A lot of unexpected feelings have come up with writing this post. When thinking about how to approach what I want to say, I thought “I should keep it light!”. The thing is though, birth isn’t always light. When my first child was born, I trained my sister in law to use my camera so she could come and photograph my daughter’s birth. Preparing for this post, I went through those images and tears came straight to my eyes. My first pregnancy was unexpectedly complicated. My daughter’s birth was not straightforward and peaceful. The days that followed were not easy and joyful. What I can say though, with complete certainty, was that the BID Plymouth OBGYN staff were there for me every step of the way.
My BID Plymouth OBGYN Experience
My Pregnancy
To start, my first pregnancy was fairly easy. I had some morning sickness, but nothing extreme. Some time around 30ish weeks I started to feel extremely itchy. Laying in the bath trying to soothe my aching skin one night, I decided to consult Dr Google. Itchiness in pregnancy can be normal, but it can also be a sign of something called “Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy” or ICP for short. Somehow, I knew that this was the case for me. Early the next morning I called one of my BID Plymouth OBGYN midwives, Agnes Densmore, and raised my concerns. In the ICP community, it is unfortunately common for providers to initially brush off concerns. Agnes immediately took me seriously and had me come in for a visit. Ultimately, I was right.
High Risk
Suddenly, I was in the high risk category. ICP requires frequent monitoring as well as early induction for the safety of the baby. As a self proclaimed “birth nerd” I was immediately crushed by this information. I chose BID Plymouth despite living all the way in Quincy because I wanted a more intimate and natural birth experience. Visions of laboring in the birth tub had danced in my head, not wires and interruptions. The end of my pregnancy was supposed to be relaxing as I nested, not filled with appointments. The midwives and OB providers at BID Plymouth cared deeply about how this change impacted me. It wasn’t what I had pictured, but I came to treasure my non-stress-test appointments and extra ultrasounds. Getting to see my daughter and hear her heartbeat often reassured and soothed me.
A long induction
On my birthday, at around 37 weeks pregnant, I set out to BID Plymouth to begin my induction. From the very beginning, the nurses, midwives, and OB providers listened to me and gave me options. Informing me and involving me in every decision, they kept me at ease during the long days that followed. Seeing so many of my favorite providers during my induction process, including Agnes, Shelley, and Hope, helped me keep my spirits up. Finally, after arriving on Tuesday, Friday came and I was still not in active labor.
My Birth-day
The morning started with my hopes circling the drain. I was sure that my day would end in an emergency cesarean section. As tears filled my eyes, an angel of a nurse named Sue came into my room. Her words and demeanor were exactly what I needed to dig me out of the pit I was in. A sign that she made for me saying “You can do this!” still hangs on my fridge today. Ultimately, we had one last ditch effort to try to get me into labor. Lizzie, my midwife for the day (who no longer practices with BID Plymouth OBGYN), came in to discuss the plan with me. With my approval firmly in place, they would break my water. No more than 30 minutes after doing so, things were happening!
Welcoming Stevie
Despite being hooked to and IV and having to be monitored, my birth experience with BID Plymouth OBGYN was empowering. Allowing me to move as freely as I could, and only checking in on me when needed, the staff let me run the show. My husband, and my doula were my main supporters in the process and worked seamlessly alongside the hospital providers. Even while in the throes of labor, I was still consulted before checks. A blissful, “natural” birth was what I had originally thought I wanted…but ultimately it was this, the power of choice. I brought my daughter into this world surrounded by loved ones and providers who honored me as her mother.
BID Plymouth OBGYN
My introduction to motherhood was not smooth, yet BID Plymouth OBGYN still made the experience as personal as possible. After my daughter was born, they stood by my side in experiencing post birth complications, and in the weeks that followed my transition home. As many mothers do, I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety. My providers at BID Plymouth took me seriously, and checked in on me often. Many of my favorite midwives still practice at BID Plymouth and I enjoy getting to see them through my routine OBGYN care. If you are looking for providers that value your opinion and concerns, and strive to keep you as essential to your own birth story, BID Plymouth may be the hospital for you.
If you are also looking for a newborn photographer that cares about your individual story, I just might be the right one for you! My experience as a mother completely drives my newborn session experience, making it as comfortable and low pressure for my clients as possible. Reach out to me soon and we can chat about the hopes and dreams you have for your newborn photography session.
