got in too soon my labor would stop (silly me, it won’t stop at 7cm). Luckily as soon as the tub was full I was ready to get in it! I got in the tub at 8:40pm. I immediately felt all of my pregnancy weight disappear into the water. My contractions still hurt, but it was so much easier to relax in the warm water. Jessica poured some lavender oil in the water. The smell permeated the entire bathroom and made it even easier to let go and let my body do its job. I found that the most comfortable position I could find was leaning my arms on the side of the tub and sitting on my feet in a semi squatting position. It also made it easy for JP to rub my aching back with a wood back rubber.

I hadn’t been in labor long enough for that fuzzy labor land feeling to set in. Soon I was completely aware that I was in transition, yet I still felt like I couldn’t "do it anymore". It didn’t take long to get that pushy feeling with each contraction, so I started pushing. It hurt so much more to push! In the back of my mind I was thinking, "why does this hurt so much?? None of the other kids births felt like this!!" My back was killing me and hurt almost as much as her head crowing did! Fortunately it didn’t last for more than a minute or two.

Her head came out really fast and JP reminded me to reach down and feel it. I opened my eyes and looked down at her head under the water. All I could see was a black ball of hair. I reached down to feel her head and was surprised that it felt so soft and little. That was all I needed to encourage me to get the rest of her out. I had stopped having contractions, but tried with all I could to push the rest of her out. Her shoulders were a bit stuck, it turned out it was because she was born posterior (face up) and her shoulders weren’t rotating. Roberta did some quick maneuvering while I pushed and I felt a pop and out she came! I thought for sure that pop I felt meant a tear, but was pleasantly surprised to find later that I hadn’t tore at all! My midwife handed me our new baby and I thought I was I heaven! She was absolutely beautiful.

The first thing I did was peek to be sure she was still a girl. Whew! No extra parts. I really wanted someone else to check her for a cleft palate and tried whispering to JP to check it, but the words wouldn’t come out. I took a deep breath and stuck my finger in her mouth. I don’t think I was the only person in that bathroom that cried when I said that it was fine, no cleft. Jp and I stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. She had a serious cone head, and her face was pretty bruised up from such a quick birth and sunny side up positioning. We laughed when we noticed that she had a little bent toe like our other kids had.

The placenta started detaching almost immediately after the birth so Roberta let the water out of the tub. It was really cool to see the cloud of blood forming in the water. I started shaking so Jessica and Roberta helped me out of the tub and I delivered the placenta on the toilet. Then JP and I climbed into bed and snuggled up with our new baby girl.

It was the most wonderful feeling to be able to nurse newborn Marlie and snuggle with her that first night. Both of my older boys were taken from me soon after their birth, Bryce because of breathing trouble, Blake because of a cleft palate. I actually got to spend Marlie’s first few hours of life with her. She was awake most of the night, but I didn’t really mind. JP slept in the bed in the prenatal room, my mother in law slept on the couch in the waiting room. They were tired, but I was on the biggest emotional high ever.

Early the next morning I took a shower and dressed Marlie in the pink clothes I had brought for her. It felt really strange putting a pink outfit on her, she looked just like Bryce and Blake did when they were born! My mom brought our older boys to meet Marlie. I was nervous about how they would respond to her. Both of them were more interested in playing with the toys in the waiting room and watching a movie upstairs than holding the baby! Eventually they did hold her and were extremely sweet and loving.

We left Best Start around 9am with our new little addition. Driving away from the birth center I was still amazed that I had delivered another baby. It all happened so fast, about 25 minutes from that first contraction. I was so pleased with the birth, it was just how I had wanted it to be, calm and quiet. Roberta, Jessica and their sweet nurse Christine were supportive and gentle as always. They had taken excellent care of all of us. As we pulled up in front of our house, I made a mental note to have JP go buy an "It’s a girl sign" for the front door. I had finally gotten my girl, and everything was perfect.

Fotos >

La magia de la naturaleza.

Era una mañana de tormenta, de éstas en las que la naturaleza decide desmostrar su fuerza y su hermosura. Llovía fuerte y a medida que iba amaneciendo aparecía una luz serena, brillante e iluminadora. Poco a poco, desde el balcón de la habitación se divisaban los primeros rayos de sol que dejaban los eucaliptos teñidos de naranja oscuro. Seguía lloviendo a cantaros. El cielo se decargaba, dando de comer a la tierra, y para más belleza, culminaba un arco iris.

En tierras de desierto como San Diego cuando llueve es signo de fertilidad y eso fue la primera señal de que una flor muy especial estaba empezando a brotar.

Eran las seis y media de la mañana y las contracciones se hacian cada vez mas fuertes, pero aun así seguíamos fascinados por el espectáculo que nos brindaba la naturaleza. Desde las 2 de la madrugada Mc (asi llamamos al feto), aventuroso empezaba el gran camino hacia la vida, decidido a salir a ver las maravillas de este mundo.

Empecé relajándome en casa con un buen baño. Los músculos del útero hacían su trabajo y se trataba de relajarse al máximo durante las contracciones para aguantar con fuerza todo el largo y bonito proceso.

Dani con dulzura, masajes, conversaciones, chistes y mucho amor recargaba las pilas,

llenando la atmósfera de energia.

A las 10 de la mañana tras perder el tapon del cervix, hablamos con las comadronas por teléfono: "That is great, you are in labor and that means you are going to have the baby anytime from now on, to two weeks."

En ese momento, al tener una contraccion Gretta, la comadrona, nos aconsejó de acercarnos al centro de partos para chequear como iban las cosas. Si tan sólo era el principio volveríamos a casa. Dani quiso cocinar una buena pasta para estar listos para el maratón. Sin embargo decidimos ir directos al Birth Center.

Al llegar alli Greta me echó una mirada y sin decir palabra decidió llenar la bañera, pues queríamos un parto en el agua. Al chequear resultó que ya estaba dilatada de 8 centimetros y 8,5 durante contracciones.

Mc estaba trabajando como un campeón y poco a poco se encaminaba en el canal preparándose para ver la luz del dia. En la bañera y apoyada en Dani, sintiendo todo su amor y dulzura, empezó el intenso trabajo de la expulsión, tres pasitos para adelante, dos para atras,...

Tras el último monumental esfuerzo apareció la cabecita. Emocionados la acariciabamos con nuestras manos sintiendo sus pelitos y lo blanda que era. Pasaron varios minutos pudiendose observar su carita, boca y ojos debajo del agua.

Entonces Greta dijo: "Genie dame tus manos que en la próxima contracción agarrarás al bebé". Aturdida por el esfuerzo y con algo de miedo me negaba a agarralo. Pero ella con una sonrisa en la cara siguió insistiendo, "Genie dame tus manos, dames tus manos".

Así que en un último esfuerzo le tendí las manos y pude agarrar al bebe mientras salía, recobrando asi toda la energía del mundo.

Con el sentimiento más fuerte que un ser humano pueda sentir, me coloqué al bebe encima de mi pecho, emocionada, desconcertada, aturdida, llena ya de amor y de agradecimiento un vez mas por la vida.

El bebé ya tenía la boca abierta en el agua y con el primer contacto con el aire expulsó sus mucosidades e hinchó sus pulmones, pegando un berrido estridente, " Ya he llegado, lo he conseguido!!"

Nos invadía tal emoción, que tardamos mas de cinco minutos en averiguar si era niño o niña, pues el bebé yacía lloriqueando encima de mi pecho. Lo alzamos pues, para descubrir a nuestra Ainara, golondrina del aire y sirenita del agua.

Gracias amigos por vuestros mensajes de cariño.
Genie, Dani y ahora también Ainara

Best Start Birth Center provides a supportive environment to have a wonderful birthing experience of your design. I enjoyed my prenatal care and delivery at Best Start. The midwives and staff really seem to enjoy what they do. They actively participate in the birth process with you; I never felt rushed or that my questions were a bother. My delivery was simply sublime. Once I was admitted at Best Start my labor moved right along because I knew I was safe, and surrounded by people who truly cared about my baby and me. My labor was 16 hours and even when I physically felt I could go no further, I drew upon the strength and encouragement of the Best Start staff, my doula, Dee and my wonderful husband. If you are seeking highly skilled and compassionate caregivers at your birth and throughout your pregnancy, look no further - Best Start is the place for you.

Thank you Best Start,
Teigen, Jeremy and Baby Ronan of Oceanside

Tobias Orion
Born: 4/8/06 at 4:05pm
9lbs 0oz - 23 inches
Written by Rosie: Mother
Hi All,
I wanted to send 2 stories that my parents wrote about the birth of our son Tobias Orion on 4/8/06. They sum up the entire experience. We had a beautiful and rewarding natural birth and are adjusting to life with a newborn...eat, burp, sleep, change, stare, smile, sneeze, poop, pee, repeat... We have fallen deeply in love with our little man. Birth is a mindblowing experience and to see that we created a perfect little person will continue to stun us forever!
Much love from the new mommy, daddy, and baby,Rosie, Ben and Toby

Written by Robert and Viginia: Grandpa and Grandma
Dear Family and Friends,
The big news. Rose delivered a big healthy boy, Tobias Orion, at 4:05 PM on April 8, 2006. He's 9 lbs which was a little rough for Rose in that she tore 3rd degree and had to go to the hospital (close by) for some deep stitches. 9 lbs on the first baby with the hand next to the head, a military presentation (front rather than back skull) and hand next to the head. Wow. She was beautifully patched up and is healing well. Other than that glitch, Rose did beautifully throughout. It was as close to a farm birth as is available out here in the real world. Tobias came out with healthy lungs, all his fingers and toes, peeing a strong stream first thing. Robert and I, Audrey, Buzz, Ben’s best man at his wedding, were there besides Rose and Ben. Buzz was the chief photographer and took more than 200 shots...amazingly cool and ran errands, keeping everyone fed and watered. He is a resident doctor as is Ben. Grandpa took shifts when Ben needed a break, holding Rose and rubbing her out which was so sweet. When do you ever get to have grandpa at a birthing. And grandma. Oh, was it the most awesome thing to look into my daughter's eyes during a strong rush and talk her through it. Heart to heart, soul to soul. Deep intergenerational magic. The most fantastic, awesome thing that we created for our tribe. It felt like it has come full circle and it's working like a charm, unto the next generation. We did it at home until 4-5 cms and then took her to the birthing center. That's not the easiest thing in the world to do...I can't imagine traveling during labor and she wasn't thrilled with the bumps or turns in the road, but we got her there to a beautifully decorated homey room. She spent some time in a deep warm bath that brought on good rushes. Ben was totally there with her all the way through...such a wonderfully attentive, intuitive daddy. He loves changing the diapers especially the meconium ones...6 so far. He wears a t-shirt that says, "Dad's who change diapers, RULE. The baby is amazing ....almost is sleeping through the nights with one or two feedings. The milk is pouring in and all systems go. He had his first physical today and all's perfecto. It's so fun to be grandparents and help them through the transition, answer any of their questions and fears and concerns and tell them how well they are doing. Ben was able to get three days off during a busy residency. Rob, Audrey and I sang to Toby and held him for 5 hours while mom and dad went to the hospital five minutes away for some stitches. What an amazing bonding we all had. (See Rob's Story) We arrived home from the birthing center around midnight after all was mended and their good friends/neighbors had strewn the lawn with "It's a boy" signs, balloons and a sign with his name, weight, date, time etc. So sweet. They became god- parents the next day when they brought a big clay pot of her special bean soup. Tobias looks alot like Ben's father with Robert's broad chest, shoulders, upper arms and thighs. What a little bruiser. Reminded me of Olivia at 9 lbs with her big shoulders. Ben's mom was 9 lbs and so was I(first childs). The labor was 18 hours of which 9 were at the birthing center (the serious part). More stories to follow from grandparents....we can't resist. Looks like a slew of boys coming on in this new generation. What fun. Love to all of you and thanks for all your good thoughts through this time. Virginia and Robert

Written by Robert and Viginia Gleser: Grandpa and Grandma
He was born nine pounds 0 oz.broad of shoulder with thick arms and thighs. Princess Sunshine, his mother, beautiful of nature, athletic and strong, willingly labored through her first born. But when the inevitable collision occurred of large baby and new mother, there was the not unexpected rupturing of skin. With a mighty heave Sunshine pushed out the, by now, blue heir. (Was he Krishna, the blue Indian God?) There was joyous exclamations of, "It's a boy!" while he was put bloody and blue on top of his mother's body. While everyone talked at once, he proceeded to piss a forceful fountain all over his mother, the Princess Sunshine, who was ecstatic with joy. Soon the baby began sucking like the old pro he is. All was well, everything handsome and in fine working order, except for the news that his highness, making the passage, caused some damage and Princess Sunshine needed to be whisked off to be repaired. An hour after she had delivered her son, the princess and prince were gone, leaving the lovely Miss Virginia, the old captain and Sunshine's good sister, Audrey. These three began the watch over the new prince. Good sister Audrey began the vigil trying to calm him down. Intuitively, although one hour old, he knew that his mother and father had gone. When the baby started to really cry, it came out the classic syllable Whaaa, Whaaa, Whaaa 3 times and then he would be looking around for his mother's breast. He latched onto Audrey's shoulder which provided temporary amusement, but when he started crying again, the old captain tried his hand at it. He provided a distraction for a couple of minutes but, Alas, he proved better at trimming jib sheets and keeping diesel engines going than calming the prince and soon handed off to the soothing grandma, the lovely Miss Virginia. She calmed him down by casting her famous motherly spell and began to sing ancient Korean folk songs. She said how every child in Korea knows these songs whether from the North or South. The transformation was astounding. "He likes music," giggles Virginia as the prince gurgles. Later Audrey sings a Bob Marley song about we may not have much food, but we have music. And thus the prince began his first fast. Being born on Buddha's birthday does have its drawbacks. The time went slowly by and soon the baby was protesting. ' We must feed this child" said the old captain, as he nervously paced around the room. "That is so old school" he is told. "But here we are," he replies, in this foreign country without his mother for sustenance. Who knows when she'll ever return. Where's the wet nurses when you need them?" Audrey educates him, how that is not done these days. And the vigil continued. Time which had been flying by while the princess was in labor suddenly stood still. Lucky for us the lovely Miss Virginia continued to cast her spell, sitting in the rocking chair by the fire with the old captain bringing an extra blanket for comfort. And the heir slept and slept until the trumpets announced the return of the prince escorting the princess back to her baby. And everyone is healthy happy and sleepy and Grandma sleeps and baby sleeps and peace reigns in the kingdom. R.

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I would love to share the story of my second child’s birth. It is a story about waterbirth, conveniently placed yard sales, helpful midwifes, inclusion of siblings at birth, my sweet chubby baby boy and the gentle way he entered this world. The birth happened at Best Start Birth Center in San Diego and was attended by Roberta Frank, CNM. My husband, close girlfriend, and my 3 yr old son were also present for the birth. What a great experience! So here is the story…

My pregnancy was quickly approaching 42 weeks and I had been strongly anticipating the birth of my second son. With my first baby, I had to be induced in the hospital because I was approaching 42 weeks pregnancy. I wanted to avoid induction with pitocin, not to mention the hospital this time around. I was pretty disappointed with my previous birth experience in the hospital, which is why I chose to give birth at Best Start Birth Center this time around. I really wanted to give birth naturally in a comforting and supportive environment and to have my birthing choices respected. However, with my pregnancy approaching 42 weeks, I became a little nervous about the possibility that I may have to go to the hospital if labor did not start soon.

I really, really wanted to have my baby at Best Start. I loved it there! I had tried everything to jump start labor naturally: herbs, teas, homeopathic medicines, castor oil, acupressure, chiropractic, acupuncture, lots of walking, jogging, and even a ride on the seesaw and swings at the playground. Having my baby at Best Start was something that I had been looking forward to for a long time!

At my last prenatal appointment I had Sarah, one of the midwives, strip my membranes in order to try and get things going. We discussed that if I didn’t go into labor by Saturday to come in and Roberta would break my water in a last ditch effort to start labor. She explained that I would then have 24 hours to go into active labor before they would have to transfer me to the hospital. At the time I was already dilated 2cm, so I agreed. The stripping of the membranes seemed to do something, because I started to have mild, but regular contractions that evening. They gained in strength and interval to the point I was convinced that I was in labor. By the time they were 2-3 minutes apart I called the birth center to contact the midwife on-call. I didn’t want to come in yet, because I didn’t feel like the contractions were strong enough yet. I am glad that I waited because the contractions never did get any stronger and eventually I fell asleep!

Saturday rolled around, but no baby. My husband and I went to the birth center and had Roberta break my water at 1:30pm. I was already dilated to 3-4 cm . This was encouraging and made me feel very hopeful. Roberta said that labor would probably start within 45 min. to an hour. I didn’t really think that it would happen that fast with the way my luck had been going! It felt very strange walking around with that warm leaking feeling!

My girlfriend Sasha arrived shortly thereafter and we got the peach birthing room ready. I had brought a special pregnant statue to look at during labor as well as some beautiful candles and essential oil burners. We decorated and situated everything and made the room our own. Sasha and I decided to take a walk around the block to get things moving. We walked across the street where someone was having a yard sale and we looked around. We decided to walk the rest of the way around the block and return to the birth center to pick up some cash (some things caught our eye at the yard sale) and then return to the yard sale. All the while I was feeling gushes and it was quite odd. As we rounded the last corner I started to feel a change in the nature of previously mild and irregular contractions. We quickly crossed the street and were walking along the side of the birth center when I felt a strange pop and then a sinking pressure. I stopped in my tracks and I knew that labor was actually going to start! I felt my first good contraction as we waited by the back door for my husband to let us back in. The plan was for me to use the restroom quickly and get a change of clothes and then return to the yard sale. However, as I tried to change clothes, the contractions started to really pick up and became so intense that I knew I was not up for walking around the block again. I knew I wasn’t going to be leaving the center anytime soon without a baby in my arms!

Sasha ran quickly back to the yard sale and even scored an awesome deal on the antique mirror I wanted. She told the man that I was having my baby across the street and he let her have it almost for free!

I changed into my nightgown and was now having to focus through my contractions. They were really intense and coming every 2-3 minutes and I was starting to whimper. Roberta said that I was now in active labor. I was so relieved! It was now about 2:40pm and it had only been about an hour since my water had broken. I was happy that I didn’t have to go to the hospital and I felt a huge relief! I was now at 4 cm. Josh and Sasha tried to comfort me with massages, but the contractions were so intense that I was unable to enjoy it. The massages felt like over stimulation and all I wanted was for everything to be quiet and still (except for the nice relaxing music that Sasha brought for me). I tried sitting on the birthing ball for a while. Roberta asked me if I wanted a water birth (yep!) and had my husband start the water. I thought that it was maybe a little soon to be getting in the tub, since I had only been in active labor for a few minutes, but the contractions were too intense to resist a warm inviting tub of water. I slid into the tub and felt like the edge of the contractions was instantly relieved! I was able to let go and relax much more.

Once I started relaxing, the contractions kicked into overdrive and all of the sudden the contractions felt like they were just too much to take anymore. I really, really wanted a natural birth, but wow…I was really having a difficult time coping all of the sudden. Roberta checked me and I was dilated to 5cm. At this point, Josh telephoned our home to have our son brought to the birth center to witness the birth of his brother. I was really having a hard time dealing with the contractions, especially because I thought it would be quite a while still before the baby was born. I told Sasha and Josh, “I know I told you to tell me ‘no’ if I started asking for drugs….but I really think I want something”. They were really great and tried to get me to try other natural remedies. Josh tried holding my hand and Sasha put some lavender oil in the tub. I then started to become very vocal about wanting pain relief. Once I figured out that they weren’t going to give up on me, I started to try to beg Roberta for medication. She told me that she thought the baby would be born within the hour and the drugs needed a couple of hours to wear off. She said everything was changing so quickly and the baby would come too quickly. I have to admit that I really didn’t believe her! I thought she was just telling me that to make me feel better. Roberta brought me some homeopathic pulsatilla for fear and I took some of my rescue remedy.

I really had no concept of time at this point. Only fifteen minutes had passed since I was dilated to 5 cm, but I felt like it was a couple of hours! I told Roberta that I felt like I wasn’t getting a break in between contractions. She said I was in full transition and I was dilated to 8-9 cm and to push when I felt the urge. I knew now that she wasn’t pulling my leg! I was so ridiculously glad to hear this….I could cope with the pain much easier when I knew that the finish line was so close. I no longer felt like I needed pain medication at all. No wonder everything was so intense, I dilated from 5cm to 8-9cm in about fifteen minutes! In fact, I had only been in labor for about an hour and a half total! I didn’t get much of a labor “warm up”….I just jumped right into the hard part!

I felt a sense of inner calmness and awaited the urge to push. I knew that the baby would be here soon, but my toddler hadn’t arrived yet. I really wanted him to be there for his brother’s birth. I started to get kind of upset that he wasn’t there. It felt good to start pushing with my contractions because it gave me an active means to deal with the pain. Roberta reminded me to feel my baby’s head. It was so hard and round! I remember his brother’s head being very soft. I took my time pushing because I felt like the head was very large. I wanted to ease it out the best I could. I did little pushes at a time. The baby’s head was crowning. I looked down and saw lots of light reddish/brown hair. Roberta was so reassuring and comforting. Surprisingly, the actual delivery of the head was not very painful compared to the intense transition contractions. We heard a car pull up, and sure enough my 3yr old son, Monty had arrived! Sasha ran out and grabbed my son at an astonishing speed! She brought him in and stood him at the edge of the tub next to where she was sitting. I was so happy to see him. He was so excited to be there and was smiling and giggling the whole time. It was so encouraging to see my son bursting at the seems with happiness. This was one of my most favorite memories of the birth experience. I was so motivated to push the baby out now! The burning sensation was countered by all of the excitement and knowing that all of the pain and hard work could be over with the next push or so. At last his head was born (with a nice fist next to his head) and then the shoulders. I reached down and pulled my baby up onto my chest. Big brother Monty exclaimed, “can we take the baby home now?!” and we all laughed. The baby was so calm, but at the same time alert. He held his little hand up to my face and turned pink immediately. He was a big baby too (9lbs, 13oz)! He seemed to really like the warm water and I think it was a nice transition for him. He seemed to know who I was already.

I wrapped him up in a warm towel as the water drained and we waited for the placenta to arrive. Josh and I looked at him and couldn’t believe how red his hair looked. We agreed that Killian was a good name for him. We had liked this name before the baby was born, but we wanted to make sure that he “looked it” first. Killian began to nurse right away and Josh cut the cord after it stopped pulsing. After taking a few curious peaks at the baby, Monty went into the waiting room because he wanted to play with toys. I gave Killian to Josh to hold while Roberta and Sylvana helped me out of the tub and into the bed. Killian cuddled close to me and nursed some more. I can’t begin to explain the elation that I felt as I laid in bed with my new baby boy. I have never felt so on top of the world! I was so proud that I able to give birth naturally and couldn’t believe the entire labor only took about two hours!

My positive birth experience at Best Start really helped me to heal the old wounds of my previous unfulfilling hospital birth experience. The staff at Best Start was so wonderful! They helped me to have the birth I have always wanted. I couldn’t have wished for more! I felt incredibly empowered by my birth experience at Best Start. It was truly the happiest moment of my life thus far, and I will keep that memory with me for the rest of my life!