Birth Center Birth after Miscarriage and Navigating Grief and Joy after Sudden Loss of Parent 

A brief trigger warning: Maggie’s birth story also deals with death. 

After having a miscarriage in September 2022, Maggie and Peter knew for certain they wanted to have a baby. After being quarantined with Covid in a hotel in Brooklyn during a work trip for 10 days in October 2022 – Peter joined Maggie and they ended up getting pregnant.

During the pregnancy Maggie started the journey as a person deeply scared of giving birth and wanting a medicated hospital birth to becoming curious and open to other ideas. After visiting a new birth center in South Pasadena and meeting the OB and the midwife Maggie knew this was the team and place she wanted to give birth, despite the fact that it would be an unmedicated birth. 

After moving into a new house in the middle of the summer, at a LONG 40 + 5 days Maggie’s water broke. They labored at home for 13 hours and arrived at the birth center and Maggie was 7 cm dilated. Thanks to the warm waters of the tub, the incredible team at Moxie, some laughing gas, a GREAT playlist and the love of Peter – Maya  roared into the world at 1:18 am.  

By 5:00 am they were back in bed at their house. They had a beautiful day as a family of three until about 8pm when Maggie’s mom came in from Connecticut to help them. At 6:00 am the following day Maggie got the tragic news that her father had suddenly passed away. Becoming a mother while losing a beloved parent was the hardest experience of Maggie’s life, but the gift of being present and care-taking the baby helped her navigate the grief slowly and gracefully.   

Maggie Davis Bio

After 12 years living in Los Angeles without a child, Maggie and her husband Peter decided they wanted to try having a baby. They now have their 8 month old daughter Maya, and 8 (ish) year old dog Hopper. Maggie loves all things comedy and entertainment and works her dream job in late-night television. Maggie loves exploring her city, traveling, reading, astrology and spending time with the people she loves. Having a baby was the best decision she ever made, and has made her fall in love with all things birth.  You can connect with Maggie via email  Mardavis124@gmail.com or DM me at @MarvinMarge on Instagram. She would love to hear from anyone who wants to talk about birth or grief.

Resources

Baby Tula

This episode is sponsored by Baby Tula. Baby Tula creates unique and expressive carriers that help parents keep doing what they love while connecting with their little ones. Baby carriers are so much more than a parenting tool! When you wear your baby, you support the emotional, social, and physical well-being of your baby as well as your own! With a variety of unique prints, small batch and handwoven fabrics, inclusive sizing, and carriers for older babies too, you can find a carrier that’s distinctly you! You can use the code BIRTHHOUR at BabyTula.com and BabyTula.Co.UK.