I have seen two sides of birth. The hospital one with my first child and the one we were all made to have with my second child at Holistic South. They provided me the opportunity to have the most beautiful birth I could have ever imagined. I woke up that day at 6:30 AM with the urge to pee. My mucus plug started to come out and the faint contractions I had been having for days felt just a bit stronger that morning. I waited to call the girls at the birth center instead of waking the midwife on call so early. I knew I could have a baby today or maybe 2 days from now... By 9 AM, my contractions were varying from 5-7 minutes apart, but very tolerable. The midwife and I agreed that I could labor at home until I felt that the intensity increased or I just felt the need to be there at the center. I was tending to my toddler throughout the day with no problem until around 2 PM. I flipped on some cartoons for her and took to the kitchen counter as my refuge for the next hour or so as I worked through some intense contractions. I started timing them and they were 3-5 minutes apart. I walked outside to where my husband was on the roof and politely interrupted his conversation with a friendly neighbor. I asked how long he would be on the roof. He said he could be down in 10 minutes if I needed him to be and I told him that would probably be a good idea. My mother-in-law came to pick up the then baby soon after. As she pulled away with her, my contractions increased to another level. I breathed the breaths I was taught at the center and I could feel that I was every bit closer to meeting my new baby. The feeling was emotionally overwhelming and I had a good cry on my husband before we left the house. Looking back, I was saying goodbye to the life we had as a family of three. I welcomed the new love that would be coming into our lives, but I knew things would be completely different very soon. It was overwhelming to say the least. I got myself together and said “Okay, I’m ready” and off we were. I held my husband's hand through the contractions and we arrived at 5:15 PM at the birth center. The midwife and the birth assistant greeted me and probably didn’t think I was very far long until I had a contraction as we headed to the back room. They took one look at me after it had passed and said “We’re having a baby today!” I was 7 cm dilated. We took to some walking in the halls and ended it up in the birthing tub about 20 minutes later. The water was perfect and I labored while the doula and the team cheered me on. My doula was my rock. She held my hand through each surge, but it felt like she was holding up my whole body. She had so much faith in me. They all knew what I was feeling and they guided me perfectly through what otherwise would have been quite a fearful experience. Having the company of women who knew natural birth inside and out was what I needed. It’s what every woman needs in that moment. The man upstairs put me in the right hands and He was my strength through these women. I never felt like I couldn’t “do it”. I never felt like anything was wrong. It was the complete opposite of what I experienced in the hospital just a year and a half prior. These people had all the tools to show me that everything I was experiencing was normal and that I was working my baby out on my own perfectly. My baby was born after 15 minutes of “pushing”.. I could feel exactly how I needed to move and I worked that baby down smoothly with every efficient surge. I couldn’t feel that with the blind pushing through an epidural with my first. I looked down to see her floating beautifully just below me. Someone said, “pick up your baby” and she was in my arms at 7:06 PM. I looked to see if it was a boy or a girl. We had waited to find out until that moment. It was the most beautiful moment. I got to hold her first. I got to see her take her first breath in my arms. There was no pain, no tearing, no poking or prodding. Just me and my baby while everyone looked on. I thanked God with all my might then just as I had with my first child. Everything I had experienced in my life brought me to that moment. And I cherished it.

I was up and feeding the baby within minutes. We had a delicious smoothie that the doula made for us and were on our way less than 2 hours after having our girl. We did a drive-by hello to my brother-in-law, picked up sushi, and got our firstborn so she could meet her sister. We were in bed by 10:30. All four of us together. This is the way we were made to have babies. I wish every woman could experience birth this way. It will change your life. You know how strong you are. You see how Mother Nature is instilled in us. All of this gets stripped from us in the hospital in many cases. The medical system these days says we don’t know what we are doing without them. And they are wrong. They are required at times, but the great majority of us do not need them. Yet most are convinced we do. In the words of the midwife, Ina May Gaskin... “Remember this, for it is as true and true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic.”

Dear Debra!! Our baby Teo is born! I was in labor for a bit more than 30 hours. It was intense, sometimes I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it, but we did!!!! Surges started on Monday, Dec. 29th at 11 pm and baby Teo was born today at 5.30 am Dec. 30th, 2014! I’m so so so happy with my happy and healthy baby! 7.2 pounds 🙂 Also he’s breastfeeding great! Thank you so much for your amazing help and teachings! You really made a difference in my life. You made my pregnancy even more beautiful than it already was. Thank you so much!

"If we hope to create a non-violent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life. For that is where out deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation, or love and trust.”

To the entire practice of Holistic South, I can't thank you enough for the amazing experience we had bringing our baby girl into the world with your help! You made us feel like family and with your love support and expertise, I had a beautiful waterbirth! The guidance and three years ago bringing our first into the world in a natural way. The prenatal classes, hypnobirthing, gave me confidence and the knowledge I needed. Thanks to everyone at Holistic South!

Our birth experience was a dream come true! It was everything we imagined it would be and more. The staff at Holistic South treated us like family throughout the entire pregnancy. Our birth plan was successful. Everyone was very understanding and attentive to our needs. We both felt that birthing our baby boy at Holistic South was the safest option for our family and the greatest decision we could have made. We will definitely be back for our second child and wouldn't change a thing. So much gratitude goes out to the whole staff at HSPBC!

The service that you receive at HSPBC is perhaps the most necessary one for humankind. The education, support and love provided by the entire team were top-notch! The facility is clean, the office staff is efficient, and our birth experience was exhilarating yet controlled. Debra's ability to guide the process from day one to the birth is flawless. We have to give a special thank you to our gifted midwives, we are forever grateful. Thanks to everyone at HSPBC so much for every interaction. This was the best way for us to birth our "love" into the world and we felt that any family would have as positive of an experience as we did!

I cannot say enough good things about my first visit to your Center. This being my first pregnancy I was worried and nervous about finding the right care but as soon as I walked through the door you calmed my nerves and made the experience an easy one. Thank you HSPBC!

If you're looking for positive and supportive prenatal care and birthing experience, Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center is the absolute best option. During prenatal appointments, I never felt rushed and as a first-time mom always felt comfortable asking questions and for guidance. The midwives and nurses were absolutely wonderful, always sharing their abundance of knowledge and making me feel cared for. My birth experience was beyond what I ever expected. My midwife was an absolute blessing, and the birth team was so incredibly supportive and calm throughout. I never felt rushed, stressed, or that I had to be on the defensive to advocate for myself and my desires. The staff always made me feel so comfortable and empowered. I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience and truly recommend the center to anyone looking for a natural birth with care under the most incredible individuals.

An incredible and supportive place for prenatal and birth care. I was surrounded at all times with love and was encouraged to follow what I wanted out of my birth. Instead of being a scary experience as most describe it, it was enlightening, empowering and made me feel proud of what I and my body could accomplish. Thank you to Debra, and the beautiful birth workers, for an incredible birth experience. Gianluca was brought into this world so beautifully thanks to your love and support.

I had an incredible labor that only lasted 3 hours total with little pain and no medication at all. Thanks to you and your yoga classes and teachings, was totally prepared and highly recommend you to all pregnant ladies. Thank you. Be back for Postnatal with baby Yoga.