I first met Sara and Phil in my Spinning Babies Parent class. Their first child was born by c-section because she was in the footling breech position, and they were very motivated to assemble tools to encourage their second baby to orient herself head down! After learning so much, they decided a doula would be a worthy investment as well. And I was blessed when they approached me, and I was able to take them as clients! That’s a little backstory which I think helps add depth to the way labor happened.

Sara’s providers were supportive of her desire for a VBAC as long as her cervix was showing signs of readiness and as long as she didn’t go too late in her pregnancy. A repeat c-section was scheduled for April 10, three days past her due date, in the event her cervix was not favorable for induction. Thankfully, everything lined up and Sara’s cervix made gradual changes in the weeks leading up, dilating to 2 cm at 38 weeks, and then to 3 cm the next week. Sara’s doctor removed the c-section from the schedule and changed it to an induction. This was a victory! Although Sara hoped not to need the induction at all.

Then a week before her induction date, Sara felt the first regular contractions that were different than the random scattered contractions of the previous weeks. She reached out by text to alert me to the fact that she was having some “cramping feelings a few times an hour.” They started overnight but were persisting into the morning, although mild and unpredictable. The plan was to minimize and ignore, while also hydrating, eating, resting and generally taking care of herself. If there were movements toward active labor I wanted her to let me know.

Sara went about her day as planned: she attended a routine chiropractor appointment, ate a light lunch, and sent me a text just past 1:00 pm that gave the news of more regular contractions. Sara clocked them at every 6-8 minutes and lasting 30-40 seconds. They were still mild, although constant at that interval for an hour, so she was back to the self-care and ignoring, minimizing, resting routine until they were 5 minutes apart and lasting longer than a minute.

Then suddenly, Sara’s labor took an active turn. An hour later, Phil (not Sara!) texted to tell me the contractions were every 2-3 minutes and lasting about 40 seconds. I reminded them to do the Spinning Babies Three Balances to make sure baby’s position was good, and to encourage the contractions to get even longer and stronger.

By 3:30pm, after doing some Spinning Babies things, Sara’s contractions were lasting a minute and happening every 3 minutes! Sara was ready to go to the hospital. After planning to wait for an update after they arrived, I thought it best to meet them there. And I’m so glad I did!

I got to Sara’s room a few minutes after she did. And when I arrived, I was told she was 9 cm! Sara was laying on her back in the bed, looking awkward and uncomfortable as her nurse admitted her and checked on baby’s fetal heart rate. The monitor was part of Sara’s labor since she was hoping for a VBAC, but she wouldn’t need it long.

Sara had hoped to have a vaginal birth without pain medications but wasn’t sure if it would happen. It can also be suggested by providers to get an epidural just in case the birth ends up going to the OR for a repeat c-section as a way to make sure the mom is more prepped for that. Sara arrived at the hospital at the PERFECT time to avoid pain medications and to labor most of the time in the comfort of her own home with a beautiful ocean view.

She was clearly uncomfortable in that position and having a hard time staying calm with her intense contractions. I recommended she roll over to her hands and knees and reminded her to focus on deep breaths to center her. And once she turned over, her sister got busy doing the Spinning Babies jiggle to her pelvis which happened to be the most effective tool at home the last hour or two!

Sara’s midwife was in the room, perched at the foot of the bed. The room began to fill with people since birth was clearly imminent. At 4:40 pm Sara’s water broke with a splash off the side of the bed onto the floor, nearly missing my shoes! And with the next contraction she lurched in the unmistakable way that indicated it was time to push. And Sara pushed so well. She lay on her side to push and it was only a few contractions before we could see her baby’s head crowning. And at 4:57 pm, Maia June was born to the wonderment of everyone but especially her mom, dad and aunt. “It just went so fast!” was Phil’s mantra over and over as he stared at his newborn baby with a smile plastered across his face.

Sara’s sister was in town to help care for her first child, and just happened to be in the room for the birth. She continued her labor support that had begun at home, and watched in awe as her sister gave birth. She cried and gushed to Sara about how strong and amazing she was and then she was gone at 5:00 to go pick up big sister! Maia couldn’t have timed her entrance more perfectly.

Sara soaked in the immediate skin to skin time with baby Maia and she was given the additional good news that she didn’t tear. Sara listened carefully when I reminded her to blow and not push hard at the end and she will reap the benefits of that control and patience with an easier recovery.

Maia June weighed 6 lb. 14 oz. and was 19.5 in. long at birth. Sara and Phil explained to me that Maia was given the middle name June because it was derived from Juno the Roman goddess and protector of childbirth and family. Looking back on how Maia’s birth unfolded, it seemed the perfect way to honor just how amazing everything was.

I am so proud of Sara. You might think it’s because she showed up 9 cm and had an unmedicated VBAC as she had hoped. And yes, I am proud of her for that. But I am even more proud of her for trusting her body but also for being open and flexible should her birth shift to an induction or even a repeat c-section. I am proud of how she felt her way through labor, ignoring the early parts and coping mightily at home when things took a short and intense turn to active. I am proud of her for staying focused after arriving to the hospital. As all the people swirled around her readying the room, she was trained on what my voice and her body were telling her. Sara emerged from this birth empowered and strong and that’s what I hope all of my clients get from their birth experiences.

The Birth of Maia June 4/3/23