Welcome Sylas Orion

When I found out that I was pregnant in December ‘08, I was already 7 ½ weeks pregnant. The last thing on my mind was whether or not going to the hospital was even an option. Making a meager wage as a barista at a teahouse wasn’t exactly going to fund a childbirth of any kind. When my boss found out I was pregnant and took me off the schedule (because of morning sickness, supposedly) I was even more unprepared for the whole adventure of pregnancy. I applied for Medicaid and tried to find an OB-GYN who hadn’t filled her quota of Medicaid patients. That was an adventure in and of itself. There weren’t many options for Doctors at all; I had to take whatever I could get-that is as soon as I qualified for Medicaid. It took forever- so it seemed. I was finally able to see the doctor after 19 weeks. I was far enough along that they were able to tell the baby’s sex at the first ultrasound! (Yeah! We were having a boy!) The doctor was nice enough as far as I could tell from the fifteen minutes I saw of her. I left the germy, uncomfortable hospital feeling pretty good. I wasreally pregnant. It was all really happening.
My boss put me back on the schedule in February making a shabby $2.13 an hour and only one shift a week. I was back in the work-force… sort of. All my co-workers were chock full of advice (even the ones who had never had children). One Co-worker in particular kept bugging me about my birth plan. I didn’t even know what that was! He was always bombarding me with questions about whether or not I planned to have an epidural, or if I had ever considered Homebirth. I initially just brushed off his questions and his information. By the 100^th time he suggested that I watch The Business of Being Born, I finally caved. If it was sooo important that he relentlessly asked if I had watched it- maybe I should check it out. I am so glad I did. That documentary opened my eyes to things that I already subconsciously feared. I did more research and realized that a Homebirth was what I wanted. It was what my unborn son deserved! Having him in the Hospital was suddenly completely out of the question. My partner completely agreed with me but we had no idea what to do next. I was nervous and still seeing the OB-GYN (who wouldn’t talk about a birthing plan-at all.) I was distraught and wanted to do the best thing for me and the baby, but what could I do?
A close friend of mine listened to all of my woes and told me that I should talk to the midwife that she was seeing, Christy Tashjian. My mind was full of a million questions. Could I afford this? I was having a hard enough time getting food on the table. I was another young 20-something surviving on food stamps, Medicaid, and what money my partner could provide. It was tough times and I was already scared that I wasn’t going to make it. I called the Medicaid office to find out if they covered Midwives, only to find that of course they didn’t. I didn’t think my Homebirth dream could come true! I was distraught but Christy was willing to work with me.
I had another scheduled appointment with the OB-GYN which I figured I would use to get my medical records for my appointment with Christy. I told the nurse, when I arrived, that I wanted copies for an appointment with a midwife and she was very helpful with providing those. However, when the doctor arrived to the room, she was the most talkative I had ever seen her. She took my blood pressure and did the usual routine but then she paused , “So I hear that you are going to go see a midwife.” It all went downhill from there. I felt like I was listening to a used car salesman as she ranted about all the possibilities for horrible things that could occur with a homebirth (all the things she mentioned could’ve happened in a hospital) and how she didn’t feel that midwives were good enough for me and my baby. What do you know, she was also suddenly interested in discussing a birthing plan. She continued to try and sell me the idea of a hospital birth and she included “You can try and do it drug free but if you need we have everything else for you as well.”… but my ship had already sailed. I was not interested in her spiel. In fact I was completely appalled and offended. I’d already done my research.
Thanks to an amazing, kind-hearted midwife like Christy (who was willing to trade services; barter) I was able to have my dream homebirth! Christy was so sweet, kind, considerate and always armed with practical, healthy advice during my pregnancy. When my partner called her on August 10^th because I was in labor, she arrived promptly and calmly at my front door. It was such an amazing experience to say the least! I was in the comfort of my own home, surrounded by the few that I loved and chose to be there. We listened to my own choice of music. I was able to move around at my own leisure, walking, chilling in the birthing tub or hanging out in the bathroom. It was so empowering to be able to do this. I feel like it helped my self-esteem tons! I ended up giving birth in my own bed under the incredibly calming guidance of Christy and her assisting Midwife, Faith. Everything went so well! I was amazed when my little son was laid in my arms at 2:48 am. I had done it! I gave birth without all of the drugs, without stitches or a c-section! Women are amazing and Midwifes are Incredible. I am totally blessed to have Christy in my life and to have been given this amazing opportunity to have a homebirth!