What an experience to be the patient, when I’m normally the caregiver. I’m a midwife at Research Medical Center and I chose to have my first childbirth experience at the hospital I deliver babies at with a midwife named Katie Lorand.
Months before my due date, I started discussing a birth plan with my husband. This gave us time to get on the same page and build a plan, so I could have those conversations with my midwife.
Katie was engaged in my birth plan from the minute I learned I was pregnant. This is a normal part of planning to deliver with a midwife. We discussed topics like low intervention laboring with a back-up plan for pain control, should I want it. We discussed the evidence-based practices for hospital birth with my wishes incorporated. We covered “what if I go into labor early?” and “what if my baby needs extra medical care at birth?”
Watch Aubree Share Her Pregnancy and Birthing Plan
After our discussions, I wrote out my birth plan. Katie made it part of my hospital medical file so the nurses working any time would have easy access to it. I also carried a copy of my birth plan with me as a reminder for my husband.
Having a birth plan in place definitely gave me a more peaceful, relaxing birth experience. I also encourage my patients to create a birth plan. While it is great to have a birth plan, things can change and your midwife will work with you to honor your birth plan while also doing what they can in order to ensure a safe delivery.
My healthy, happy baby girl was born April 27. Giving birth with my husband and my midwife by my side was the greatest experience of my life. I feel so much more connected with the entire birthing experience. I can’t wait to share my personal experiences as I care for more patients who choose me as a midwife at Research Medical Center.
These past nine months have helped me become a better midwife and I can pass on this knowledge to the patients that I care for. I recommend, thinking about your birth plan early and discuss it with your partner and your midwife. This can help you have a fulfilling, low intervention birthing experience.
Now on to breastfeeding and changing diapers! I’ll be back to caring for moms and delivering babies soon!
Meet the HCA Midwest Health Midwives
Aubree Remsburg, CNM, is a Certified Nurse Midwife with Research Medical Center – part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare provider.
Every pregnancy is unique. Your experience should be too. Design your birthing experience with HCA Midwest Health. From spacious maternity and birthing suites to gourmet meals to music playlists, we keep moms comfortable and relaxed while they prepare for baby’s birth. Learn more at hcamidwest.com/uniquedelivery.