Rising Moon Midwifery

I had my first child in the hospital. I had planned on a homebirth but ended up being a direct transfer due to very low amniotic fluid levels. I had a great, gentle birth with a wonderful doctor after I had labored at home until 8 centimeters, but I longed for an actual homebirth. When I got pregnant again, I found out my midwife had stopped practicing. After trying another practice, I finally switched to Rising Moon mid-pregnancy. I was having a really difficult pregnancy. I had nausea and vomiting for two months that left me home from work on bed rest with my stay at home dad husband nursing me around the clock with fluids and gulps of food. My doctor suggested acupuncture, which I did, but Kate and Merle were more realistic about the effects this was having on my psyche and health and were understanding and sympathetic of my decision to take medicine to control it. Kate is a seasoned naturopath but her willingness to support my use of Western medicine was very important to me. Within a couple days of trying medicine I was back on my feet and feeling great.

The rest of the pregnancy went well and Kate and Merle were there to answer all of my questions. I felt tremendously nurtured. I had planned a performance series in my home for the week before the due date, taking a cue from my first baby's late arrival. I watched the first performance and immediately following had my first contraction. Some of the performers were staying with us as guests, one of whom graciously filled the birth tub. I labored about five hours and finally called Kate and Merle to let them know it was time to come. When they arrived I was 6cm and "stretchy". Later I found out they expected a short stay. Well, I labored on for another twelve hours with very languid contractions that stayed far apart. I explained that this was how my first birth had gone and they were satisfied that the baby was doing well. In my own home, I was able to be alone and go in and out of the birth pool when I felt like it. I was so relaxed! To everyone's astonishment, I had a long "rest and be thankful phase" far into active labor. I was able to nap for over an hour. Afterwards, with my energy up, Kate and Merle helped me get into a good position for encouraging descent. It worked and the contractions got more intense. Because I was in the birth tub, though, I felt very relaxed and never overwhelmed. Maybe I was a little too relaxed, because it wasn't until a friend (the godfather, in fact) called and I got mad that the ringer wasn't turned off that I gave a serious push. A couple of pushes and she was out. Kate and Merle cleaned up and took care of examining me and the baby - she was fine and I had no tears or abrasions, barely any soreness. it was the most gentle birth possible - it truly makes a difference at home. A few hours later I was able to enjoy the sounds of the next night's performances. Having performers traipsing through the house in the days following was not relaxing, but I didn't mind following such a gentle birth.