New Arrivals

 

*Zemra Moon Ogranaja - 10 lbs., 2 oz. - June 10th

Naomi Rose Shaw – 8 lbs., 3 oz. – July 1

Greta Maëlle Tauschinger-Dempsey – 8 lbs., 9 oz. – July 2

Daniel Jeremiah Futrell – 8 lbs., 3 oz. – July 4

Zoe Sylvia Eliazar – 6 lbs., 13 oz. – July 4

Diego Jonathan Chicharro-Schoonmaker – 7 lbs., 4 oz. – July 5

Claire Piper Wittenberg – 7 lbs., 11 oz. – July 6

*Kathryn Sophia Reeves - 7 lbs., 13 oz. - July 8

*Raenan Eliyah Porch - 8 lbs., 15 oz. - July 10 

Suinina Maryam Hatley – 8 lbs., 4 oz. – July 11

Elliot Sheridan Stocki – 8 lbs., 4 oz. – July 12

Rayhana Zainab Khalil – 8 lbs., 14 oz. – July 14

Rebecca Marie Goldstein – 7 lbs., 1 oz. – July 15

Piper Noelle Ray – 9 lbs., 3 oz. – July 16

Zaiden Lee Decker – 8 lbs., 6 oz. – July 16

Malcolm Chalmers MacLean – 7 lbs., 5 oz. – July 18

Caplan Matthew Phoenix – 8 lbs., 2 oz. – July 18

Gillian Joelle Bullard – 7 lbs., 1 oz. – July 19

Christian Sergey Bottolfson – 8 lbs., 13 oz. – July 21

Nalin Averey Adhikari – 6 lbs., 12 oz. – July 25

Lydia Geneva Blodgett – 8 lbs., 6 oz. – July 26

Abigail Grace Shyshnyak – 7 lbs., 10 oz. – July 27

Jackson Elijah Tapley – 9 lbs., 13 oz. – July 30

Clayton Fox Pearce – 7 lbs., 4 oz. – July 31

 Kendall Maria Dixon - 8 lbs., 6 oz. - August 7

Embry Savannah Harrison - 8 lbs., 6 oz. - August 7

Cyan Miles Read - 7 lbs., 2 oz. - August 8

Martigan Dale Vaughn - 8 lbs., 9 oz. - August 9

Wesley Robert Marks - 7 lbs., 2 oz. - August 12

*Cecelia Rae Jewitt - 7 lbs., 12 oz. - August 13

William Leigh Richards - 8 lbs., 1 oz. - August 14

Eldon Christopher Mumma - 8 lbs., 4 oz. - August 14

Amelia Ida Ramsey - 7 lbs., 12 oz. - August 15

Graham Elliott Mayhew - 8 lbs., 6 oz. - August 16

Oliver Thomas Higgins - 8 lbs., 12 oz. - August 16

Elena Angel - 8 lbs., 6 oz. - August 17

Noa Rayne Pipkins - 8 lbs., 15 oz. - August 19

Maverick Alexander Oldre - 9 lbs., 3 oz. - August 19

Cosmos-Rye Io Rosenberger-Coyle - 7 lbs., 8 oz. - August 20

Tiernan Caoimhe Quigley - 7 lbs., 14 oz. - August 21

McCarron Elizabeth Ebright - 9 lbs., 6 oz. - August 21

Jacqueline Anne Friedman - 6 lbs., 10 oz. - August 22

Braden Lee Kochies - 7 lbs., 11 oz. - August 23

Stephanie Paulette Davis - 7 lbs., 14 oz. - August 26

 

*pictured above

Welcome to the World, Little Ones!

 

If you'd like your baby's birth announced in the newsletter, send an email to missy_swanson@hotmail.com. Be sure to include baby's name, weight, and birth date, and feel free to attach a picture. We'd like to hear from all WBWC moms, whether you delivered at the birth center or UNC!

Kree Everet Wells – Your Birth Story

 

By Mary Ellen Wells

 

 

 

 

Your due date (April 28^th) came and went, as I expected (your brother was two weeks late). I planned to have you at the Women’s Birth and Wellness Center, which is a midwife practice, one of only two in our state. The Birth Center is low intervention, so I don’t have the option of any pain medications unless I want to be transferred to the hospital. I was a little nervous because my first delivery (with your brother Kai) was long and difficult, and I ended up with an epidural so I could rest before pushing him out. Many seasoned moms told me the second one would be easier, so I trusted I could do it. I really wanted a simple, no-intervention birth, because I felt it was best for you.

 

On May 9^th, I was only dilated to 2 cm, so the midwife did a membrane sweep. It was really painful, but would hopefully get things going. Contractions didn’t start, though. On May 10^th, I went in at 10 am for a second membrane sweep (Sarah did this one). I was 4 cm dilated. It was excruciatingly painful, but I started having contractions around 11 am. They were between 3-5 minutes apart and went on all day. I describe them as mild, so I just went about my business. I didn’t think you would come by that night.

 

I had been frantic getting things ready at work, in prep for maternity leave. At 2 pm, I did a webinar for my new students. I sat outside on the deck at our house and actually had my contraction timer going and took a pause every few minutes for one to pass. My students probably had no idea, and I really didn’t take the contractions seriously either. I still thought it would be another day or so, and I was dreading the thought of induction, so I blew them off. After the webinar, I had a conference call for work that lasted until around 4 pm. After I got off the call, I told your Dad that I had been having contractions regularly, and he said, “You might want to call the Birth Center.” I called and talked to Emily. She said to get in the tub and see if they eased up. And, to call back in an hour either way. I got in the tub and they didn’t ease up. I called back at 6 pm and she said to come on in and get checked. She was calm and she made me feel better and not panic.  

 

We asked our neighbor Karen to come over and watch your big brother Kai. Everything was calm, and we said goodbye to Kai, made a few phone calls, and left for the birth center. It was only seven miles away. Once we got there, we got set up in the blue room. Sarah checked me and I was still only a “loose four, tight five”. I was surprised I had hardly dilated any more since that morning’s sweep. She said for us to go get dinner and come back around 8:30 or 9 pm. She did say that she thought I would turn the corner quickly. I was still in doubt, and reality just didn’t set in. I really thought it would be a few more days. So, Johnny and I went to the Mellow Mushroom on Franklin Street. We sat outside and the contractions actually started getting stronger. I told the waitress to bring our pizza in a to-go box. Within five minutes, I started having really strong contractions. I could barely breathe through them. Johnny gave me the keys and said he would wait for the food and I started walking to the car. I couldn’t even make it to the car. I hung on for dear life to the dumpster behind the building, about 30 feet from the car. Johnny got our food and found me back there. I told him I couldn’t walk to the car, so he pulled up and I crawled in. I couldn’t sit down. I was on my knees facing backward in the passenger seat, hugging the headrest and moaning loud through each contraction. I called the birth center and said “get the tub ready, I’m on my way”.

 

 

Johnny raced to the birth center with the flashers on. Thankfully it was only a mile or two away. We got there and I felt paralyzed with each contraction. I had to have help getting out of the car, but I walked into the birth center. I felt like I had to go to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet. Sarah checked me right there and said I was at seven centimeters. All of a sudden, I had an overwhelming feeling of distress come over me because I remember that it took hours to get from seven to ten last time. Each contraction was excruciating, and I didn’t think I would be able to make it for “hours”. Johnny, Sarah, and Lorraine helped me get in the tub. I couldn’t even make myself lie down because the contractions were so intense. Sarah used the Doppler and said your heartbeat dropped and she wanted me to get on all fours on the bed. Johnny helped me out of the tub and I did like she said. Within a minute, I felt an enormous urge to push and said “I have to push”. I didn’t know what was going to happen since I was only at seven centimeters a few minutes before, but my body just took over and started pushing. I let out a primal yell and to my disbelief, Sarah said “the head is out”. After another push or two, you were actually here. Sarah was great. She was so calm and knew just what to do.

 

I was just so overcome with emotion. All I could do was fall on the bed and lie there. I saw you lying there beside me and they were wiping you off. You looked so still and weren’t crying (just like your brother). And, I asked “is he alive?”. It’s funny because I asked the same thing with your brother. Shortly after, we cuddled and you started nursing like a champ! You came out so perfect and I was amazed. Your head wasn’t even mis-shapen. I guess because you were only in the birth canal for a few minutes. You were born at 8:47pm, only 11 minutes after we arrived at the birth center. You were truly an amazing delivery. I could not have asked for any better. Oh, and we still got to eat our pizza just a bit after you were born!  

 

   Thanks so much to your dad (Johnny Wells www.johnnywellsphotography.com) for taking some amazing photos to document your arrival.

 

Spotlight: Erin Robertson, RN, IBCLC, and Lexa Henry, CNM

Erin Robertson, RN, IBCLC, returns to the birth center after spending the last two years as a home birth assistant and Lactation Consultant in Portland, Oregon.  Prior to that time, she worked as a nurse for the Women’s Birth & Wellness Center for six years from 2005-2011.  During her time at the birth center she helped create the Birth & Wellness Boutique and served as the buyer until 2011.  She still loves the boutique immensely but has returned to the birth center in the exciting leadership role of charge nurse.  Coming back to the birth center feels just like coming home to a family of warm, welcoming arms. She is so happy to be home. 

 

                Erin is the mother of three beautiful kids - Liam (13), Lillie (10) and Maeve (5).  All three of her births were waterbirths into the hands of midwives.  In her time away from the birth center, Erin enjoys running, yoga, hiking and meditation.  She spends as much time as possible out in nature.  She loves crafting and sewing, especially with her kids.  She has a passion for sustainable living, gardening and dedicates her extracurricular studies to holistic and preventive modes of healing and health promotion.

 

 

 

 

Alexandra "Lexa" Henry, began her midwifery journey when she witnessed her first birth at the age of 15.  After receiving a BSN from the University of South Florida in 2008, Lexa worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Tampa General Hospital.  She earned a MSN degree from Frontier Nursing University in 2013.  While pursuing her certification in nurse midwifery, Lexa also worked in the newborn nursery unit, where she cared for newborns and mothers together immediately following birth, promoting bonding and early breastfeeding.  After graduating, Lexa moved to North Carolina with hopes working in a birth center setting.

 

 Lexa lives in Chapel Hill where she enjoys going on bike rides and trying out local restaurants.  She spends much of her free time with her longtime boyfriend, who also resides in Chapel Hill. Lexa also enjoys traveling as much as possible and cooking for friends and family. We are excited to welcome Lexa to our staff of wonderful and gifted providers.

Easy No-Cook Summer Pasta Dish

by Claire C. McKiernan

What’s better than a light, fresh pasta meal for summer? This dish can be served warm, cold, or in-between. Bonus, this is a one-bowl recipe! All ingredients are rough estimates: add or subtract based on your tastes.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (if raw is too strong for you, lightly sauté minced or sliced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until lightly tanned—about 1 minute—don’t burn it!!)
• 6 basil leaves chopped or julienned
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups or more tomatoes (halved cherry tomatoes are ideal, but chop into bite-sized pieces whatever is fresh and delicious)
• 6 oz. fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 box cooked pasta (any kind, rotini works well)
• fresh-grated parmesan, as a garnish

Mix olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add tomatoes and lightly toss. Ideally, let this sit covered on the countertop for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld (if you are in a hurry, don’t sweat it). Add mozzarella and pasta (I told you to use a large bowl!) and toss until well-coated.  Plate it and top with parmesan.

Optional Protein Addition:  add bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken or a drained can of garbanzos (a.k.a., chick peas). Either protein will absorb the flavors well, so add them when you add the tomatoes (if you add chicken, refrigerate it while it rests).

Buon appetito!

News from the Board

by Kaaren Haldeman

We hope you have all had a restful and relaxing summer and are ready for the cool fall weather and warm colors we adore here in Chapel Hill. We look forward to our upcoming celebration of ten years as an independent freestanding birth center and ringing in another ten to come! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to such a special place.

Boutique Bulletin