Dr. Lisa Noto's Birth Stories

Dr. Lisa Noto's Birth Stories

I have to say, I learned so much from my first pregnancy.  When I found out I was pregnant I was ecstatic and of course, scared.  Even though I am a Doctor of Chiropractic, I thought I was taking care of myself but in reality, I was not.  I was working very long hours five days a week with no real breaks (against my husband's wishes).  I was not getting adjusted regularly.  Obviously, exercising was difficult with a rigorous work schedule that as soon as I would get home I would crash into bed.  Eating was always on the go.  However, nutrition supplementation in the form of vitamins and minerals was the only aspect of my pregnancy that I was consistent with. 

I have been very fortunate in my life.  I grew up with all four of my grandparents.  When I was six months pregnant, my grandfather passed away on May 12, 2006.  That was the first real experience of death that I had ever encountered.  The stress in my life continued to build.  By my third trimester, the swelling in my legs became extensive.  I could hardly walk, but of course, I kept on working.  On November 12, 2000, my second grandfather passed away.  You must also understand, my grandfather died in the same hospital where I gave birth in.  The ICU/CCU is on the same floor but opposite wing of the Maternity Ward.  The day after his death, I began to labor on and off for four days.  My husband and I had taken The Bradley Method Classes for twelve weeks.  Because I was working like a mad women, I could hardly focus on the material.  Thank goodness my husband was there because he absorbed all the material.  This was a big mistake for me not learning the important information that The Bradley Method had to offer because when I started laboring I freaked out.  Everything that could go wrong with my labor went wrong.  I feel that I created the C-Section.  My daughter, Daniella, was born on November 16th, 2000 weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21 1/2" in length.  I vowed to my husband that I would never go through this again.  I was committed to having a natural, unmedicated birth for my next child.

On July 31, 2002, my second daughter, Angelina was born. She was a textbook natural, unmedicated birth.  My husband thougt it would be a good idea to take my older daughter, Daniella, to the Bronx Zoo and for me to start walking to naturally induce labor.  That next morning I started feeling crampy around 6:00 am.  The labor at the beginning was very bearable.  The contractions were about 10 to 20 minutes apart, lasting about 30 seconds.  I had the fortunate ability to labor in my parent's pool for about three to four hours.  The water was wonderful.  The contractions were bearable even though they were getting stronger, longer (lasting over 45 seconds)and consistent.  I then took a nap for about an hour.  When I woke up I had eaten a small dinner becuase I was hungry.  Around 10:00 pm we called the midwife and she said to stay home a little longer and to call her back in a little while.  My husband and I went to the hospital around 1:00 am and my daughter was born at 6:02 am.  Angelina weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces and was 21 1/4" in length.  I focused my attention on getting chiropractic adjustments regularly, reviewing The Bradley Method material, doing pre-natal yoga two times a week consistently, eating healthy, taking my whole-food based vitamins, working part-time and really nesting.