Kelley Vandersys Interview

Sondra Jones
sondrajones@mycwi.cc
English 034W
Kelley Vandersys Interview
5 December 2011

9-17-11

Kelley Vandersys (KV) interview

Interview Sondra Jones (SJ)

SJ: How many children do you have?

KV: I have four children.                              

SJ: How many of your children have you had with midwifes?

KV: 3                         

SJ: Did your births take place at home or in another facility such as a hospital or birthing center?

KV: 2 in the hospital

2 in the home             

SJ: Why did you chose to give birth with a midwife as opposed to traditional methods of birthing?

KV: Majority of my exposure to delivering with a midwife was with a girlfriend of mine who was a dula speaking of how our bodies are made to give birth, and how drugs and medical birth “sharing that information” encouraging to deliver with a midwife. Fear of wanting to be in a hospital if something went wrong midwife in hospital was compromise.

SJ: How did your family react to you’re decision to give birth with a midwife?

KV: Hospital- extended family did not know. Mother knew. No negative from extended that new Husband supportive in seeking out. Knew doula desire to be in a midwife

Home-  labored with doula in house with second child. Worst part of labor driving to hospital and examination. Doula only did hospital births. After experience more in tune with body. She wished doula had delivered baby.

SJ: What did your friends think of your decision?

KV: Home- grandma and aunts nervous. No negativity. ‘oh I could never do that’

SJ: How were you first introduced to the art of midwifery?

KV: Doula. Started ordering mothering magazine

SJ: Did you know other people who had giving birth with midwifes prior to your own pregnancy?

KV: Home- 1

SJ: Is there a large midwifery community in your area?

KV: Yes

SJ: How did you find a midwife?

KV: Home- The Doula suggested for the first

Hospital- insurance referral

SJ: Did you have the same midwife for all your children or different ones?

KV: Different midwifes

SJ: What were some differences that you experienced with different midwifes?

KV: Hospital- essentially medical prenatal care and birth empowerment mostly from dual did not feel like I sad say or knowledge of why things were being done

Home- much more personal apps being at home. Much more personal laid on bed not examine table know me as a person table. Informed not all these tests taken. Given info and pros and cons about tests. Risk factors empowered by knowledge wit TVM educated me a lot and were very supportive body’s were designed to give birth and interfere as least as possible. Kids were able to meet midwife. Kids were involved in pregnancy and birth family participation

Karen- realized no tests needed. Less concern. Honesty and openness. Having a faith understanding creation . hormones in depth. Completely involved kids.

SJ: What sort of emotional support did you receive from your midwifes?

KV: “None from midwife in hospital”

Home- no nursing support chasm between midwifes because of spiritual believes patient doing job but still more personal

Karen- stepped into home emotionally in ways she didn’t know she needed. Teams of support for labor post partum labor, lost dad 7 days after birth because of Karen and her treatment allowed me to drive to California 9 days after birth. Was not just a job emotional investment to me and my family. Lasted far beyond 6 week checkup daily checks or assistant daily checks someone at home emotionally and physically lasted till child weaned at 22 months physical and emotional

SJ: Did you midwife offer you spiritual support as well?

KV: Only Karen

SJ: What sort of pre natal advice/ support did your midwifes offer?

KV: Hospital slim to none, nothing

Home- promoted more whole foods, diet, aside from kids coming noting much child included   child cut umbilical cord

Karen- eliminate food allergies, extreme diet with provided recipes food prep and buying food, promote acidophilus, no reflux baby. Talking with children about helping mom and being big siblings, oldest child respocilbiity. Given them a job gave them a role in everything in visits gave children an importance

SJ: During your pregnancy what type of relationship did you develop with your midwife?

KV: Hospital hardy any

TVM verry little

Karen incredibly emotional connection spiritual aspect almost a sisterhood common bond an intimacy

SJ: Were you satisfied with your birth experience?

KV: Hospital- out of control epidural knew nothing as satisfied as knew to be. Out of control

Hospital midwife-  physically in control. Not emotionally. Doula and midwife knew least med intervention.

Home -  yes extremely happy to be home even though I was sick  pushing part was not rushed. Delivery controlled

Karen- very satisfied. Less in control of pushing part end was a rush. Could be getting out of water. Rushed a lot more chaos more going on.

SJ: Would you recommend giving birth with a midwife to other women?

KV: At home absolutely. Encourage in a birthing center

SJ: Did your midwife debrief you

SJ: Hospital No

Home Yes. Good conversation talk through confusion

Karen. Not debriefed as well partially with dad dying. Some but not as much as would have liked. Circumstance .