The following story is shared with the client’s permission. It was originally published in the newsletter:  “Pregnancy & Birthing News” (Vol. I Issue 2, July-Sept. 2006), Gentle Beginnings, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Patti was surprised to find out she was pregnant with their third baby. More than that, she was now faced with being at risk for possible life threatening complications.

In her previous pregnancies Patti had developed a condition known as pre-eclampsia, which can lead to eclampsia (or “toxemia”). Eclampsia threatens the life of both mother and baby. Patti had severe pre-eclampsia in her previous pregnancies, and both were delivered by Cesarean section.

But Patti hoped to avoid history repeating itself. Since Patti’s last pregnancy, she and her husband Rick had learned a lot about the value of proper nutrition for preventing illness.

They had made some changes in their lives since Rick’s diagnoses of diabetes. In fact, Rick completely reversed his diabetes without the use of any medications.

Patti knew she needed good prenatal care. She also wanted to avoid all the problems she had previously faced, including a repeat c-section.

However, Patti was concerned that medical doctors could not help her avoid pre-eclampsia or a repeat c-section. Regarding pre-eclampsia, her experience with her doctor was being told matter-of-factly, “We don’t know what causes this.”

At the time, Patti knew very little about midwives, but she decided to interview one to learn more. She scheduled an appointment with Beth Overton, LM, CPM. To her delight, Patti discovered that Beth’s approach to prenatal care is holistic. She works to avoid problems before they develop. She is a stickler for good nutrition and is familiar with the use of herbs which sometimes reduce the need for drugs.

During her consultation visit with Beth, Patti learned that Beth is very knowledgeable about pre-eclampsia. In contrast to her doctor’s attitude, Beth maintains that with proper nutrition and a little help from some nutritional herbs it is definitely possible to avoid pre-eclampsia.

Regarding Patti’s history of c-sections, Beth explained that there are risks involved for women who’ve had a history of uterine surgery, but there are also risks involved with repeat Cesareans. Beth believes that the majority of women who have had c-sections can have a successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with the proper help.

Patti believed she had found the answers she needed. She promised Beth that she would follow all of her instructions to avoid getting sick. And she did. Patti took the herbs Beth recommended and stayed on her diet. By the middle of her pregnancy, she was feeling great. This time, Patti developed no pre-eclampsia at all!

The day finally arrived. Patti called Beth because she thought she might be in labor. After the call, Beth and Jessica came to Patti’s home. Only a few minutes after they arrived, Patti said she felt some pressure. To everyone’s surprise, Patti was fully dilated.

Though everything was moving quicker than expected, there was only joy and excitement that Patti’s baby was about to arrive.

After only a few gentle pushes, Patti gave birth to a boy, Finney, who weighed 7lbs. Beth told Patti that she had the kind of birth midwives like to call a “butter birth” (i.e., an easy birth with no complications).

Patti’s decision did change her life. She is now healthier than ever and she is blessed with not just one more baby but two. A couple of years after Finney was born, Patti gave birth to another son, Philip, who was also born at home. By the way, Philip’s birth was also a “butter birth.” But that’s another story.