Victoria Midwifery Care - Deanna Wildeman, Registered Midwife

Birth Stories

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

KRISTINE V

Tanya Baker (midwife student), Deanna and Sophia Our experience with Deanna as our midwife was very special. We always felt like we had time with Deanna, and that during our appointment she was focused on us and really grounded in the moment. Appointments were never rushed giving us the space we needed to ask questions that we brought to the appointment or that popped up after we digested the information she gave us that day. She made us feel like there were no ‘stupid’ questions and, as this was our first child, we had lots and lots of questions and concerns.

As we neared our due date, my appointments with Deanna became more frequent. She always had a video or a book for me to borrow, or would refer me to my red folder where I could find a handout to read. Once my due date came and passed, we talked about options for induction. My husband and I wanted to avoid synthetic induction at all costs as we heard it was a painful process. By day 8 (past due), Tanya (midwifery student) gave me a membrane sweep under Deanna’s direction. It wasn’t at all painful but she warned me that it could be. No luck, just a bit of spotting. On day 10, Deanna did another membrane sweep. Again, no luck, so she offered me several options. First, she sent me home with homeopathic remedy for natural induction (black and blue cohash), and, second, she gave me the name of an acupuncturist who specialized in pregnancy and birthing. I was hesitant to use the homeopathic remedy but I was keen to try acupuncture so I booked an appointment with Sacred Meridian the next day. It worked! When I left the acupuncturist’ office, the low-grade cramps began. By evening I was in early labour with contractions about 30 to 45 minutes apart. Luckily I slept through most of the early labour and didn’t start active labour until around 1:00 pm the next day. Unfortunately, Deanna was not on call that weekend so we had to labour without her. However, we were in capable hands with Tanya Baker (midwife student)—who we had gotten to know over the last few months as she was training under Deanna---and Lorna McRae, the midwife who was covering for Deanna. Both Tanya and Lorna came to our house around 2:30 that afternoon to check how far I was dilated. I was still only 4-5 cms dilated so we all agreed I would continue to labour at home and come to the hospital when I was ready. Do more stairs, said Lorna, that will get things moving. My water broke around 4:30 at the same time that I had bloody show. The stairs were certainly a catalyst for moving that along! We made our way to the Victoria General Hospital by 5:00 thinking we were still only halfway through the whole process. En route to the hospital I was overwhelmed with a sense of calm. It was almost as though the contractions had calmed down. In hindsight, this was the ‘transition’ phase. By the time we got to the hospital all I wanted to do was sit down on a toilet and push so I told Lorna this when she asked how I was. Her response: “turn on the baby warmer Tanya”!! Now I know that this was ‘bearing down’ and it is a good indicator that baby is about to debut. Within an hour of being at the hospital our little baby girl (Sophia) was born, all 7.0lbs of beautiful babe. And thanks to the capable hands of Tanya and Lorna I had no tearing. They kept Sophia’s head from pushing out once it had crowned until Tanya had stretched the vaginal skin as much as possible. We did it drug free. Painful, yes, but manageable and so rewarding to be able to feel my daughter being pushed from the womb and out into the world.

Recovering from the birth process was relatively easy, thanks to the excellent care I received at the hospital and months of planning and preparation. However, nothing could prepare me for the real work that lay ahead: caring for a newborn baby. Deanna visited me at home on Day 1, 3 and day 5 making sure that breastfeeding was going well and that Sophia wasn’t presenting with any health problems. On day 3, during a home visit, Deanna took one look at me and said you need a hug. I didn’t realize how much I needed to cry until I had her shoulder to do it on and permission to let it all out. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, she told me, hormones are powerful and being a new mom is hard work. In addition to the home visits, she also called me each day to make sure things were okay. Each time we talked I felt a renewed sense of confidence, as Deanna was careful to make sure that my expressions of frustration, bewilderment and worry were understood as normal experiences.

Among the many things that Deanna told me, two things stand out from the others: ‘stay away from the internet’ (like most new moms we tend to spend too much time caught up in the internet causing information overload and worry) and ‘Control and babies don’t mix--Let it go!’ Sage advice indeed, particularly for the likes of me who was used to having things organized and on schedule.

As the weeks went on and my confidence in being a new mom grew, we slowly cut the cord from Deanna (pun intended). At our last appointment, six weeks postpartum, we said our goodbyes and Deanna released our medical files back to my family doctor. Without a doubt we will use midwifery care again, and we have no reservations recommending Deanna to anyone. She will make your pregnancy and birthing experience both memorable and rewarding by educating and supporting you every step of the way!

Kristine V
May 2006

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