Tampa bay HOSPITAL waterbirth (say what?!) {Tampa Bay Doula}

My birth story came a few weeks earlier than I expected. I knew that I wanted a natural water birth and I was determine my whole pregnancy to achieve this. In the beginning of my pregnancy I had an OB that was not caring enough for my birth plan. Around 20 weeks I started making a few phone calls, I was unfortunately ruled out of a birthing center but ended up finding my midwife that understood and supported my desire for the birth I wanted. I knew that I was going to need more support in a hospital setting and started researching local doulas. That's where Melissa came into the picture. At 35 weeks my husband and I met with her and decided she was a perfect fit.

Two weeks later, I woke up with contractions at 6am but just thought I needed to use the potty. Around 10am I got up to use the bathroom and a big gush of water ran down my legs. I called my husband and asked him to come home now. He was on his way! I then called Melissa, telling her how I've been feeling and the I thought my water just broke. She told me to relax, eat and drink as much as I could because I was going to need the energy. I checked back with her about 2 hours later and told her that my contractions were progressing and that I was probably going to call my midwife now. I called my midwife's office and they told me to go to the hospital now. I asked if I absolutely had to because my midwife knew I wanted to labor at home and the answer was yes. So we started to pack our bags that weren't ready because I thought I still had 3 weeks left to prepare. Off we went to the hospital around 1pm still feeling good but just having to pause during each contraction.

We enter the birth room with the tub in the corner. It was surreal. My belly got strapped up to a monitor for a few minutes until I needed to use the restroom. After that I was not hooked up to any monitoring and that was just awesome. While waiting for Melissa to arrive I was getting asked all these questions, I asked for a few minutes to answer while Sean texted Melissa and asked her for support. Even though she wasn't there just yet she was still supporting us. I laid back in bed and got extremely tired. I did not want to move. At this point Melissa and my midwife showed up.

All I wanted to do was sleep. Melissa tried to encourage me to get up and moving but I just didn't have it in me. She started to use a pain relieving technique where she squeezed my back and hips that relieved the pain through each contraction. Wow, did that help! I got offered some apple juice and guzzled a whole bunch down. After a few cups, Melissa suggested I get up again but I didn't want to she then suggested I get on all fours in the shower and I liked that idea. So up I went with my husband in the shower. He had the water running down on my back while massaging my back to ease the contractions. At the end of the shower, I had the urge to push and that's what I just did! I felt like the time was coming so I wanted to get in the tub quickly. My husband didn't get in right away but held my hand and tried to ease my pain. Melissa was right there encouraging me and telling me how great I was doing. About 15 minutes after being in the tub, I made a different birthing noise and my midwife knew it was getting close. She turned me over and checked me, I was 10cm!! My baby was getting so close. I wanted Sean in the tub fast so he got right in. He sat right across from me, and Melissa took his seat and sat right behind me. I got to feel my baby's head before I pushed him out. That was so empowering! I wanted to meet him so bad! I kept pushing and my baby came earth side at 3:49pm.

Since my baby boy came a few weeks early, I never did get the chance to call Mary Catherine and set up my placenta encapsulation. Melissa handled everything and took my placenta with her to give to Mary Catherine. What a relief that was!

Melissa made my birth experience perfect. I could never thank her enough for being apart of our special day. She will always be a part of my story! Melissa is a wonderful doula and is always available by phone, text and email! She always has an in depth answer for me. She will be at my next birth for sure!