An Inside Look…
Featuring Stories of PFF REcipients and PFF Sustainers
Shaly Borgen
2022 PFF RECIPIENT
Please state your name & when you gave birth at PFMC
I’m Shaly Borgen and I gave birth at Pacifica on November 14, 2022
How did you find out about the PFF program? What drew you to apply?
I found Pacifica Family Maternity Center when I was searching for a birth center that would work with my Medi-Cal insurance. Unfortunately, since I had a managed care plan with Kaiser, I wasn’t able to use insurance to cover my care. By then I already knew Pacifica was the right fit for my pregnancy and birth, so I applied for the family fund in hopes that I would be able to make it work on a limited budget. Between the family fund and a fundraiser with friends and family we were able to have almost the entirety of our care covered. It was a beautiful gift to have the birth and care team I wanted without going into debt.
Was this your first birth or your first birth at a birth center? Why is midwifery care important to you and your family?
This was my first birth and I cannot imagine giving birth in a hospital after this experience. I was initially drawn to seek out a birth center because I have an autoimmune disorder and giving birth in a hospital during a pandemic felt terrifying. Once my relationship with Pacifica began, I realized that there were so many reasons beyond that to choose midwifery care and a birth center birth. For one, the amount of time the midwives spent getting to know me and my pregnancy is incomparable to the care I was receiving through Kaiser, where my OBGYN appointments were always a rushed 15 minutes. Throughout my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum the midwives we worked with most often came to feel like family. They really got to know me, they understood what I wanted going into my birth, and they afforded me agency throughout the entire process to choose what was best for me and my family.
If you could only choose one special or intimate memory from your birth at PFMC, what would it be?
The memory that sticks out to me the most is one that feels both difficult and empowering. I lost a lot of blood after delivering my child. There was a lot going on as my midwives attempted to get the bleeding under control and I tried to breastfeed my child for the first time, as my partner was feeding me cheese and crackers. I was getting increasingly woozy from the blood loss. After several interventions that had not totally slowed the bleeding, Cindy wanted to try something a second time that had been quite painful the first time. I was close to needing a hospital transfer if the bleeding didn’t stop. At that moment, not only did Cindy remain incredibly calm but she reminded me that I had a choice. That they were not going to intervene in any way I did not want and she laid out all the options before me and helped me work through what I wanted. I ended up skipping the painful procedure and trying medication instead, and luckily the bleeding subsided and I didn’t need to be transferred. When I think about my birth I keep coming back to that moment. It was scary and it was difficult, but the fact that I was reminded of my own agency and choice was invaluable. I felt so cared for and empowered to direct my own care. I knew that everyone in the room had my best interest at heart and that they were going to give me the best care they could in collaboration with me. I knew the choice I was making might mean a hospital transfer, but I was so grateful that I got to choose (even better that I was also able to avoid the hospital). The fact that such a high stakes moment was still handled so calmly and with so much care was such a beautiful gift.
Did you experience anything transformative in birthing at PFMC? Either physical, mental, spiritual, etc.
Giving birth was an intensively psychedelic, intense, rewarding, and affirming experience. I l was really able to trust my intuition about what I needed throughout my labor and birth process. I felt very supported in following that intuition by the midwives, who gave their advice gently and supported me in making the choices that felt right to me. I was able to really trust myself in a way that is not always possible, as an anxiety-ridden, over thinker. But once I was in labor I knew what I needed, and that felt transformative.
What is your send off or advice to anyone interested in midwifery care?
I cannot recommend midwifery care enough. Especially at Pacifica, all of my care was so thorough and evidence based. They spent much more time getting to know me than a traditional OB, and my birth took place somewhere that felt cozy and safe. They also provided so much support postpartum, remaining available by text to answer any pressing questions about my little one. This was so invaluable as a first time mom! Plus, having the midwives come to my home during the first week was incredible. I can’t imagine trying to leave the house that first week with my newborn. From start to finish, I have immense gratitude for my birth experience and the care I received.
Any other thoughts or story?
My experience at Pacifica was so positive that I have been looking into training to be a midwife myself. Truly, you all gave me a gift. Thank you for making midwifery care accessible to low income families like mine, and for all the care and compassion that goes into supporting birthing people at every level of your organization.