TAKE CARE ALL YOUR LIFE
Welcome,
William Miguel
Alexandra Hidalgo and Nathaniel Bowler planned on natural childbirth, assisted by a midwife
and a doula. With their baby facing up toward his mother’s belly and her cervix unable to fully
dilate, however, they chose another option to bring their healthy son into the world.
Alexandra Hidalgo and Nathaniel Bowler, who met as
undergraduates, married 11 years ago and came to West
Lafayette for Hidalgo’s doctoral studies in Rhetoric and
Composition. He works for Follett Bookstores and is a
writer; besides an academic, Hidalgo is also a documentary
filmmaker.
After a decade together, the couple decided they were ready
to become parents. They studied hypnobirthing and created
their birth plan, which included a midwife and a doula.
CHOSE MIDWIFE, DOULA
“I always wanted a midwife because I felt it was important
to have someone who would share information and really
listen, someone who would answer my questions,” Hidalgo
says. “But I didn’t want to have the baby at home—my
dad’s a doctor, and I’ve always had good experiences at
hospitals.”
Two of her colleagues recommended Sharon Smith, an
IU Health Arnett certified nurse midwife. “We have a little
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DEFINING MOMENTS
Sharon fan club in the Rhetoric department at Purdue,”
Hidalgo says. She asked Emma Bertolaet to be her doula.
All the grandparents came for the birth—Hidalgo’s parents,
Antonieta and José Cardier, from Venezuela, and, in spirit,
her father, Miguel Hidalgo, who died when she was six.
Nathaniel’s parents, Jean and Mike Bowler, came from
Akron, Ohio.
45 HOURS OF LABOR
Mild labor began late on November 4, 2011. After a day
and a half, the contractions intensified, and it was clear that
the baby was coming. At 4 am on November 6, the family
arrived at IU Health Arnett Hospital.
“They led us to the beautiful and spacious birthing suite,
where the tub was waiting,” Hidalgo says. “The suite had
hardwood floors, large windows and sofas for the family to
sit on. I was very happy and excited to be there.”
But the baby took his time. The couple walked the floors.
Eventually, Hidalgo got into the water.
OB/GYN
“I started to push and push, but nothing seemed to be
happening,” she recalls. Throughout the labor, she had
the support of her midwife, doula, husband, parents and
in-laws. Her father’s voice was especially reassuring, telling
everyone that the baby had a strong heartbeat.
Eventually Smith explained that the baby was facing
forward and that Hidalgo’s cervix could not fully dilate. Their
many attempts to get the baby to change position did not
work.
“When I have a patient in labor and start to see signs
of things not progressing well, I will typically go to the
obstetrician on call and go over the patient’s history and
labor course,” Smith says. “Then I keep the obstetrician
updated. Sometimes things progress, and we don’t need the
obstetrician. At the point that I have exhausted everything I
can try with the patient, I have the obstetrician come in and
evaluate the patient.”
That’s what she did with Hidalgo, consulting with Dr. Howard
Schafer, an IU Health Arnett obstetrician. When the birth
did not progress, Smith brought him in. After consideration,
Hidalgo opted for a C-section.
friendly and nice. He has a strong reputation, so I felt happy
to be with him. And he was very competent.”
“Our goal is to have a healthy mother and baby, trying to
respect the couple’s goals and wishes as much as the
situation will allow,” Schafer says.
Some 45 hours after labor began, William Miguel was born
at 8:43 pm on November 6, 2011.
“I wouldn’t have a birth story I’d be happy
with if I hadn’t had a midwife. We did
everything, and then we had to get the
baby out. I gave it my all. I fought with
everything I had. I’m very happy with my
birth in spite of the fact that I ended up
having a Cesarean.”
- Alexandra Hidalgo, Mother/Patient
“I was glad to have Sharon and my husband by my side
throughout the whole procedure,” Hidalgo recalls.
When the decision is a C-section, which “overall is quite a
low rate,” Smith says, “I go with the patient to the operating
room and follow her through to the recovery room. During
the C-section, I am there to support the patient and her
partner, trying to keep them informed. Knowing I have this
kind of support from the obstetricians is one of the great
things about my practice. I feel like I can truly offer women
safe care. If a higher level of care is needed, it is always
available, and there is a smooth transition.”
That’s by design, Schafer says. “When a C-section becomes
necessary, the midwife is still involved every step along the
way—as we discuss the problem, risks and expectations,
and during the actual delivery. We feel this fosters trust
and helps relieve anxiety. Following the C-section, my only
involvement is to make sure there are no complications
from the procedure. Otherwise, the nurse midwife continues
her plan of action.”
By the time Hidalgo met Dr. Schafer, “I had been in labor
for two days,” she says. “I was exhausted. But he was very
HIDALGO HAPPY WITH BIRTH STORY
“It’s been more amazing than I ever could have imagined,”
Hidalgo says of having William. “One of the birthing books I
read said you have to have a birth story you can own.
Whatever happens, you have to be happy with your birth
story. I took the option for the most natural birth I could
have given the circumstances. I wouldn’t have a birth story
I’d be happy with if I hadn’t had a midwife.
DEFINING MOMENTS
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OB/GYN
“We did everything we could, and then we had to get the baby out.
I gave it my all. I fought with everything I had,” she says. “I’m very
happy with my birth in spite of the fact that I ended up having a
Cesarean.”
One worry remained, however.
Hidalgo had read that it could be difficult to get a Cesarean-born
baby to breastfeed. She was concerned, but not for long. “He latched
on immediately, with no delay.”
At six months old, “He’s the easiest baby and a great nurser. Always
sweet and happy,” Hidalgo says. “He has been from the beginning.
He’s delightful. He loves the world.”
‘You,’
A BIRTH STORY TO HER BABY
Excerpts from William Miguel’s Baby Book by Alexandra Hidalgo, his mother
Your dad was with me through all the contractions,
caressing my back and neck, supporting me physically,
talking me through them.
Your Grandma Antonieta would come over sometimes
and also help me with her hands and her voice. Both
their touches were vital, Grandma Antonieta’s because it
reminded me of my childhood and your dad’s because it’s
my life now.
Your dad says that the first words I said to you were, “Hola,
papito. Hola, mi rey.” I don’t remember this, but it is exactly
PRESENTING
‘The McBonerito’
Excerpts from a blog by Nathaniel Bowler, about the birth of
his son, William Miguel, nicknamed the McBonerito
There is no surge of euphoria comparable to seeing a head
emerge from the womb, cough up some goo and unleash
that first phlegmatic howl. He cried as technicians cleaned
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DEFINING MOMENTS
what I would say. You were so close that I could only see a
fraction of your face—an eye, your nose, your lips. You had
finally joined us after months and months of dreaming of
you.
For the first couple weeks of your life we did what they call
skin-to-skin. I would nurse you in your diaper and open my
robe so you could be against my skin as I held you. That is
the best way to keep babies warm, but it also helps with
bonding, and it’s all together wonderful because you have
the softest skin in the whole world. Running my hand down
your back is the loveliest of feelings.
him up, but he calmed when I said his name. Perhaps he
knew my voice from those daily, post-dinner conversations
we had.
The official baby statistics: 8 lb., 4 oz., 21 inches, born 8:43
pm, 11/6/11.
William Miguel is one week old today. To this blinded
parent, he is, of course, handsome, brilliant and defect-free.