| Dear Jessica (and girls at the studio): I got back from the Hospital last Sunday night. I have to say that being attended to at UCLA was one of the best experiences of my life; not only because of their excellent care, but also because UCLA is a great place to give birth, an 100 % safe place for you, your husband and most importantly, your baby. As you guys already know, we changed doctors during my 35th week of pregnancy. Thanks to your help and guidance, the recommendations Julie Freitas, and half the town, we decided to go with Deborah Frank as our midwife, using Doctor Crane and Chin as back-ups in case of emergency. Everything was moving forward as planned, between the Braxton Hicks, and the holiday's family visitors, everything was very exciting, until Christmas Day when I started feeling "different". From that moment the contractions began in earnest. We tried everything, breathing, relaxing, aromatherapy, candles, hot showers, the bath tub, holding my husband… and after three days of labor I was only dilated 1 cm, and the pain was growing and growing (Toward the end of the third day my contractions began "doubling", occurring right on top of each other without break), I know that you never know what to expect and that every labor is different but... I kept trying, more breathing, more walking, more stuff, everything but sleeping, which was impossible with the contractions coming five minutes apart, My sister was here to help, and she kept having to step outside to cry (she couldn't handle my being in pain) but my strong husband was always near me, never stepping away, keeping an eye on me giving me the balance and strength I needed to continue, while waiting for me to say let's go to the hospital. But I wanted to try for as natural a delivery as possible. Finally my friend Nia (also pregnant and a doula as well), arrived at my home to help me to relax, but the pain only grew and grew. On the fourth day of labor, after six or seven visits to my lovely Debbie Frank, four hours after my water broke (and still only 2 ½ centimeters dilated) we went to the hospital. The pain was so overwhelming that I was literally high. I just didn't know if I could do anymore. A natural labor was now the last thing on my mind, my health and the health of my baby (and my husband's peace of mind) mattered more. We arrived at UCLA at 8:00 pm on the 29th of December and began attempting to induce labor but the medicines were affecting the baby's heartbeats. After five hours of trying to stabilize the babies vitals, suddenly there was no time and we had an emergency C section,, and my beautiful baby girl, Teresa Emilia was born around 2:51 am on December 30th. Teresa weighed 7.4 pounds, and was 19 inches long. She didn't cry, and immediately started breastfeeding in the recovery room. I am SO HAPPY. The baby is perfect, she's so calm, and happy… So this is my advice, "every kind of delivery is spiritual" one. Just because someone has a C section, does not mean the experience is not as great as a natural birth. The spiritual is everything that occurs to you since the conception, Trust your heart and if you feel that something is wrong, just hold you husband and trust your instincts. It may not be your birth plan, but the moment you have your child in your arms, none of that will matter. This is about you, and your family. Happy New Year to everyone there, hope I'll see you soon at the studio. I missed you all. Gabriela Rocha.
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