Meeting our midwife

Well into my sixth month, I called The Farm to check on availability for a January birth and it turned out that all the birthing houses were pretty much booked up.  Nonetheless, the midwives seemed really committed to seeing what they could do for us (thank you for the putting in a good word for us Kari Jenkins!).  About a week later, I got a call from Joanne Santana, one of the first settlers on The Farm and one of the original midwives that worked with Ina May Gaskin to establish The Farm Midwifery Center.  It turns out that Joanne lives now outside The Farm in Hampshire, TN (about 15 minutes away from Summertown and a bit closer to Nashville) and has a birthing house right next to her own abode that was available in January.  Hearing this news, we jumped at the chance to schedule our first pre-natal appointment with her.  We had the privilege of meeting with her yesterday afternoon (after accidentally making a wrong turn, thus getting a tour of the quaint town of Mount Pleasant).


With all the reading I've done about The Farm and The Farm Midwives, apart of me was expecting this tingling, magical experience upon meeting our midwife, but I quickly discovered that Joanne and the other midwives are regular women just like you and me, but they possess extraordinary passion, knowledge, and commitment to giving women and their families choices about childbirth.


Joanne's home was very cozy with a wood burning fire place in the living room and it was there that we discussed her background, how she came to midwifery, and about our pregnancy.  We also got to ask our questions.  The biggest question people ask is "What if you had to have medical intervention?  Where would you go?  Who would take you there?"  The Farm Midwives are very well-known at a county hospital that is less than 25 minutes away, so if for some reason, we had to transfer, Joanne would call ahead to let them know we're on our way and take us there.  One thing I know to be true through all my research and in talking to other mothers that chose to give birth with The Farm Midwives is that they are vigilant in ensuring things are as they should be for a natural childbirth.  Because they are so proactive, they will not be caught off-guard and a choice to transfer for the safety of mother and baby will be made sooner rather than later, if necessary.  The care we will receive is world-renowned (literally!).


After doing an intake (looking over the medical records I brought and asking us a ton of necessary questions), she did the basics in terms of checking my vitals, measuring my belly (29 cm-- right on target for my 29th week!), and listening to our baby's heartbeat.  Rich got to listen too and I just love the look of complete wonder he gets on his face when our little guy really makes his presence known.  We made a follow-up appointment for the end of November and during that appointment, we'll go to the clinic on The Farm in Summertown to check my hematocrit, which is an indicator of iron levels in the blood.


My OB/GYN (whom is a dear friend that I adore) was completely supportive of our choice to go with The Farm Midwives.  The only thing that showed up in my 20th week ultrasound that we need to be cautious of is marginal placenta previa.  Complete placenta previa is when the placenta is completely covering the cervix and this is nothing to play around with.  Women with complete placenta previa must have a C-section to ensure the best outcome for themselves and their babies.  With a marginal placenta previa like mine, typically, the placenta moves up to where it needs to be on its own, but we all agreed that another ultrasound somewhere between my 32nd and 36th week is a good idea to ensure that the placenta has indeed moved up and we're all systems go for a natural childbirth.


We wrapped up our appointment with Joanne by gingerly and respectfully checking out the birthing house next door.  A couple had just given birth there the day before and when we walked in, the beaming husband was holding his tightly swaddled little boy, proudly asking us if we wanted to take a peek.  Later when I talked with Rich about our experience over dinner, he said that seeing the joy on this new father's face solidified our choice in his mind to go this route.  The atmosphere in the house was that of total calm....in how many hospital settings can you say the same?


I want to recognize my husband for lending his complete support in my decision and desire for a natural childbirth, guided by the expertise of a midwife.  When most people automatically assume that you're going to have a baby in a hospital (because that's what's viewed as "normal" these days), it can really put a partner or husband on guard in defending or having to explain a different choice.  Regardless of what resistance we may get, this decision is one of many that we will make together that others may not necessarily understand or agree with and that's okay.  They have their own choices to make or they've already made their own choices.   When it comes to how we want our son to enter this world, this is ours.