Kelly Martin's Page

On July 21st at 3:55 PM we welcomed our little girl, Michelle Nancy. We had an absolutely amazing birth experience at "The Birthing Inn", the only stand alone birth center in Tacoma, WA. We knew we wanted a water birth and originally planned to birth at the hospital. We hired a wonderful doula, knowing we would need all the support we could get to have a natural birth at the hospital. At 37 weeks pregnant, my husband finally watched The Business of Being Born and halfway through the movie he said to me "We can't do this in the hospital! Is it too late to have a home birth?" I always thought he felt more comfortable with the hospital and he thought I felt more comfortable with the hospital when in fact NEITHER of us wanted to birth there. My provider at the time did not deliver at home or at the birth center so I was afraid it was too late. I called my doula in a panic and she quickly referred me to the wonderful midwives at "The Birthing Inn". I met with Susan Sherwood LM, CPM that day, we got my records transferred from my previous provider where Susan could see I was low-risk and at least 37 weeks pregnant. Immediately my husband and I felt so relieved! Finally, there was absolutely no question in our minds that our birth plan would go according to plan.
I went into labor about 3:00 AM on July 21st. We met our doula and midwife at The Birthing Inn at 9:00 AM. Every step of the way, they were amazing. I was unable to keep fluids down due to labor nausea and Susan immediately recognized the importance of getting me intravenous hydration which was easily accomplished right then and there. In the final hour, the bath tub was filled and at 3:55 PM I gave birth to our little Michelle Nancy in the water, just as we had planned all along. Four hours later, we were clear to go home, or stay in the beautiful birthing suite for up to 24 hours. We decided to go home. That night, we slept as a family together, in our bed, in our home. All the pain, all the work, so worth every step of the way. We have so much gratitude for Susan Sherwood LM, CPM, Amy Gordon LM, and doula Kelli Hancock for all the amazing work they do at "The Birthing Inn" to make every birth the BEST BIRTH!