Darlene was everything I wanted in a midwife. I interviewed several before I found her. I had never had such a wonderful health care provider. Every check up she answered every question that Michael and I had. She provided us many resources for natural products and information on topics such as circumcision, vaccination, and homeschooling. We felt very well taken care of. She was there for us from the very beginning of pregnancy all the way though to breastfeeding troubleshooting.
January 15, 2006
The contractions started at about four or five in the morning. I got out of bed and started pacing out apartment. They continued. I drank a large glass of water, and laid down. They continued. So at around six I called Darlene and told her I thought that I was beginning to go into labor. She told me to try to rest and call her every hour to keep her updated. At about nine she arrived at my apartment and when she checked me I was 4 centimeters dilated. We walked around outside, ate, and tried different positions to see what was comfortable and helped labor progress. At around three the contractions started to get stronger. During the strongest one I had had yet my water broke. It felt like something had popped in my lower back. I was in the middle of the contraction and couldn’t say anything but “water”. So I got handed a glass of water. We all laughed and then I changed into a large over sized tee shirt. . Throughout my labor Darlene checked my blood pressure and the baby’s heart tones. I really appreciated this because it gave me assurance that everything was going along smoothly. I had my birthing tub set up. I got in at around 7 centimeters. At this point everything got very hazy and intense at the same time. I felt almost outside of my body, but at the same time more in tune than I had ever been before. People took turns putting pressure on my lower back and helping me make deep throaty moans to help with the intensity of active labor. At nine centimeters I got out of the tub to so she could check me. Darlene applied Evening Primrose Oil to my cervix and then I was at a complete ten. The pushing felt good. I remember her getting topical anesthetic out to give me a shot in case I torn, and the sight of the needle made me very determined to get the baby out without tearing. Madeleine shot out at 5:30 like a football. No tearing. Michael my husband caught her. She was 7 lbs. And 2 oz and 21 inches long. I was so amazed all I could think or say was, “Wow, there was really a baby in there.” Shortly after that I delivered the placenta and got cleaned up and in bed. Madeleine started nursing like a pro. I don’t think that I slept all that night. I just couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was amazing
-Madeleine’s Mom
Darlene Dorries-Scrivner, Licensed Midwife
Member of Association of Texas Midwives