Savonna came to Our Community Birth Center for her fifth pregnancy looking for personalized care where she could really be listened to by her health care provider. For her previous pregnancies, she received care at PeaceHealth’s Nurse Midwifery Center and McKenzie Midwives, but after the closure of both midwifery programs, Savonna was unsure of where to turn to for her fifth pregnancy. After searching online for local midwifery care, she came across the website for Our Community Birth Center and saw AlexAnn’s photo. “I’m going here!,” recalls Savonna. “That’s the sign I needed.”
AlexAnn—who saw Savonna for care when she was a midwife at PeaceHealth’s Nurse Midwifery Center—was able to get Savonna in for an appointment a couple days after her initial call so she could be seen about some issues that were concerning her.
Stepping into Our Community Birth Center for the first time, brought Savonna back to how she felt during her first pregnancy because of its homey feeling. That’s not surprising since many furniture pieces from PeaceHealth’s birth center were donated to Our Community Birth Center after its closure. “It just brought me back to my first baby,” says Savonna.
During her previous pregnancies, Savonna struggled with painful back labor and she had anxieties going into this pregnancy about experiencing it again. She was able to express this to the midwives at the birth center, as well as her doula Jen Nelson, who all supported her with pain management tools, including lavender oil, deep pressure on her lower back, and using the birthing tub. Savonna recalls: “Jen said, ‘if you start to feel anxious, tell us and we will figure out how to help you out.’”
The first moments after birth are a sacred time for parent and baby, and the midwives at the birth center honor that time by giving families space to soak in the moment. “At the hospital, I felt rushed, like I didn’t have much time with my baby after birth because they were in a hurry to cut the cord, weigh the baby, etc. Instead, at the birth center, you have your baby right away.” 
“This birth was amazing,” says Savonna. “I felt like I had a lot of support.” Savonna was impressed by the birth center’s teamwork: “Everyone was working together and so supportive.” She also appreciated being able to use the birth center’s secure messaging system, Spruce, when she had a question. “I loved using Spruce because I felt really connected to the midwives. Even when I had a simple question, they were on top of it!”
As a busy (and recovering) mom of now 5 children (ages 7, 5, 4, 2, and newborn), Savonna was thankful for her postpartum home visit and support she received from her doula in her home. This allowed her to rest comfortably at home and saved her an additional trip to the pediatrician. Savonna’s other daughters adore their new “sissy” and love helping care for her.