The Birth of Finnley

By Roots Community Birth Center client, Caeley Gonzalez

When my husband and I were planning to have a baby, I already knew I wanted to go to a birth center. This was our first child, and I was weary of a traditional hospital model of care from my own past experiences and from what others had told me. I searched for birth centers in Minneapolis and talked to a few of them on the phone. Even though I didn’t have any health issues, most birth centers excluded me because of my BMI, which was my only risk factor. When I talked to Megan at the Roots front desk, she said they accept people of all sizes. I chose Roots for my prenatal care because they are the most inclusive. Roots gave me a chance.

Around 10 weeks, I had my first appointment. I liked going to Roots right away. It’s very laid back and cozy, and everyone is friendly. I also loved that they have late appointments because I work until 4:30.

At my 28-week appointment, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Everyone at Roots was so supportive. Rebecca and Kiana talked to me in depth about my diet and gave me resources. I also appreciated that Rebecca was straightforward and told me that if I couldn’t control the gestational diabetes with my diet, I would have to switch to a hospital birth. In my eyes, a hospital birth was the worst case scenario, so I wanted to do everything in my control to avoid that.

I got my blood sugars under control, then at my 32-week appointment we found out that the baby flipped into a breech position. Willa and Rachel both suggested I see a prenatal chiropractor and gave me a list of chiropractors in the area. They also recommended positions I could try at home. Just like with my gestational diabetes diagnosis, I felt very supported. They never said, “Here’s the problem. You’re on your own.” Instead, they gave me next steps and guided me along the way. Because of that help, I was able to keep my gestational diabetes in check, and the baby flipped back into a head-down position — meaning I could have the birth center birth I desired.

Labor and Birth at Roots

A few days before my estimated due date of June 17, I started feeling cramps. Then on Thursday, June 16, I had some bloody show and what I could only describe as cramps, so I called Roots. I had an appointment with Rachel that afternoon, and during the appointment she suggested I go home and rest because my body was preparing for birth. I was already so excited to meet our baby girl. 

Later that night, the cramping sensation became so intense it woke me up. After being up for about 30 minutes, I began vomiting from the intensity, so I called Willa around 11 p.m. Since I couldn’t stop vomiting, Willa had us go to the birth center where she started an IV and gave me some fluids. We labored there for a few hours, but there wasn’t any sign of progression, so Willa encouraged me to rest and labor at home. That moment felt like such a setback, but I had been prepared beforehand that it’s common to be sent home to labor. Looking back, I’m glad I did most of the laboring at home because it was a lot more comfortable. I always knew that the midwives were a phone call away, and there was no judgment if I called too much.

Once we got home that morning, we called my doula, Josie, and she arrived at our house at 8 a.m. She was so supportive throughout the entire process, and I would not have made it through labor without her. She would breathe with me through each contraction, which allowed me to focus on her instead of the intense feelings. She offered simple touches on my arms and back. I hadn’t eaten anything since the evening before, so she went out to get me a smoothie. Between each contraction she would give me a drink, which gave me the boost of energy I needed for my final couple hours of labor. Having her there, I felt like I wasn’t alone, and in those moments where I felt overwhelmed from the feelings in my body, her presence would help to calm me.

At about 2:30 p.m., I started leaking amniotic fluid. I knew we would need to go to Roots soon, so I took a shower. Somewhere between 3 and 3:30, my water fully broke, and I could feel the baby’s head. We live about 15 minutes away from Roots, and I was afraid the baby would be born on the freeway. When we arrived, I made the grueling crawl up the stairs, which did not feel good. I also thought the baby would be born on the stairs. I really did not think we would make it.

Throughout my entire pregnancy, I wanted a water birth. But when it was time to give birth to my daughter, I couldn’t figure out how to get in the tub. It hurt so much, so I said, “That’s OK. I can’t do it.” Rebecca reminded me that a water birth was my dream, so I got in the tub. As soon as I sat in the water, I felt instant relief. I was glad Rebecca insisted. Initially, my husband, Hector, was in the water with me, but I asked him to get out and sit on the side of the tub. I was able to recline and put my feet on his knees as I was pushing.

Rebecca told me I was using too much energy in my head, and I needed to focus all that energy in my bottom. When I did that, I could really feel the baby move down. I also adjusted how I had my legs, and I felt further progress which was so encouraging! I knew it would be any minute that my baby would be here, and my entire mentality started shifting, I felt more clear headed than I had felt in almost 24 hours. Finnley was born at 4:30 p.m., weighing 8 pounds and measuring 20.5 inches.

Transferring to the Hospital

Rebecca immediately put Finnley on my belly, then my chest. I got to hold her, and it was a sweet time. I delivered the placenta in the water, but the birth team was concerned about Finnley’s breathing and said sometimes babies need a little more help for their lungs to work properly. They wanted me to get out of the tub while Hector held the baby.

Once I got to the bed, they used a bag on Finnley and started with the oxygen. Things started moving faster; it’s all a blur and in that moment it felt like I was watching this happen to someone else. Finnley’s coloring was blue, and when they put the pulse ox on her, her oxygen was in the 50s or 60s, which was too low. They said we needed to go to the hospital because she couldn’t keep her oxygen level up without help.

We went to the hospital by ambulance, and Rebecca was able to go with us. I shut down emotionally. I’m also a nurse, so I looked at everything objectively. As I was holding Finnley in the ambulance, I could see that her oxygen was in the 80s for the whole drive. The EMT said they wanted to get that number above 90.

During the entire transfer process and while Rebecca was doing her assessment of Finnley, she remained calm and reassuring. Looking back I see how serious the situation was, but I never felt any panic. I appreciate that so much. 

When we arrived at the hospital, Finnley went straight to the NICU. She was intubated and had X-rays done. I needed stitches, so Rebecca stayed with me and held my hand. For me, it didn’t click how sick Finnley was. I thought, “We’ll be here for tonight and go home tomorrow.”

However, after four or five days, I realized how sick she was and that it would be a while before she could come home. She was in the NICU for nine days. We’re still not exactly sure what was wrong with Finnley. The diagnosis was pneumonia, so she got a week’s worth of antibiotics. Even though she was born on her due date and was full term, Finnley was born without surfactant in her lungs. We don’t know why; it’s a piece of the puzzle we’ll probably never have.

Postpartum Care with Roots

The immediate postpartum time when Finnley was still in the hospital was really hard. I was pumping and not getting enough rest. During one of my postpartum visits with Kiana, she encouraged me to keep pumping during the day but to rest at night. I realized I was wearing myself down, and my body was starting to see the effects.

It’s really difficult to think about those nine days when Finnley was in the NICU. I still can’t look at pictures from when she was first admitted. However, I’ve accepted that it happened, and I’m grateful it was only nine days. I’ve gone over things with Rachel and Kiana. I know I’m not going to have all the answers, and that’s OK. We did everything we could and controlled what we could to keep her healthy. This is just part of our story, and there’s nothing we could’ve done to change it.

Since Finnley came home, everything’s been great. Being first-time parents, we’ve had a lot of learning to do, but it’s all felt so natural. I love our moments we have as a new family of three and “ooh”ing and “aww”ing about everything Finnley does.  

My experience with Roots has been phenomenal. In addition to the care I experienced the whole time I was pregnant, I’ve been amazed at the postpartum support. I was never left on my own. They’ve checked in and asked, “Do you need to process? Do you have any questions? What’s going on as you’ve been reflecting?” Especially with the raging hormones and the frequent crying, it’s been so helpful to have that support.

For anyone who is considering prenatal care and birth with Roots, do it! It’s amazing the amount of support I had. I have the highest regard for the Roots team. My husband and I are originally from New Mexico, and we’ve considered moving back. However, one of our considerations is that if we moved, we wouldn’t have Roots for our next baby. Neither of us want to have our care anywhere else. They are truly the best.