Though only a few weeks old, Sophie Lee Turok is already a “home girl” of sorts. The first baby of parents Jennifer Fox and Peter Turok, Sophie was recently born in the Weehawken house that her grandparents bought in 1967, when her dad was only 1 year old.
In addition to Sophie’s parents, her birth was attended by two midwives and their assistant, a doula, and both of her grandmothers.
“I felt very cared for, that was a whole new experience.” – Jennifer Fox
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You had me at ‘hello’
Peter, a 44-year-old filmmaker, and Jennifer, who is 34 and works at Getty Images, were both open to exploring all of the birthing options from the beginning of their pregnancy. Though they had been seeing an ob/gyn for the first four months, after watching videos like “The Business of Being Born” and “Orgasmic Birth,” they decided to also look into home birth.
They began their search on the internet, checking out message boards and watching videos of home births on YouTube. They ultimately found Seventh Moon Midwifery Services, based in Montvale and Montclair.
“We were really struck by the difference in the approach to care,” said Jennifer. After attending the preliminary ‘hello’ visit, the couple knew which path they wanted to take.
“I felt very cared for,” said Jennifer. “That was a whole new experience.”
A different kind of ‘birth’ day
On March 11, Jennifer awoke to early labor pains. While Peter began timing her contractions with an iPod touch (which he called a “very cool contraction timer gizmo”), they prepared for a regularly scheduled appointment with the midwives.
After the examination, the midwives determined that the onset of “firm labor” could take anywhere from one to three days. They encouraged her to relax and wait.
So they did – the couple had breakfast, chatting with the diner waitresses who didn’t realize Jennifer was in early labor until they asked how far along she was.
Jennifer and her mom enjoyed a manicure/pedicure duo and when the ladies at the salon found out, Jennifer got an extra 10 minutes of her foot massage.
The only special precaution taken during the day was Peter lining the car in case her water broke while they were out.
When they got home, the couple took a long walk along Boulevard East, made dinner with the family, and sat down to watch “American Idol.”
At 10:30 p.m. Jennifer went upstairs to sleep, but after an hour of rest she was headed back downstairs – it was time.
It’s time
After more than six hours of labor, Sophie was welcomed into the world as dawn approached. Her dad was ready to “make the call” that it was a girl.
“Afterwards it was amazing because everyone was there,” said Jennifer. The midwives helped her shower then laundered towels while her mother brewed some tea. Jennifer set up a cozy camp in her own bed while the new daddy took a nap with the baby.
“I hadn’t anticipated that,” said Jennifer. “It was amazing to be in my own home, in my own bed.”
Peter agreed that the midwives’ support was beneficial for him too – the only male in a houseful of women.
Sharing the experience
While both of their families were very supportive of their home birth decision, the couple said that strangers and acquaintances were shocked. Jennifer said the general response was either “cool” or “you’re crazy.”
“I wish that more women knew there are choices,” she said.
According to the State of New Jersey health statistics, nearly all births in New Jersey occur in hospitals. In 1994, only 133 births occurred in freestanding birth centers, and by 2003, all birth centers in New Jersey had closed and home births decreased by nearly one-quarter.
However, with a renaissance for all things natural, home births have been resurging across the country.
In Weehawken, another couple had a home birth just a few months ago (see www.hudsonreporter.com for that earlier story).
While Jennifer and Peter acknowledged that the financial and living space circumstances may be different for everyone, they hope their experience will be an inspiration for others to seek out all of the birthing options available.
“If you believe in the miracle of life,” said Peter. “This is where it is.”
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.