Birth of Elio

I contacted Ugne just 10 weeks into my second pregnancy. My previous birth experience was a major shock to my system and I already knew I wanted to do things differently. On the day I was supposed to meet Ugne I miscarried. She offered to come over a few days later and sit with me. Her presence was immensely comforting during my time of crisis and sorrow and we connected immediately. She continued to support me through the ups and downs that follow pregnancy loss, reaching out regularly. 

Four months later I was able to share the news with her - I was pregnant again! But after a brief moment of excitement the anxiety set in. What if this one wouldn’t make it either? Ugne kept reminding me that this was a different pregnancy and to trust my body. She offered weekly NADA acupuncture treatments to help put my mind at ease and calm my nervous system. I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through those first tough months without her support. 

Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy Ugne helped me work through the trauma of my previous birth. I attempted to come to terms with what had happened and overcome the fear of history repeating itself. I had a dream of a peaceful home birth, but was afraid of becoming disappointed again. My baby was 13 days past due, and those last weeks were an emotional roller coaster. I faced a lot of pressure from the medical system to induce, but Ugne reminded me that it was my own choice and encouraged me to trust my intuition. 

I’m so glad that I stood firm in my decision to wait for the labor to start on its own, because I ended up having the most magical home birth. After the long wait, my son was good and ready to be born and the birth unfolded much more quickly than I expected. Ugne managed to arrive just 20 minutes before my son was born, and she helped support me from behind as I delivered my healthy baby boy into mine and my partners hands. The fact that the midwife arrived a half an hour after the birth was completely irrelevant. I felt so safe, confident and at peace giving birth in my own space, on my own terms with the loving support of my partner and Ugne. Giving birth completely free of medical intervention and interruption was the most empowering experience of my life. It helped to heal the trauma of my previous birth and restored my faith in my body and my intuition.

I thought that having a doula at my birth would help me do birth better - that Ugne’s hand’s on assistance in the process would ensure a better outcome. But in reality it was the way she helped me prepare that made all the difference. Our work together made me understand that I had all the answers within me - that all I needed to do was to trust my body and the signals my baby was giving me. When the time came, I was so confident in my ability to bring my baby into the world that I was completely comfortable with my birth being unassisted. I didn’t know that I wanted a free birth, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed in order to heal. Ugne’s presence at my birth was extremely comforting, but she wasn’t there to save me from the trials of labor. She was there as a witness, watching me save and heal myself. I will forever be grateful to Ugne for helping me find my inner power and for walking with me throughout this truly transformative pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. I feel so fortunate for her presence of in my life and for all the lessons she has taught me. 

___Melanie