Birth Center vs. Hospital: Why and What We Chose

When I found out that I was pregnant I instantly knew I had to call a doctor, but what doctor? Personally I don't have a regular physician that I see so I didn't have anyone to call upon for a recommendation. A few gals in my life urged that I find someone close to home since I'll be visiting them rather often. When I chose my doctor I didn't do any research - shame on me - and it showed. I was so unimpressed with the office staff, the situations that I kept finding myself in and the service that I received. I didn't know what to do; I was feeling helpless and like the birth of my child wasn't beautiful but instead a burden upon the doctors and the horrible nursing staff.

Then I found the New Birth Company in Kansas City, Kansas. Through some recommendations and a few conversations about what I truly wanted my child's birth to look like it dawned upon me that I never wanted a hospital birth. I wanted freedom (and not to be attached to monitors, poles and a bed), I wanted natural (that means no medication and if possible no interventions) and I wanted peace (not stark white walls, itching gowns and multiple people checking my hoo-ha every hour)but above all I wanted this experience to be healing instead of a fearful experience.

After touring the facility Antonio and I knew that this is where we wanted our child to be born. NBC is filled with peace, tranquility and hope. From the moment you walk in you know that beautiful births happen there. We completed the paperwork and I scheduled my first appointment for the following week. At my first doctor's office I had a wait time of 30 minutes minimum and my appointment length was 5 to 15 minutes max. At NBC I waited 10 minutes and my first appointment was 1 hour in length. We discussed history, concerns, vitamins, diet, life choices, home life and I got to hear my little ones strong beating heart. I recall the midwife calling my child, "little love", and it warmed my heart. They are filled with knowledge and compassion; something that I think many women believe is impossible to find in the world of birthing.

How did we know that a birth center was for us?

• I knew from the very beginning that I didn't want an epidural. The idea of a long needle filled with things that my brain can't begin to understand what they are entering my spine... freaks. me. out.
• I knew I didn't want to spend a long time in the hospital and I also didn't want floods of people to see me in the recovering stages of giving birth. The awesome thing about the NBC is you're there for 4-8 hours to ensure that everything is going great with you and baby and then you get to go home. Yes! You heard that right. Privacy! Your own bed! You control who comes, when they come! The freedom was just too good to pass up for us.
• And finally, I knew that I wanted Antonio to truly be a part of the birth. To comfort me, to inspire me and to coach me to exactly what I wanted. I wanted our relationship to be strengthened by the experience. I didn't want him to remember gloves, gowns and bright lights, but instead being in sync with me, comforting me and helping bring his child into this world.

Whatever you decide remember that your child's birth is meant to be beautiful. Own that.

Until next time,

<3 Fallon, Antonio & Tyson