Amanda McKay : My Birth Story
Before I share our birth experience, I want to mention how we had THE BEST prenatal care you’ll find anywhere.
Kim's time and thoroughness with each visit is unrivaled, not to mention how informative and sweet-natured she is. I felt at ease texting or calling if I had issues, and when I did she was always so calm, understanding and reassuring.
On the day Maria was born I had the same mild cramping I had on and off for two weeks or so prior. I was sitting on my birthing ball watching TV while waiting for my husband to get home. As time went by, I wondered if something could be going and texted Kim to keep her posted. I wasn’t in a hurry since I knew first births take a while, but asked Kim if she would swing by later to see if I was in labor. A little later I lost the mucus plug and noticed the cramping was kind of regular, and seemed to last 1 minute long, with 5-7 minutes in between. They were only moderately uncomfortable, so I wasn’t sure if they were contractions. I thought this was strange since those kind of contractions happen at the end stage. I couldn’t imagine it was already that time, but after talking with Kim, she was on her way.
She got there, checked, and said I was fully dilated and ready to have the baby! I couldn’t believe it!
It was too late to set up the pool I'd imagined sitting in, so I was having her on the bed. Five minutes after Kim arrived, I felt my first push reflex. Vocalizing the “aaah” sound really helped me through the more difficult contractions, and I felt comfortable with Kim there without being embarrassed.
soon I needed to change position onto all fours, and I felt like I couldn’t use my strength. But with Kim's encouragement, coaching and the help of my dear husband, I was able to get on all fours and wrap my arms around his shoulders.
Kim was a great coach when I felt my pain had gotten out of control and needed help vocalizing. She gave me the best advice: use the energy I was vocalizing with to push, and from there I no longer had to vocalize.
My pushing became much more effective, allowing quicker progress. Kim helped me so much mentally when I became afraid of having to push out the baby. She told me I needed to allow myself to accept I was having the baby. This really helped me to release the moment of fear. Kim’s apprentice Abbey arrived at the end and also helped me, encouraging me to push when Maria was crowning. which She thoughtfully took some photos of the birth. We had a big healthy girl without complications! From the time my husband and Kim arrived, our daughter was born only about an hour and a half later. It was better than I could have imagined!
Kim rolls with the punches! being in such experienced and capable hands is especially reassuring.
Kim, Abbey and her back-up midwife Mary were so helpful afterwards, like fairy godmothers. They helped clean up, drew the herbal bath, and made sure mama and baby were all set before leaving. It’s so wonderful Kim does so many postpartum visits. The first ice storm of the year happened after the birth and Kim bore the wintery conditions to keep up with our postpartum visits. Again, like her prenatal care, she’s simply the best!