My husband Michael and I were in your 4-week birthing class in June. I wanted to thank you so much for all that you taught us and how you helped us to prepare for labor! Our son William is now 2.5 months old…he was born July 24th at Piedmont. I ended up developing HELLP Syndrome at the end of my pregnancy, and our baby boy came at 37.5 weeks. Thankfully I was so far along when this happened. Also, I had a fast labor for a first child and therefore was still able to have a natural, vaginal birth. It actually turned out that I wasn’t even allowed to have an epidural due to my condition, so even though we desired a natural birth we were especially grateful we had taken the course! The breathing techniques got me through labor :). I did end up having to have my water broken and was given Pitocin halfway through my labor because the drug I had to be on for HELLP slowed my labor (I stayed at 8 cm for 2 hrs after being put on Magnesium Sulfate). Because the cure for my condition is to birth the baby, they wanted to get him out as quickly as possible. I’m so very thankful I was able to have him vaginally! I was told if my labor was too long I could’ve had to have a c-section. It was a scary labor and experience in many ways, particularly due to my high blood pressure and very low blood platelet count, but I’m so thankful for how The Lord protected me and for our safe and healthy little boy! I love sharing my birth story now with others.
I also wanted you to know we were very pleased with Piedmont hospital! They have birthing balls there in every room and all of the staff we experienced were very affirming of natural childbirth!
Laura P.
P.S. My brother and sister-in-law were in your Saturday course yesterday!
