Testimonial: How They Gained Confidence In Natural Birth
Catherine and Joe's journey into parenthood was a profound and transformative experience, thanks to the exceptional care and support they received at Columbia Birth Center. It's a heartwarming story of how building trust, understanding options, and feeling empowered can end in a beautiful birth.
Catherine and Joe Gained Confidence About Their Birth Plan
When Catherine found out she was pregnant, she already had a strong conviction that an out-of-hospital birth was the right choice for her. After researching birth outcomes and quality maternity care, Catherine contacted Columbia Birth Center. She had a valuable conversation with Cynthia that reaffirmed her decision to seek prenatal care at the birth center. In a subsequent meeting with Cynthia, Catherine brought Joe with her, and they got answers to all their questions. Cynthia addressed their concerns, and her care for them that day played a vital part in helping Joe become more comfortable with the idea of an out-of-hospital birth.
However, Joe, like many first-time dads, was primarily concerned about the safety of his wife and their soon-to-arrive baby.
“I, like most first-time dads, was primarily concerned about the safety of my wife and baby,” said Joe. “I believed the safest place for them was in the hospital. I was reluctant to even discuss an alternative option. We set up a meeting for my wife and I to meet Cynthia in person and ask her all of our tough questions. Cynthia validated all of my concerns, provided some relevant statistics and shared with us the birth center’s plans for emergencies and how to prevent them. We decided to proceed with care at Columbia Birth Center and I eventually became more and more comfortable with the idea of my wife giving birth out of the hospital.”
Their differing opinions could have led to conflicts, but Columbia Birth Center provided the bridge they needed to make a mutual, confident decision.
“The care we received throughout my pregnancy was extraordinary,” Catherine reflected. “Midwives Kristin, Angela, and Cynthia provided thorough care, always emphasizing trusting my body and its ability to handle this natural process. Our appointments were never rushed, and we felt educated about what to expect from the birthing experience.”
The Peaceful Birth She Hoped To Have
The big day arrived, and it was one of the most beautiful moments of their lives. With continuous support and encouragement from the midwives, Catherine embraced her long pre-labor. As the day turned into evening, it became clear that it was time to head to the birth center.
They arrived in their room, dimmed the lights, played quiet music, and enjoyed a relaxing atmosphere. The midwives' confidence in the birthing process put Catherine and Joe at ease, helping them fully surrender to the power of natural birth.
Their beautiful daughter, Ruth, entered the world peacefully in the birthing tub, exactly as Catherine hoped. It was a magical moment filled with joy, laughter, and the harmonious welcome of their newborn. The experience left Joe in awe of his wife's strength and the miraculous natural birth process.
Exceptional Post-Birth Support And Care
Post-birth, the care and support from the Columbia Birth Center continued. The midwives ensured the new family had a smooth transition into parenthood, performing a 24-hour newborn check and offering breastfeeding assistance. Their baby has thrived, and the family loved joining us at our annual “Labor” Day Party!
This month, Catherine and Joe are expecting their second daughter and have returned to Columbia Birth Center. They're excited to embrace this upcoming birth experience with a sense of awe and joy after the amazing, peaceful birth of their first child.
“I am excited for the opportunity to labor and birth another child,” Catherine told us. “Instead of dreading the challenging work ahead, I am ready to surrender and enjoy the process because I have experienced a harmonious and peaceful birth before. Columbia Birth Center has contributed so much to our community by educating families and transforming birth culture and women’s experiences of pregnancy and birth. Our family is so grateful to have benefitted from their passion and mission.”
There Are More Stories Like Catherine’s
Catherine’s story is a testament to the impact of Columbia Birth Center and our passionate, mission-driven focus on empowering and educating families and transforming birth culture. There are many other stories from our clients, each with their own unique experience. We’re thankful for beautiful birth stories like Catherine and Joe's. Their gratitude reflects the profound difference we can make in a couple's life as they expand their family.
If you are interested in a safe, empowering, natural birth, please reach out to us. Your health and safety throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth are our number one priority. We’ll guide you every step of the way. Start by taking one small step today. Find out if we’re a good fit for you.