When Jessie Lopez transferred to Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center, she was hopeful that the health center would meet all her birthing needs. “It took me to my third trimester to know what type of birth I wanted. The more I talked to my current doctors, the more I knew they weren’t able to fulfill my needs.” Jessie was firm on having a natural birthing experience this time around because her first child was a cesarean delivery. And, while her doctors agreed to help her have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), Jessie started to second guess if her doctors were still on board. “My doctors were telling me that I needed an epidural to have the baby. They would debate and switch. The closer I got to my due date they were trying to talk me out of my birthing plans.” At that moment, Jessie knew she needed to find a health center that would support her birth plans and encourage her along the way. “I learned from my first delivery. I felt like I could have advocated for myself more back then. This time around no one was going to tell me anything.”
Jessie’s doula recommended she consider the Family Health and Birth Center as her delivery option. And, after a phone consultation with the Director of Midwifery, Jessie was confident in her decision to transfer. “She told me I didn’t need an epidural! She was very positive and told me, if you think you can do this, you can do this.” The affirmation and reassurance only continued when Jessie came in for her first visit and shared her birth plan with the midwife. “I had never talked to a midwife before and it was so much better. We spent an hour talking. She [midwife] wanted to know about my cesarean and what my goals were for this pregnancy. She was awesome and was so down to earth. She was non- judgmental and let me lead the appointment. I didn’t feel like I was being rushed.” Jessie was provided with professional guidance, educational resources, and free access to virtual support classes like, Meet the Doulas. During this time, Jessie could ask all the questions she wanted and feel confident as her delivery date approached. “It was helpful. They had information about the hospital and COVID-19 protocols. It calmed my nerves.” Jessie went into labor on Mother’s Day and was comforted when she saw her midwife at the hospital. “The midwife that I saw on my first appointment was there. I said, thank God she knows me. It was awesome. She knew my story and was amazing throughout the whole thing. She was meant to be there that night.”
With the support from her husband, doula, and midwife, Jessie was able to have the natural birthing experience she had always hoped for as she delivered her second child. “I instantly had a glow on my face! Yes, I was tired, but I felt like I was in paradise. I never felt anything like it. The reward was amazing, and I would do it all over again.” Community of Hope continued to support Jessie in those tender postpartum weeks. Within 24-hours of delivery, Community of Hope provided information to Jessie about postpartum and support services available to her, she was also able to attend a Meet the Doulas postpartum virtual session to ask questions and get additional guidance about life after delivery. Our team ensured she knew that they would be a resource to not just the baby but for her too. “It really felt like they remembered me after seeing so many patients. It felt like a community in a way. They remember you. They remember your face. They remember your story.” If you would like to learn more about Community of Hope’s pre-natal and birthing services please visit our website.
