How AABC turned no coverage into a Blessing For Us

A Problem with No Insurance

Lydia, our toddler and I had cheap insurance from the internet because my husband's teachers policy required us to pay almost one thousand dollars per month for coverage. We liked the thought of spacing our children two years apart so I started calling around approximately one year before I got pregnant trying to find maternity coverage. All the policies had a rule that I had to wait one year to get pregnant and they were all very expensive.

Beyond the cost savings, I'd like to share a perspective of the birth experience with my first daughter in a group provider/hospital setting, compared to the birth experience of my second daughter at Austin Area Birthing Center.

The Birth of Lydia, Our first Child

Lydia was born in Corpus Christi while Caleb was a graduate student at the UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. We had a few childbirth classes that talked about labor and pain relief options. Our doctor was part of a big group and whoever was on call delivered you. I was five days overdue and my doctor had scheduled an induction in two days.

Contractions started on their own and I arrived at the hospital about three hours later. The unfriendly nurse checked us and implied that if we lived closer, she would have sent us home. We stayed and walked around the halls. I was told , "You have been here a while so it's time to get on the labor monitor."

When I moved around the monitor flatlined but no one ever came in to check it. They hooked me up to an IV line and allowed me to have only ice chips. The night drug on with me trying to rest in the bed with all the contractions, the monitor, throwing up some and they were getting more uncomfortable.

In the morning a doctor (we never saw mine) said I was 3.5 cm and I thought I was going to die. I thought for sure I had to be closer than that. She encouraged an epidural and although I hadn't wanted one, I agreed. Around noon it was time to push. I was flat on my back and the stirrups were made for someone much shorter than me so my legs kept cramping and going to sleep. Then the doctor came back in...decided to do an episiotomy and snipped me three times. BUT, Lydia came out and was a perfect baby girl. They whisked her away and I was not permitted to hold her for almost an hour after the birth.

I had a hard time nursing and the IV really got in the way. Lots of people came in and out checking on me and interrupting rest. We tried asking a question about the baby at discharge and the doctor said, "I am the mommy doctor, not the baby doctor." I had lost a lot of blood so we stayed in the hospital for two days. The end result was a wonderful daughter but it was pretty traumatic getting there. Tops on my "next time" list was being able to eat, not being continually monitored and different pushing positions.

The Austin Area Birthing Center

After we were pregnant we began our prenatal appointments at AABC. It is a very nice facility with great people. We never had to wait too long for appointments. We got to meet all the midwives. They were all professional, knowledgeable and personable. The Santa Fe labor and birth room was really comfortable and the fireplace and candles were a nice touch. As our due date approached most of my pregnant friends began scheduling their inductions. I was glad not to have that pressure.

The Big Day

God and Gloria finally decided eight days past her due date that it was time. During Lydia's afternoon nap my water broke. If I had been out in public, it would have been movie worthy because it was everywhere. Contractions started in a few hours and I tried to relax by watching a movie and resting. Around midnight, we headed to the birthing center. While labor and delivery is never fun, the AABC was a very pleasant experience. On Friday I was 3cm and when we arrived I was 4cm so there was still a way to go. Joan , our midwife , had lots of good suggestions. I threw up some but ate popsicles and drank juices to replenish my energy. I really enjoyed the birthing ball which I used in the room and in the shower and laid over it on the bed which was the best way to pass the time. I tried to do the Bradley thing and sleep but it didn't work so I stuck to the pelvic thrust and that helped a lot. Caleb did a great job responding and not responding. Joan said I was progressing well so they got the deep bathtub ready for me. I was able to relax there and after a bit I felt like pushing. Joan checked me and said I could push if my body told me to. It was completely different from being told what to do.

I pushed and Gloria was almost born in the water but I got out with help and into the bed. I pushed for 30 minutes on my side with Caleb holding my leg up. I could see her come out because of my position and when just her head was out, she stuck her tongue out. So she finally emerged at 4:30am and they put her right on me and she nursed. She never left us while Cat, the midwife assistant did all the regular tests, gave her a warm bath, and took care of both of us.

I think it was great that the midwives cared for both of us and we could talk to them about either of us. We three took a nap on the big bed and it was wonderful compared to the hospital bed and uncomfortable couch for Caleb. I had to have an IV for bleeding but was able to go home at the regular time. Back at home, Caleb and Mom took care of us while I rested and got to know my new baby.

AABC was a very agreeable way to meet our baby girl and it all started because we didn't have maternity insurance.

Gloria Joy Harris, Oct. 1, 2008 7lbs. 9oz., 20 inches