January - 17, 2025

Jessie’s Birth Story

A challenge that I had with this pregnancy was that I actually had gestational diabetes. I’d never had that before, and I was really scared that I’d be told I had to go to the hospital and stay with an OB. But the birthing center was very happy to bring me on. I did have to control it, but they stayed really on top of it, which was very comforting.

At the hospital, I was never allowed to have a lot of options outside of epidurals for pain management. They never let me stand in the shower or be in a tub. Doing that here was such an improvement! I’ve ripped in the past while giving birth, but this time I didn’t rip at all. This was the first birth where, as soon as I was done, I felt completely fine.

It was so cozy here. It felt like being at home, except I didn’t have to clean the mess after.

I definitely felt much more listened to here than I ever have in the hospital. In the hospital, I always had to fight staff who kept pushing me to get an epidural. Constantly, they’d ask, ‘Are you sure you don’t want an epidural, hon?’ And while you’re in labor, that’s the worst question to be asked when you don’t want one.

Here, they never asked if I wanted an epidural. Instead, they were always monitoring my comfort: ‘Do you want to get in the shower? Do you want to sit in the tub? Are you okay where you’re at?’ They were really on top of making sure I was comfortable and safe. I felt very safe here.

At My Family Birth Center, I was able to direct the energy of the room. I brought pictures of Christ and placed them in the room. I also brought pictures of my grandmother and great-grandmother, who have passed away. I really felt their presence during my pregnancy and actually named my baby after my great-grandmother.

I told Loretta during my appointments that it was important to me to have the spirit in the room. And that’s exactly what I felt.