Testimonials and Birth Stories
Also in this section: Ada's Birth | Aristotle's Birth | Antonio's Birth
Aristotle's Birth
When
I first became pregnant, I was nervous and unsure. I knew that I didn't
want a hospital birth and I knew that I wanted to find a like-minded midwife.
Upon first meeting Astrid, I knew right away that I had found what I was
looking for in a midwife. Astrid was able to quickly put me at ease and
feel more comfortable in my own body. Over the months, the emotional and
physical changes were far easier to cope with Astrid's guidance and candid
observations of pregnancy and childbirth. By the time the birth came,
I felt prepared and even excited. Over the months, Astrid provided education
and a zen confidence building.
The birth itself was lengthy but doable. This being my first birth, I didn't know what I was doing, but Astrid made every moment intrinsic, organic, and well-founded. For the first hour of pushing I was pushing wrong. Astrid gave guidance that was direct and easy to follow, making the remaining pushing productive. I gave birth to a 10 pound 10 ounce baby. What I was unaware of at the time was that the shoulders were stuck. Astrid was not only aware but calm, kind, and in charge. She pulled the baby out as if it were just another breath. When my husband found out what had happened, we both knew at that moment that Astrid is amazing.
I should also mention, I was also seeing a doctor because I was nervous that something would happen to make a home birth impossible. The doctor was invasive at best. She constantly made poor decisions in regards to my health. The doctor made me feel incompetent to have the baby properly and to then care for my baby. The doctor filled me with fear and doubt. Astrid drained the fear and doubt and replaced it with love and confidence. This was not a service that was listed as a standard midwifery task, and I will forever be grateful for it. It transcended not only my psyche as a woman, but as a mother. After a couple of months, I wanted to stop seeing the doctor. Initially my husband was apprehensive. After a series of events poorly handled by the doctor and properly handled by Astrid (the first of which was Astrid's availability and the second is Astrid's profound knowledge), my husband changed his mind. He quickly shifted from saying "call the doctor" to "call Astrid."
I now have a beautiful baby boy who began life at home...as it should be and without the invasive procedures of Western medicine.
Thank you Astrid for everything...it is a life-long gift you have given me and we are forever grateful.
-- Marcela Cardona Williamson
(Mother of Aristotle Cardona Williamson, born on April 19th, 2008)