Anyone in NYC birth with Kristen Leonard?

[hapachick]

Hi everyone! I'm due in early April and am currently having initial consults with various midwives in the area. So far, I really like Kristen Leonard -- had a good vibe about her on the phone which carried through during our meeting. Can anyone give me details about what she is like during a delivery? Hands-on? Hands-off? Earth-mothery or medical?

The other midwives I've seen or are seeing are Cara M., Miriam S., Martine & Karen, and Joan B. They all seem to be well-recommended and have years of experience, so the decision seems to be more a stylistic one in the end.

This will be my 3rd natural delivery: the first was at St. Lukes Birthing Center, the 2nd in the cab on the way to the BC. I swore to my husband that I would never set foot in a cab again while in labor, so I guess it's a HB for us!

If you'd prefer to email me off-list, that would be fine, you can mail me at katherine AT hapachick DOT com.

Thank you!

Katherine

[GoGoGirl]

You might want to post in the NY section of Finding Your Tribe. I know mamas on MDC who have birthed with her, but they might not find your post here!

I birthed with Cara, and would be happy to tell you more about working with her if you're interested.

[hapachick]

Thanks GoGoGirl! I'll do that.

K

[MommyMad]

I will be birthing with Kristen in a few weeks. So far Kristen has been MARVELOUS!!! I cannot have picked a better midwife. If you have specific questions, please let me know.

[hapachick]

Thanks MommyMad! I guess what I want to know is how comfortable you felt with her throughout the process, whether there were any difficulties and if so how she handled them.... I think I'm trying to get a sense of her style and whether we would jibe.

Katherine

[MommyMad]

I felt really comfortable with Kristen from the get-go. As a matter of fact I didn't interview anyone else. I knew how I felt with a previous midwife I was under care for a hospital birth, and knew that what I felt with Kristen was special.

Kristen is what I was looking for because she is compassionate, but knowledgeable at the same time. She is hands off, but still provides the care that is warranted. She will send you for your 20 week ultrasound and any others that are needed. Additionally, now that she has privileges at Saint Vincent's, that's another plus in her favor.

I cannot comment on how she is or will be at my actual labor, since I haven't traversed that path yet. However, I expect her to be very hands off. She commented that she will not tell me when to push, but rather allow my body to dictate when I need to push. I have also heard from someone that did birth with her, that when things got rough during labor, she provided the strength she needed to get through it.

With Kristen, I feel I can cry, laugh and be serious when I need to be. I also know that she is very knowledgeable and has the experience necessary since she has delivered a lot of babies.

I may be babbling a little bit here, but listen to your heart. If you feel she is the right person for you, you will know.

Best of luck deciding on a midwife.

btw, are you in the City or one of the boroughs? I'm in Queens.

[atenea]

I am in Queens and had a homebirth with Kristen in August. I really love her and I am actually kinda sad that I won't be seeing her again (at least til the next one). What I liked most about how she was during my labor is that she was extremely hands off until I needed more from her. She listened to my body (fast and furious contractions for a long time leading to rectal pressure) and I started bearing down on my own. However, I was terrified of actually pushing, and I didn't really know it until I was dilated to anterior lip (when I had my first vaginal exam, at my request). Because of this fear, I stayed at this dilation for many, many (many, many, many, many) hours, with the contractions slowing down. It wasn't until I started getting exhausted that Kristen started to intervene, with nipple stimulation and cohosh. She was very resourceful, remembering that I had been taking primrose oil, got that to put directly on my cervix, as she pushed it out of the way. She knew what position I needed to be in to push my baby out (squatting, my least favorite position ever), and really encouraged me to keep at it. She really protected my perineum, and I ended up with the tiniest tear that required only 2 stitches.
I have heard from other women who have birthed with Kristen that she can be very hands off. A friend of a friend worked with Kristen with her 2nd baby, and it sounded like Kristen didn't even need to touch her until after the baby was born, just to check for tears!.
Basically, although Kristen was alot more hands on during my birth than I thought she would be, it was exactly what I needed. Her knowledge, empathy, and encouragement went a really long way.

[MommyMad]

Originally Posted by atenea

I am in Queens and had a homebirth with Kristen in August. I really love her and I am actually kinda sad that I won't be seeing her again (at least til the next one). What I liked most about how she was during my labor is that she was extremely hands off until I needed more from her. She listened to my body (fast and furious contractions for a long time leading to rectal pressure) and I started bearing down on my own. However, I was terrified of actually pushing, and I didn't really know it until I was dilated to anterior lip (when I had my first vaginal exam, at my request). Because of this fear, I stayed at this dilation for many, many (many, many, many, many) hours, with the contractions slowing down. It wasn't until I started getting exhausted that Kristen started to intervene, with nipple stimulation and cohosh. She was very resourceful, remembering that I had been taking primrose oil, got that to put directly on my cervix, as she pushed it out of the way. She knew what position I needed to be in to push my baby out (squatting, my least favorite position ever), and really encouraged me to keep at it. She really protected my perineum, and I ended up with the tiniest tear that required only 2 stitches.
I have heard from other women who have birthed with Kristen that she can be very hands off. A friend of a friend worked with Kristen with her 2nd baby, and it sounded like Kristen didn't even need to touch her until after the baby was born, just to check for tears!.
Basically, although Kristen was alot more hands on during my birth than I thought she would be, it was exactly what I needed. Her knowledge, empathy, and encouragement went a really long way.

This is very encouraging to hear as I will be birthing with her in the upcoming days/weeks. Thanks!