Denise's Birth Experience at Hospital Nuevo Belén

Denise is from the Phillipines originally and she gave birth twice (in 2016 and 2018) at Hospital Nuevo Belen with the One to One team and Dra. Suarez.

When asked about her reasons for choosing this team she said, "Even before I was pregnant, I knew I wanted a water birth. The Unidad Parto Natural was the only place I found in Madrid where I knew I would be able to give birth in the pool.

As I learned more about giving birth, the more convinced I was that the Unidad Parto Natural and the Equipo One-to-One were my best option. I wanted a birth where my baby and I were in charge and I didn't have to worry about the team attending me not being aligned with what I wanted. I wanted to be able to trust fully in the team and not have to second guess their judgement."

Denise's Story:

My first birth happened "fast" in the sense that my daughter came out about 2 and a half hours after we arrived at the hospital - but I did arrive almost 7 centimeters dilated! When I first felt the contractions, the midwife told me to go about my day normally, so I did.

I went to my sister-in-law's birthday barbecue and leaned into the contractions between courses! Unfortunately, I didn't make it until dessert and asked my husband to bring me home earlier. When we got home, I used the tools I learned from the Hypnobirthing course to help me manage my pain.

Since my contractions weren't getting closer together, the midwife suggested I stay home as long as I could. It got to the point where I told my husband, "If we don't go to the hospital now, we're never going!", so we did.

At the hospital, there are certain moments that stand out to me:

1. Entering the birth pool - I felt my whole body relax as soon as I touched the water.

2. Seeing my water burst in the water

3. Feeling my daughter's head in my vagina

4. The midwife putting my daughter in my arms and me thinking "OMG. What do I do now?!"

When it came time for the second birth, I was much more relaxed. Since my first birth had been "quick and easy", I thought the second one would be the same. I first started feeling contractions at around 3 am and decided to eat something. I remember my sleepy husband entering our dining area, seeing me eating shepherd's pie in the middle of the night and asking, "Are you ok?" The midwife suggested I go to the hospital earlier since the last time I arrived quite dilated.

This time however I felt like I was in the hospital waiting for my son to come for ages.

Here's what stand out for me in this birth:

1. Saying over and over again "He's not coming out. He's taking forever."

2. The midwife putting lavender essential oil on the pillow I was using in the birth pool

3. My husband feeding me dark chocolate and me saying I didn't want some - A rare occasion!

4. The relief of feeling my son in my arms"

Did you feel supported in your chosen method of feeding your baby?

Yes! I felt very supported in my decision to breastfeed both my babies. The midwife at birth as well as the midwives at my local health center were very helpful in answering my doubts. I also had a group of moms who had babies the same age to share experiences with which really made me feel like part of a tribe.

Did you have a doula? If yes, how was the experience? If no, how do you think having a doula may have changed your experience?

I didn't have a doula because I felt that I had enough support with my husband and the midwife. If I had a doula, I think my husband would have been able to be even more present (there were moments he had to leave to take care of paperwork or he was on the phone to tell our families what was happening) during the birth because the doula would have supported both of us.

Thanks so much for sharing, Denise!

Denise is a parenting coach here in Madrid. You can find out more about her incredible services here: Denise Suarez Con Cariño

If you'd like to share your birth story in Madrid (hospital or home birth!), please do so here.

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Giving birth in Madrid or a new mom in Madrid? Looking for support on the wild ride called parenthood?

Look no further - book a free discovery call with me (Madison - doula in Madrid) today and let's chat about how together we can work to make your experience a positive one!