Rhoda/Agape Birth Services
Congratulations that your curiosity has been piqued on the importance
of childbirth! I wish this taught in schools along with the sex
ed course, but I know this will never happen so on our own, we have
to be savvy. Rhoda is definately savvy. I can tell you right now
that I am so very thankful there are women in this world like Rhoda.
Honesty, compassion, desire, and devotion are what is lacking in
the professional medical field. These characteristics are not lacking
with Agape Birth Services.
I delivered my 6lb 15oz son at home by a water birth. He is my first-born
and I will do the same for my second (which hopefully won't be too
soon!). Prior to pregnancy, I had not been set on a home birth,
but I was definately interested in them. What made them so different?
Why would I hear of so many women who had first had a hospital birth
decide to have a home birth? Plus, I wasn't just interested in a
home birth, I was interested in a water birth. Rhoda with Agape
Birth Services was the only local result that came up when I googled
waterbirths in my Fort Wayne area. I did not know Rhoda prior to
my pregnancy, I found her on Google.
I believe that you know in your heart, when meeting someone, whether
or not they are genuine and true. Maybe it's our intuition, I don't
know for sure but I do know that when I first met with Rhoda my
mind was eased. I knew right away that she cared for me and my baby
without even knowing us. For the nine or ten months I met with her,
I could feel her excitement. She cared about my health and nutrition,
my worries and stressors, my husband and my faith. She taught my
husband how important his role really is and how he is a key part
in my delivery.
My Birth Experience
My son decided to come two weeks early so we weren't quite ready.
My husband had to get the tub ready and filled and of course we
ran out of hot water so he had to boil some while trying to time
my contractions! It was pretty funny. He ran up and down the stairs
for at least two hours filling the tub pot by boiling pot (we run
out of hot water all the time). So my water had broke in the middle
of the night and I was in early labor most of the day, towards the
evening the contractions began to increase in intensity. By 9:00p
or so Rhoda and her midwife partner arrived. I believe it was around
11:00p that I finally got into the pool and it wasn't until about
3:00a that Luke made his big debut. Oh man I was so glad when it
was over! Whew! I won't lie, it was definately tough, but there
is no other way I will deliver my next child and I wouldn't change
this experience for anything.
In the weeks after my delivery Rhoda came by once a week to check
on the both of us. I had a horrible time with breastfeeding and
she did everything she could to help us out. She gave me numbers
and referred me to various people and places. She just did a wonderful
job. I can definately say that I'm looking forward to working with
her again but hopefully it's just one more time!