Victoria Midwifery Care - Deanna Wildeman, Registered Midwife

Birth Stories

Anita ~ Astra ~ Beth ~ Heather ~ Jane ~ Jennifer ~ Jessica
Josie ~ Kristine ~ Marlee ~ Marlene ~ Melanie ~ Shannan

ELIZABETH P

My husband and I had just moved from Vancouver to the Middle East with the intention of living there for 2 years. We planned on making lots of money and then come home to Canada and buy our dream home. . . . Not!

Two weeks into being in the Middle East I discovered that I was pregnant and due to complications with the first trimester we returned home, rented an apartment in Victoria and my husband was back on patrol doing night shifts with Saanich police and I was at home unable to work because of complications with the pregnancy.

I had left my home of Vancouver of 13 years and gave up my family doctor of 13 years to a family doctor in Victoria, who had little time for me during office visits and I was definitely not 'connecting' with her on any level. I was in a place of feeling alone, experiencing tremendous change, and not myself due to the hormones of pregnancy.

My husband came home from work one day and said, 'Elizabeth, we need to get a mid-wife. . . all the guys at work have done this and say its really helpful'. Based on being a nurse for 13 years and having a holistic approach to health, my decision was quite easy to make. . .yes! So, at about 20 weeks pregnant, Deanna became our midwife.

I gave birth to Jacob Hugh on January 2nd, 2002 at 1:41am. He weighed 4lbs 12oz (four weeks early). That sounds so easy to say compared to the event itself! My husband, Wayne and I, were probably the most challenging folks that Deanna has ever had to deal with and to be honest I do not know how she does her work. There is a special quality to midwives and it goes far beyond the physical aspect of care...it's a level of care that if angels exist here on earth...then Deanna's heart emanates that level of care unquestionably.

During my last trimester I had numerous complications including: gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hypertension, probably a marginal placenta previa, and being the over-achieving perfectionist career girl that I was, there were some big-time mood swings to manage within all that. At 36 weeks pregnant, I was told that Jacob was no longer growing inside me and that I would have to be induced. I cannot tell you how sad I was. . .it was heartbreaking to think that little pumpkin was not being nurtured by his mom. I had always been able to do something about the challenges I faced in life and here I was at the age of 37yrs in a place of not knowing if Jacob would be okay and feeling very little control over the pregnancy.

The saving grace to the situation was having Deanna there discussing and advocating for us on every aspect of what it meant to be having Jacob early. She supported us through listening to our fears, worries, and tears. Each time I needed her at any time of the day or night she was there.

Jacob was delivered safely after 3 days of being induced and about 8 hours of labour. I am a former athlete, nurse, yogi and strong-minded person and I can't tell you how happy both Wayne and I were to have Deanna there for the delivery. There is no question that I needed her help. She was there through the whole labour. . . as was my husband and I never felt afraid or alone. It was so reassuring to have her there. I particularly appreciated how Deanna encouraged me to reach down and touch the crown of Jacob's head during the vaginal delivery. What a special moment to be the first person to have the honour of touching him.

Jacob was delivered at 1:41 am (same number as my husband's patrol car) in a very healthy state. He needed to be in the Special Care nursery because he was 4 weeks premature. Within Jacob's first hour of life Deanna wheeled me from the Labour and Delivery area and brought me into the nursery. Even though Jacob could not latch she made sure he rested his body up against my breast and offered him that first drop of colostrum. Pretty wonderful.

Jacob was in the Special Care Nursery at VGH for one week and each day Deanna was there to visit to ensure both mom, babe and dad were all being supported. On the day of discharge, Jacob was 5 lbs. Wayne and I were a little nervous, no, we were terrified, of taking home such a small bundle. Again, Deanna was at our door regularly and providing us with the support and education needed to get through each and every day!

There is no question that we, my husband, Jacob and I would be facing a very different outcome had we not been with Deanna. Deanna scheduled very helpful regular visits that included screening, counseling and education on all the major topics about pregnancy, birthing and post-natal care. But, what made the experience different and meaningful was that there was a caring human being supporting us through the most wonderful and powerful life experience that my husband and I have ever had.

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