When I discovered that I was pregnant with our second child, excitement quickly turned into anxiety. Nearly six years had passed since we had our first child — but with a tumultuous pregnancy and postpartum period, I was certain that I wanted a completely different experience this time around. For starters, I wanted to be fully supported and heard.
During my first pregnancy, I switched from an OB-GYN to a rotating hospital midwifery team in my third trimester. Both my husband and I were unexpectedly laid off and lost our health insurance. I never really had the chance to interact with my providers on a personal level, and I felt like nothing more than a number.
This time, I wanted a vaginal home birth after cesarean (HBAC). I craved an environment of learning, and one where my young daughter could share in the experience as well. I’d be limited in who I could have in the delivery room at a hospital — and with no additional child care support, birthing at home was the best option for me.
One of my biggest requests included having a microaggression-free experience. I dealt with an unhealthy and unnecessary amount of fatphobia throughout my first pregnancy. When questioning why I suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, severe vomiting and nausea during pregnancy, I’ll never forget being falsely accused of “drinking too much soda and eating donuts.
” According to my doctor, the reason I was excessively puking every day was simply because I was fat. What I craved most of .