What made you choose midwifery care?
I wanted to feel heard when making decisions about my body and my child. I haven’t to this day had many experiences in a hospital setting, but knew from hearing other birth stories that a hospital was not going to be a good fit for me. 
How did you first hear about Our Community Birth Center, and what were your first impressions?
I had friends who had given birth 10+ years ago at the (now closed) PeaceHealth’s Nurse Midwifery Birth Center and it sounded like an amazing place to have a baby. When doing my birth center research. I was happy to find out that AlexAnn (who was a midwife at the former birth center) was still practicing midwifery care!
What were your hopes or goals for your birth experience?
I was hoping for a much faster first birth experience, but AlexAnn made me feel comfortable and not rushed. My second birth was almost too fast. My husband and I made it just in time for my second to be born.
Can you describe your birth experience in your own words?
Oh gosh. The first word that pops into my head is “calm.” But I also felt confident in myself and my body in the preparations I had made. The resources AlexAnn and the other midwives offer are unmatched!
How did the team support you during labor and delivery?
They respected my wishes with as little intervention and checking as possible. They allowed me to labor how I wanted to labor and where I felt the most comfortable and powerful.
Did you feel empowered or in control of your experience?
YES! I felt very in control of my second experience. My first labor took so long that I don’t actually remember most of it. I went into this place in my mind where I was just focused on getting through it, almost like I was repressing the memory in the moment. My husband was my biggest advocate during my first labor.
Was there a particular moment that felt especially meaningful or transformative for you?
During my second labor, I was definitely more aware of what was happening and the most meaningful part of that labor was just how relaxed everyone was despite how quickly everything happened. It all felt like a regular appointment, we were joking and chatting, nothing felt rushed even though the start to finish of my labor was just under 2 hours!
What was a challenge you faced and how did the birth center help you overcome it?
The umbilical cord was wrapped around my baby’s neck during my second birth experience, but the way it was handled was so calm I barely even registered that it had happened. AlexAnn mentioned it while I was pushing, calmly told me to give another quick push and then it was over. Luckily, my kiddo didn’t have any further issues or concerns. I feel like I am almost bragging about how uneventful both my labors were!
What kind of follow-up or postpartum care did you find most helpful?
I really appreciated the second postpartum home visit with my first baby. I was worried about how much spitting up they were doing, but AlexAnn assured me that everything was fine. She took their weight and sure enough, they were gaining more than enough.
What advice would you give to someone considering having their baby with Our Community Birth Center?
DO IT! If you are able to have your baby at the birth center, it is the most healing and wonderful experience. So many of my fears about birth and medical intervention were gone within that very first appointment.
What message would you share with other parents preparing for birth?
Ask all the questions, even if they seem silly or obvious. But even if you don’t know what to ask, the Birth Center has your back. They are so prepared with all the answers and give you the information you need—even if you didn’t know you needed it.