Nurse Midwives - Patient Experience

Mom's experience (Tonya Toche-Howard)
When we learned we were pregnant, there were several important decisions to make. Who would deliver our baby? What type of prenatal care did I want?  How much say did I want in the whole process?  How much would my husband be involved? 

I am a person who likes to call the shots, but I also want someone to help guide me in the right direction. A friend told me about the team of midwives at OU Physicians. I made my first appointment with Ann Stewart, CNM.  She had many years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse before going into midwifery. 

In the beginning, my husband and I had the same questions that most others have. What if something goes wrong? What if I need special interventions? After our first visit, Ann had answered every question and began to prepare us for our journey.  We were extremely happy with her. She made me feel comfortable. Over the next six months we had several visits and were very prepared for the delivery experience. Ann assured us that if at any time there were extreme complications, she would consult with or involve an obstetrician from her team. 

On February 24, 2005, the big day came, and we were ready. I was going to make every effort to have a completely natural delivery: no IVs and only intermittent monitoring. I didn’t want to be lying in bed the whole time and connected to wires and tubing unless it was absolutely necessary.  On the way to the hospital I just HAD to stop at Sonic for a Route 44 Ocean Water and cheddar peppers. Ann met us at the hospital, and was calm and reassuring. Just the site of her put us at ease. We had built a trusting relationship, and she had become like family.

I was already dilated to 6cm when we arrived at the hospital. Ann broke my water and within 20 to 30 minutes, the labor pains became a bit stronger. I used the birthing ball, walked, rocked and tried various positions - all very helpful and wonderful techniques that Ann taught us. The lights were low, and the radio played our choice of music. It was a very warm and supportive environment.

After relaxing in the Jacuzzi for about an hour, I was already 10cm. Ann told me to push whenever I was ready. I couldn’t believe that at anytime, I could meet the little miracle I had waited for so long. Once we started, it was great. I listened to the instructions that Ann gave me and had the support of my husband, mother and a girlfriend. Twenty minutes later, I had God’s greatest gift lying on my chest. The cry of my first born son was like a thousand angels singing to me. It was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had, and I will always have Ann Stewart, my midwife, to thank for making it so wonderful.