Sarah's Birth Story

I lost my mom to a complication resulting from her C-section when my twin sister and I were born. The moment my husband and I discovered that we ourselves were expecting twins (yes, twins having twins) I certainly didn't want to repeat her experience and a home birth is something that I’ve wanted for myself and my own family, but unfortunately, if twins are involved, the traditional midwifery practice is no longer legally supported in California. So my husband and I began the tedious interview process with numerous OB’s, hoping that one of them would support a natural hospital birth. Again we were met with constant disappointment, as most OBs treated and made me feel like my pregnancy was a disease that needed management instead of the natural process that it was.  I knew it was going to be a fight to the finish for a natural birth experience at the hospital.
 
That’s where Dr. Fischbein comes in. It wasn’t until my 3rd trimester that we stumbled upon him, and we both knew from our initial consultation that he was the perfect OB for us!!! No other doctor believed that I could possibly go full term (OB’s laughed at such a prospect), if even beyond 36 weeks, and they’d certainly never let me go so long without intervention. But Dr. Fischbein trusted the natural birth process, particularly labor itself, and waited patiently until it started on its own. And it did, 3 long days after my due date!!  I just wish I had found him earlier, but then again I now know that I wouldn't have appreciated him and his wonderful midwifery team nearly so much if I did!  The staff and atmosphere of the place was calming and Dr. Fischbein spent so much time with us at each appointment, talking in his office, listening, and respecting our decisions concerning labor. 
 
Labor itself was an amazing experience. I mean, it’s one of the pinnacles of the human existence. Dr. Fischbein and his team showed up in a timely, respectful manner, yet I hardly knew they were present in our home. He left me alone to labor (as a mother should, without unnecessary intervention) except to check the heart beats once in a while. After 12 hours of active labor I gave birth to Eric, our first twin, who was 7.8 lbs. and then a short 48 minutes later, Ira, our second twin, was born at 6.11 lbs. I appreciated how Dr. Fischbein let our second baby arrive on his own timing.  And even though I hemorrhaged, Dr. Fischbein took care of it professionally and gracefully. He had everything that I could possibly need on hand.  I was able to get the birth experience that I wanted, it really was a beautiful and joyful day, which I'll have and share for the rest of my life, but only because Dr. Fischbein made it happen. And it cost us less than a hospital birth since our insurance accepted the in-network exception for a home birth. Yes, the insurance paid for it and it was CHEAPER than the bills we would have received from the hospital.

I am so thankful for the mutual trust we had for each other. My twin sons were born naturally – at home, in Mommy and Daddy’s bed.  To be able to do so helped give me the confidence on becoming a great mother.

-Sarah H.