Victoria Midwifery Care - Deanna Wildeman, Registered Midwife

Birth Stories

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

JOSIE T

Family I actually never thought of going with a midwife when I was trying to get pregnant until my sister, Anita, decided to see one. The other reason was that with my position of working with medical Residents to become doctors, Midwifery was not exactly promoted. After researching midwifery further I found that there is much more support with a midwife pre and post-partum than with a general practitioner (who may or may not be the one to show up when you are about to deliver). This fact did not give me much confidence, considering that this would be my first child and I needed all the support and encouragement I could get.

My scheduled due date was January 22, 2003. On January 25th at 3:30 am I started feeling crampy. I suspected that this might be early labour but ignored it until it happened again ten minutes later and lasted 20 seconds. This went on until about 6:00 am when the contractions increased to 5 minutes apart and lasted about 35 - 40 seconds. The length of the contractions started to increase throughout the day. I didn't wake my husband, Kevin until about 8:30 am since I was able to breathe through the contractions without too much problem. I figured I was going to have the baby that evening and wanted Kevin to get as much rest as possible. I was scheduled for my third membrane sweep that morning, but we called Deanna to tell her I was already in early labour. Deanna said she would check back with us throughout the day when the contractions started to last one minute long and were 3 - 4 minutes apart. I sat in the tub a couple times as instructed. It seemed to take the edge off and felt very comfortable. I proceeded to rest in bed and on the couch, drank lots of fluids, and tried to eat where possible. It's funny how my appetite fluctuated throughout my labour considering how I’m usually eating all the time.

Sarah Throughout the day it took more concentrating and focus to get through each contraction. When I was checked that afternoon by Deanna, I was about 1.5 to 2 cm dilated. Despite my many attempts at leaning forward and being on all fours when I watched TV, the baby ended up in an posterior position (sunny side up), which is not the ideal position for birthing. I was a little disappointed about the baby’s position. At this point, I was still not in active labour yet. By 6:00 pm, active labour had started and I was 4-5 cm dilated, which was good news. Deanna stayed with us in our home into the evening, as active labour was progressing. I sat in the tub again for some more relief, which helped a bit. At around 10:00 pm, I went to the toilet and heard a "pop". How timely - my water had broken! Deanna proceeded to check me again and I was already at 7 cm. She suggested we head to the hospital before I became too uncomfortable.

My mom, husband and Deanna got into the hospital room by about 10:30 pm. Deanna had me go into the shower right away. It was getting very difficult to focus, and breathe through the contractions. Deanna and my husband were both very encouraging and continued to help me breathe through them. I must have been in the shower for about 30 - 40 minutes, when I started feeling the urge to bear down. I was starting to feel too hot in the shower so I proceeded to get out and into bed. During this transition phase, I was starting to get a little panicked as I was having a more difficult time with the contractions. I asked for something to take the edge off. Deanna agreed to give me some "gas". I used it for about 5 - 10 minutes and it seemed to work initially, but then it wasn't working so well anymore and I wanted something stronger. Deanna said she would check me first and then we would talk about it.

Sarah & Family When she checked me at 11:25 pm, I was already 10 cm dilated! Deanna told me that it was o.k. for me to push. She also indicated that the baby ended up turning to an anterior position with all the contractions, which would make for an easier birth. What a relief! I pushed through about six contractions. I was pushing way beyond the count of ten at each contraction twice, rather than trying to push three times in a row at each contraction. It's true when they say your body just takes over when you have a contraction - you automatically want to push through it and it is actually a relief because it's more productive. I focused on what Deanna wanted me to do, while my husband, Kevin and my mom held both my legs and encouraged me like a cheerleading team. The baby crowned practically right away and I could feel the rim of fire which was only temporary since the head ended up coming out so quickly. Deanna had to suction the baby before I was to proceed pushing any further. The baby appeared to have swallowed some meconium. It was so hard to blow instead of push when I felt a contraction coming on. Unfortunately, at this point when Deanna told me not to push, I felt another contraction. My body just took over and pushed automatically anyway. I heard a big gush, then a snap, and the rest of her body felt like it shot out of me. The gush was the rest of the amniotic fluid which provided a good cushion for baby Sarah. As a result of my pushing on the last contraction, when I shouldn't have, I had a couple mild lacerations but nothing that required stitching which we were both rather surprised at. Sarah came out with quite a wail and then stopped right away with eyes wide open, already exploring her new world and listening to everyone's voices. My mom, Kevin and myself were elated. Kevin and I were in shock that Sarah was finally here. We were both so excited. Kevin announced the sex of Sarah and cut the umbilical cord. As we were occupied staring at this little miracle, I got a shot of oxytocin while Deanna delivered the placenta. Sarah nursed right away and weighed in at 6 lbs. 6 oz., 47 cm length, 33 cm head. Her official name is Sarah Gau-Yee Terlesky (representing half Ukrainian, half Asian). Gau-Yee means “one that speaks positively” and “joy and happiness.”

Throughout this whole experience, I was really amazed at how little I panicked and how relatively relaxed I was through the whole process. I attributed most of that as a result of our prayers, others who prayed for me, Deanna's knowledge and education of the whole birthing process, and the reassurance and encouragement of my husband, Kevin, and my mom. All these factors calmed my anxieties and fears of the whole process. It helps to keep things in perspective - after all, it's just one day. The hard part began when we brought Sarah home. We are just so thankful for this miracle from God after suffering a previous miscarriage two years prior.

I really liked the fact that Deanna was there for us day or night, and was easily accessible, especially post-partum for six weeks. I think that support was so important especially for me as a first time mom. I found that it helped calm some of my anxieties about how I was feeling and how my body was adjusting as well as how Sarah was doing. I would highly recommend Deanna to anyone considering a midwife for their first, or subsequent births. The knowledge, support and encouragement that Deanna and other midwives provide are truly invaluable.

Josie, Kevin and Baby Sarah

Top of page