Lauren's Birth Story

DECEMBER 16, 2003

The Birth of Lauren

As told in 2003 by Lauren’s mom and The Birth Center client, Sarah

Prologue:

Anniversaries give us moments to pause and remember. This birth story re-emerged in 2020 during the year of The Birth Center's 20th Anniversary. it was such a lovely memory, just three years into The Birth Center serving women of the Sacramento area, that it seems worth sharing even now, 17 years later.

Lauren’s birth story:

I had heard about The Birth Center (TBC) from an article in the Neighborhood section of The Sac Bee. Later when I was trying to get pregnant (my second pregnancy), I called and came for a tour. I did not enjoy the hospital experience when I have birth the first time. I knew I wanted something different – more relaxed.

My labor began as I woke up on the December 16, 2003. I was feeling a little crampy – and it progressed from there.

We decided it was time to get to TBC when the pain was getting pretty bad. I was having a hard time focusing on my breathing – and I really wanted to get to the Birth Center and into the birthing tub!

My birth/labor was amazing! It was a fast labor/delivery compared to my first in hospital, which lasted 14 hours. We arrived at TBC about 1 pm. I was dilated to 5. I used the birth ball at first, focusing on my breathing. I went into the tub about 2 PM, and pushed Lauren out around 2:30 pm.

At the end Lauren’s heart rate was dropping and the cord was around her neck, but Ruth handled everything in such a calm manner. I was never worried for a second. After delivering Lauren my placenta would not come out so I did have to get a shot of Pitocin and then it did come out fine. Before I knew it Jack was cuddling the baby while I was sewn up (in such a way that I was in no discomfort the next day).

Later we had dinner while still recovering at TBC. I breastfed Lauren and then we went home. Had her at 2:30 pm, home by 6 pm to my own bed! Perfect! The Birth center’s nurse came to check on me 2 days later. I could not have imagined anything more perfect. Why deliver a baby in a hospital and be up all night poked and prodded…….you aren’t sick!

Would I have done anything differently? Absolutely not. I enjoyed having such a private feel in the birth – no family and friends there – only my husband, Ruth and Alethea. It’s what was best for us. I tell everyone how fantastic my experience was, giving birth without medication. What a great feeling it was!

For more information about our prenatal care and birth services at The Birth Center, visit https://www.sactobirth.com/prenatal and https://www.sactobirth.com/birth-services.