In July 2005 I was 9 months pregnant with my first daughter. I knew nothing about normal pregnancy and delivery. I thought just like most OBGYN’s do now: Birth is guilty until proven innocent (or complicated until proven uncomplicated). I read all the mainstream books and watched the mainstream TV shows about birth…..

I was induced at 39 weeks because I wanted to be …… I was SOOOO ready to meet my baby! And the doctor “was going to be working at the hospital on Saturday anyways”. On a Friday night I checked into the hospital and was given prostaglandins on my cervix. In the AM I was given Pitocin. The baby’s heart rate dropped when given Pitocin but came right back up to normal, which I now know is quite normal. A that point, I was 2 cm dilated and 0% effaced and the baby had not dropped.

At around noon I was given an epidural. It was suggested to me from the nurses because if an emergency happened I did not want to have to be ‘under’ (general anesthia) for the c-section. I consented and the baby’s heart rate briefly dropped again, which again know now is pretty normal.

After 2 quick drops in the heart rate and no progression from the induction I was told it would be better to have a c-section, and my husband and I consented without reservation. Our sweet daughter was born at 2:21pm! So exciting! Looking back, my body probably just needed another week or two, but alas….. we had a healthy baby and I was HAPPY!!!

The only problem I seemed to have from major surgery was breast feeding. I think it was all the drugs in our systems and the fact I was not able to nurse for the first few days. Being incredibly stubborn about nursing successfully I started asking A LOT of questions and reading a lot about breast feeding. After about 6-8 weeks I was able to nurse her exclusively and without having latch troubles.

That nursing quest got me on the road to natural health! I will never forget the day the Nurse Lactation Specialist at the Pediatrician’s office said “Go to a health food store and get Fennel tea. It will help increase your milk supply.” I was shocked that a health professional was suggesting something outside the realms of FDA drugs.

That simple statement led me to where I am now. I realized doctors are not Gods (though useful in certain situations) and that the medical establishment does not have all the answers….. and neither does mainstream the mainstream “normal” thinking. My views on parenting, nutrition, healing, birth, marriage, and God were all challenged and ultimately radically altered. Even though this first birth had so many things that went “wrong” I am incredibly thankful for my four year old daughter, and the experience that was a catalyst for so much of what we hold dear now.

Next I’ll tell you about my second birth – A great hospital birth and VBAC!

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