Kaitlyn and Brian welcomed their second baby, this time a girl, Eleanor Grace, on August 8. Kaitlyn’s first birth involved a 4thdegree tear and challenging recovery, and she was even told it might be a good plan to consider a c-section for any subsequent births since she had such a significant tear. But Kaitlyn had a strong desire for every chance at a natural birth, so she hired a doula and chose providers who were known for them, and Kaitlyn even had regular appointments with a chiropractor. She and Brian also armed themselves with knowledge and attended both my Spinning Babies Parent class and my refresher class. They had the information and the team. Now all they needed was the baby!

But Kaitlyn had a sneaking suspicion even in the Spinning Babies class as we did belly mapping that her baby was not head down. She thought she felt a head up in her ribs but wasn’t sure. There was still plenty of time for her baby to reposition herself so Kaitlyn did the daily activities and exercises as recommended in class and hoped that time would give her baby all she needed to turn.

Around a month before her due date, Kaitlyn’s midwife confirmed what Kaitlyn has suspected, that her baby was in the breech position. It wasn’t an easy determination since it took two midwives and even an ultrasound to verify. Kaitlyn felt some validation upon learning her baby was breech since she had suspected a head in her ribs rather than a bottom. But ultimately if her baby didn’t flip the plan would be to have a scheduled c-section. This was not what Kaitlyn expected but she also knew there was some time yet.

She did not feel at peace with doing an ECV but rather preferred to encourage baby to move by using her own body. And if her baby remained in the breech position, she would follow her lead and schedule the c-section. In the interim she knew she had tools from the Spinning Babies class as well as her chiropractic visits, but she was feeling tired and uncomfortable, and knew the importance of emotionally processing the likely change in her birth plan. And there was the other issue of tending to their son who was in the throes of potty training.

Another appointment the following weeks with an ultrasound confirmed baby was frank breech on her right side and Kaitlyn’s anterior placenta was taking up the left side. Her doctor wasn’t overly optimistic about the ECV, as Kaitlyn suspected after researching it, so they came to the safe conclusion that baby had made the choice for them. She would be born by c-section.

Kaitlyn maintained some hope that baby may still turn, but she also embraced the positives of the scheduled c-section. She could let go of any worries of who would watch big brother and her husband would be readily available and she wouldn’t have to find a way to get ahold of him on the ship as with spontaneous labor. I was so proud of her for letting go of the initial vision she had for her birth and instead embracing the new path that unfolded before her. There was still a decision made by both her and her baby. It was just not the one she thought she would choose, but it ultimately felt like the right one for this baby and this birth.

The spirit in the room of the c-section was upbeat. Everyone arrived one by one and introduced themselves as part of the surgical team. Kaitlyn had nervous excitement and Brian was so faithful in his love and support for her. There were many smiles and even laughs that morning and the idea of a baby in her arms in a very short time was still hard to fathom. As everyone was geared up and made final preparations, the confirmation of a pleasant surprise of allowing both Brian and me in the OR was just icing on the birthday cake, so to speak.

We both sat by Kaitlyn and Brian held her hand. Country music was playing the whole time. We told Kaitlyn what we saw, and as soon as her baby was out and assessed, Brian went right to her side while I remained with Kaitlyn. Daddy’s little girl, aka Eleanor, was adorable and with both legs straight up towards her head she was very obviously a breech baby. While her gender was a surprise, her big brother was sure from the beginning that she was a girl, insisting he was getting a “little sissy” from the first moment he knew she was in his mom’s belly. And the discovery at birth made it even more emotional for Kaitlyn and Brian since she was named after Kaitlyn’s grandma.

Eleanor squeezed her daddy’s finger HARD and made sure everyone in the room knew her feelings on the matter of being born. She was skin to skin with her mom at just over 5 minutes old, and she even very nearly latched in the OR. She was born at 8:16 am and weighed 8 lb. 6 oz. And was declared absolutely perfect by everyone present. And she had some seriously long, dark hair!

Breech legs!

When all was said and done, the family returned to the room together for recovery. It was family-centered, and Eleanor latched at 45 minutes old for a long while as her mom and dad looked on. Kaitlyn was feeling good in the immediate postpartum, and when I saw her at her postpartum visit weeks later, she told me she was actually healing better than she had been after her first birth.

Eleanor rested on her mom’s breast as she listened to the same heartbeat that lulled her to sleep in the womb. She was home. After traveling such a crazy and winding road, it’s nice to know that the destination is the same. I am so proud of this family and the way they handled the changes in their birth. Changes they handled with grace, dignity, courage, and clarity. It’s a wise and wonderful start to parenthood. And their big boy at home is totally smitten with his baby sister. He is quite simply glad she is HERE. And so are Kaitlyn and Brian.

Summer and David welcomed their second baby, this time a boy, on March 29. Summer’s first baby was very content to remain in the breech position. It didn’t matter what her mama did, she was resolute in staying head up. Summer went through all the emotions that come when a birth doesn’t go as you envisioned, and she met her baby girl in a scheduled c-section.

This time she was once again committed to giving birth vaginally if possible. She chose the same providers knowing their reputation for supporting VBACS (vaginal birth after cesarean). And time ticked on in her pregnancy much more rapidly than it had the first time. (Babies make time go faster!) Summer and David’s first child was still a baby herself and would be 16 months at the time of her brother’s birth. She was toddling and very busy, and Summer found herself busy and, on her feet, chasing her firstborn.

This baby was head down at least. Thank goodness! But this child posed a different set of challenges. He was so content inside that he wasn’t showing any signs of budging. An induction became the likely plan, but only if Summer’s body was showing signs of readiness. Her providers wanted to be sure they could encourage a gentle induction and with her recent c-section they were limited in the cervical ripeners that would be safe for her.

As Summer’s due date came and went, it was clear that her only option for a vaginal birth was an induction. But sadly, her cervix wasn’t showing any signs of getting ready. Closed, thick, and high. These were the words she heard from one appointment to the next. A final NST and ultrasound made it official. Her baby was measuring 8 lb. 13oz. and had his hand by his head. Her providers were not comfortable with an induction. So, they recommended a repeat c-section. (Spoiler alert: remember that ultrasound weight…)

Look at those rolls!

Summer mourned the change in her birth once again. She took the time she needed to process it and then gathered herself in preparation for what was to come. Her recovery would be different simply because she had a toddler roaming about. The need for rest would be even more important this time. The c-section was scheduled for 1:30 pm on March 29, but was soon changed to the first scheduled c-section of the day. Summer surmised it was probably her compassionate OB’s doing, knowing it would give her less time to stress over it.

Along those lines, Summer advocated for what she needed. And that included how I could best serve as her doula. She requested I come after the birth and provide support then as she processed everything. The c-section went well. Music played, courtesy of DJ David. Notable songs were Mama Mia by Abba and Wanna Be by Spice Girls. The music helped with Summer’s anxiety, and so did her deep breaths. At one point she breathed so deeply she lowered her heart rate into the 40s! Sage David was born at 8:21 am, but he needed more respiratory support than expected. Summer got a glimpse of him right after he was born, but soon it was a quick kiss and then he was off to the nursery. That was disheartening as it meant he wouldn’t be with Summer for skin to skin at first. David went with him to the nursery and Summer requested I come at that point.

And one more thing about Sage. He was a big boy! He weighed 11 pounds! Ultrasounds can be off by 20% when used to gauge baby’s size in the final weeks, but this ultrasound was off by 25% in the wrong direction! Suffice it to say, Summer welcomed the big number with relief as it helped her feel even more justified in the repeat c-section. I have seen several 11-pound babies born vaginally unmedicated, but Summer was content to sidestep that experience. And I was happy she got validation for the c-section through that detail of his weight! An 11-pound baby definitely wouldn’t have made labor any easier.

I was by Summer’s side soon after she called. I helped her process things but also aided in her advocacy regarding getting information about Sage and when she could go and see him. She was recovering from the c-section well and was on her way to visit him by wheelchair before I left. And he was back with her later that night.

All in all, this birth experience was less traumatic than the first one. Summer told me there were some bonuses too. She didn’t get extremely nauseous like last time since the anesthesiologist was able to adjust her meds this time to prevent that. Plus her OB was able to give her a scar revision, which she appreciated. And to top it off, her doctor did come see her later that Sage was very high in her pelvis and the VBAC may not have happened even if she had tried. This was just another validation! Summer felt the c-section was the best decision, especially in light (or heavy?) of her son’s weight. I just love when birth can be healing. And this one was.

Haley and her husband, Spencer, were overjoyed to be expecting a baby in the winter. But they were disappointed to know that Spencer would be deployed during much of the pregnancy and the birth. Haley and I go to the same gym and were brought together by one of the coaches there. I am so thankful for her doula matchmaking help because Haley was such a joy to serve.

In the last month or so of the pregnancy, after everything had been proceeding normally, Haley got the shocking news that her baby was in the breech position. This can be very disheartening since in our birth community it means the baby would be born by c-section. I mentioned some things Haley might try to encourage her baby to turn, however, she had already accepted the situation and trusted that her baby knew best what position to be in. Plus, she trusted the recommendation of her doctors and appreciated the benefits of securing support for the day of the birth. Thankfully, Haley’s parents do not live far from her home so she rested in the confidence that they would be available to help in the early weeks and months, as she waited for Spencer’s return.

Haley and her mom arrived at the hospital bright and early, and I joined them a short time later. Haley’s time waiting in triage wasn’t smooth sailing. It took three different tries to get the iv established and the more she thought about the c-section approaching, the more anxious she felt inside. Her nurse was perfectly paired for her since her husband is on the same ship as Haley’s husband. She reassured her and represented a connection to Spencer, in a way.

An ultrasound that morning by Haley’s doctor confirmed that her baby boy was decidedly breech and had not budged. The anesthesiologist came in as did the CRNA, to introduce themselves and explain the spinal process and to answer any questions. The surgical assistant came in as well. But right around the time everyone had stopped by, the thought of the c-section became very real, and Haley had to process some nervous emotions. She steadied her breathing and tried to focus on the fact that she would be meeting her baby very soon, and she was able to calm herself to the point of being ready.

Haley walked back to the OR, flanked by members of her medical team, as her mom sat ready for when they called her in a short time later. Haley recounted her baby’s birth as a very emotional moment. There were tears from both Haley and her mom as they heard Hayden’ Brooks’ first cry! Haley was more happy than sad, but she wished her husband, Spencer, could have been there to experience that moment too. There was also a funny moment when her doctor was pulling him out, “There’s a butt, and there’s poop!” Hayden’s plumbing was working right from the start, and he was very much breech!

Haley recognized some family resemblances in Hayden’s grumpy face, and he had a decent amount of hair too, And he looked very much like his daddy. He was absolutely perfect and weighed in at 8 lb. 4 oz. and was 20.5 in. long.

Hayden was latched for the first time when he was ready, and he is still nursing well, over a month later. Now the countdown has turned from baby’s arrival to counting down to when daddy comes home! Haley and Hayden are very excited for that day! In the meantime, I am so proud of Haley for trusting her gut and her doctor and listening to her body in the early postpartum weeks to insure she heals well and being a downright awesome new mom while her husband is away! She is amazing!

Jessie and Joe are parents, after quite a journey. They had already experienced loss, so it was very clear from the start that Jessie desired a safe journey earthside for her son. And she wouldn’t feel at ease until she had her baby in her arms. She was very determined to prepare by taking my childbirth class and enlisting my support as her doula, knowing how uncertain birth journeys can be.

The pregnancy in and of itself was a journey of trying to trust information given to them and making the best decisions for their baby. An anomaly was shown on ultrasound that had attention drawn to her son’s kidney. Then there was the late term development of gestational diabetes. Ultimately, too many converging risk factors had Jessie’s providers release her care to Maternal Fetal Medicine through EVMS at Sentara Norfolk General, our local high-risk specialists. It made it even more challenging to trust that all was well with the pregnancy and her baby. But the reassurance of receiving the most specialized care for her baby did bring some peace of mind too.

As if that wasn’t enough, in the last month of her pregnancy, Jessie’s baby was measuring surprisingly large. He was projected to weigh 11 pounds or more by the time of delivery, topping ultrasound estimation at 10 pounds at 38 weeks. This was a lot to consider and had Jessie and Joe deliberating over the recommendation of the doctors to either induce or schedule a c-section.

This was not an easy decision and Jessie weighed her options extensively. We talked through the pros and cons of each, and at the heart of her decision was the strongest desire of her heart for a healthy delivery for her son. The decision was made to have a c-section. It wasn’t as simple as planning a date however, for Jessie and Joe were at the whim of a busy hospital schedule and then the crapshoot of births that would arise that very day. But with spirits hopeful and excited, we looked forward to the day.

I pulled up to the hospital parking garage to quite a sight that morning around 6:30 am. It was a projected message lit upon the building front that said, “Be Kind.” Simultaneously the song, Hands, by Jewel was playing in my car, “In the end, only kindness matters, in the end, only kindness matters.” It felt like a sign of some sort to me as I parked.

I joined Jessie and Joe in the PACU where they were standing with all of their bags. It seemed empty there, but the reason for their waiting was because the staff had been pulled into another more urgent birth. Eventually, at 7:15 am, the nurse came in and helped get Jessie settled and on the monitor. Jessie went over her list of preferences and was received with nothing but support and reassurance that all could be met. I think it helped Jessie to feel like she had a voice that was heard, not to mention some say in the decision, even with a scheduled c-section.

The nurses changed shifts, bringing in THE birth team for Jessie and Joe. The anesthesiologist came and sat bedside to explain the process of the spinal and to answer any questions Jessie had. Her doctor came in and did the same. Then the CRNA came in as well as another doctor. It took a bit of work to get Jessie’s iv set up but eventually that was completed and all that was left was to wait.  Jessie had been bumped for a more urgent need, but by 11:33 am she finally went back to the OR.

Even setting up the spinal was harder than anticipated for Jessie, so Joe’s wait to join her was longer. But finally, at 12:11 Joe was ushered to the OR to sit beside Jessie and welcome their son into the world. At the moment of birth, everyone cried, even the anesthesiologist. After experiencing loss, there was a profound relief and a sense of peace that came when they heard the voice of their newborn son cry out. And while he didn’t weigh 11 pounds, he was close to 9 lbs, at 8 lb. 13 oz. And Jessie is a small woman, so there was a little bit of validation there as well. The c-section went well, Holland was pronounced generally healthy, but needed additional breathing support in the NICU that first day. Jessie reported that he was able to latch for the first time the very next day and was off to a great start.

Jessie continues to process the experience and mourns what her birth was not able to be. The c-section, while straightforward, was traumatizing to her, and she continues to work through that. Jessie sacrificed a lot to ensure her son was born safely and is working to pick up the pieces to complete the puzzle of her story. She is being diligent about asking for help and taking care of herself so she can be the best mom she can to Holland. And Joe has been an unfailing partner the entire time. Birth can look so many ways it’s like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. But if there was ever a heroine in the story, it is Jessie. I am so proud of her strength, discernment, sacrifice, patience, and trust, and her willingness to do the hard thing for her baby. It makes for one heck of a great mother!

Trigger warning: This birth involves a uterine rupture, however mom and baby are fine.

Gabby and Jeff welcomed their third child, Campbell Robert in a very surprising sort of birth on August 28, 2022. This birth journey would be much different than her others for various reasons, but most notably because Jeff would be deployed and not present. Gabby accepted this reality and made sure she had a team of support who could be there in his stead. She also had a strong desire for a VBA2C and chose providers whom she felt could help her get there. But her birth would be vastly different in some other ways that remained to be seen.

As her pregnancy neared the due date, Gabby’s doctors who had originally been very supportive of her VBA2C intentions, changed their stance. Since her baby was measuring large on ultrasound, they no longer recommended nor would support her decision to do a VBA2C. Gabby left that appointment feeling letdown and frustrated, and quite frankly, backed into a corner. But she also wanted to do what was best for her son and took her providers advice to move forward with the repeat c-section. She got the call that afternoon and the date for the c-section was set for August 2 at which point she would be 40w4d. She hoped to have some time to let the change in plans settle in her mind and heart as the date of the c-section drew near. She also found out that day that her husband would make it home two days later in plenty of time for the scheduled c-section. So that was a huge relief.

Contrary to her expectations, Gabby would not have as much time as she thought before meeting her son because the very same day of her appointment she felt contractions. They began that morning and were persistent, but mild and far apart. She didn’t think anything of them, chocking them up to late pregnancy discomforts. But that evening at home the contractions changed. They became more intense, growing longer and closer too. She texted me a shockingly close contraction pattern around 10:40 that night. I told her the pattern looked like it was time to head to the hospital, even though they had only been that close for an hour. It was confusing but within the hour Gabby decided she just needed to go to the hospital. If the c-section was the plan, then so be it. She didn’t feel she was coping well and knew she would feel safer once she got there and had options, whether it be an epidural and/or the c-section.

Gabby walked into the hospital with her aunt who had driven her. She refused a wheelchair and preferred to walk, her body already sweaty from the work of labor. When they placed the monitors around Gabby’s belly, it was immediately apparent that her baby’s heart rate was dangerously low. When the midwife went to do a cervical exam, she noticed a lot of bleeding. There was no bleeding at home, but had come on suddenly right then. The mood in the room instantly changed and people swirled around Gabby quickly mobilizing toward the OR. Her baby had to be born asap by emergency c-section for any chance at life, not to mention Gabby’s risk from the potential blood loss if she was rupturing. Campbell Robert was born at 12:38 am and his mom didn’t even know it yet. Gabby was put under general anesthesia because there was simply no time for any other way. Waiting for an epidural or spinal to be placed could have had a catastrophic effect on Campbell’s already tenuous outcome.

Gabby woke up afterward to learn that her uterus had ruptured, and her baby had been pushed by her uterus through the incision into her abdomen near her diaphragm. Campbell was alive, which was miraculous considering he had apgars of 0/4/4, but he would need to be on advanced support in the care of the staff of CHKD, the local children’s hospital, and his prognosis was guarded. As Gabby lay in bed coming to terms with all that had happened in so short a time, her baby was wheeled into the room for a beside visit before flying to CHKD. He wasn’t there long, maybe a couple of minutes before he was gone. Jeff was on his way home the next day as planned and would be there by Gabby’s side through the challenging weeks ahead. Campbell was also a very big baby weighing in at 10 lb. 1 oz. and measuring 22 in. long. Those details only added to the wonder of what happened and how he moved through the scar the way he did. Gabby was also stable, and thankfully her blood loss was kept at a very safe level.

Campbell would spend about 5 weeks in the NICU at CHKD getting stable, growing stronger, and most importantly, learning how to eat. Gabby was patient and persistent in her dedication to her family, her new baby, and the positive outlook for his health and recovery. I am happy to say at the time of this writing, Campbell is home enjoying time with his parents and adoring big brother, Walker, and big sister, Mayven.

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Gabby’s birth may be scary to some, for it illustrates that a uterine rupture can be a devastating risk factor. Remember that it is also a very rare one. (Gabby was the first client of mine to EVER have a uterine rupture after nearly 900 births over 20 years.) But her birth journey is a striking reminder of the importance of having hospitals, surgeons, fetal monitoring, in addition to options like VBAC, representing the balance struck every single day in obstetrics between options but also having life-saving alternatives when the situation warrants it, and mom and baby’s safety depends on it. Thanks to Gabby’s intuition and the rapid response by the providers at Mary Immaculate Hospital that night, she and Campbell have a bright future ahead. And she is grateful for their support and honesty of her providers along the way, even if it might have been a difficult thing to hear at that last appointment.

Alex and Josh’s first journey to parenthood ended in preterm loss that was difficult, but also only intensified their desire for a child. Her second pregnancy progressed well, but in consideration of her previous loss, if she didn’t go into labor on her own at a certain point, her providers felt it best to induce labor and keep a close eye on the baby. Alex advocated to move the induction a week later and her providers obliged. Her hope was that labor would happen on its own. And that’s what happened!

On August 18, Alex noticed her body gearing up with contractions. They came and went for a couple of days until the middle of the night on Sunday, August 21. They were every 4-5 minutes and lasting a minute, some coming closer than that. Alex and Josh remained at home laboring another six hours before heading to the hospital. Their timing was so wise because once they arrived, Alex was dilated 4-5 cm, 80% effaced, and her baby was nice and low at 0 station. 

When I entered the room, Alex was still smiling and had the NOVII monitor on her belly. It glowed kind of like ET, except blue. It was the tool that allowed for freedom of movement and hydrotherapy even though her baby was monitored for the duration. Alex breathed calmly through her contractions that had quickly moved to 2-3 minutes apart, some drifted to 5 minutes. “Ooooh,” she exhaled confidently with each surge.

Alex moved through many positions. She labored on hands and knees, then sat upright on the bed like a throne, using gravity to her advantage. She stood beside the bed and leaned forward as relaxing and inspiring music played in the background. Her contractions spaced apart during this time, which had us wondering if there might be a positional issue with baby. Just before 2:00 pm her doctor did an exam and confirmed she was dilated to 6 cm, however baby felt higher. Alex was not discouraged and continued her active laboring.  

She stepped it up and did lunges and dangled with the rebozo, squatting back onto Josh, her loving and steadfast partner through it all. She did hip swirls on the birth ball and posterior pelvic tilts. She labored on her hands and knees over the CUB again, this time incorporating lunges. The nurses changed shifts into the evening and a popsicle was a gift from Heaven for Alex at just the right time. She indulged in a second one.

Alex continued her labor cycle with hands and knees on the bed and even labored laying on her side for some rest. She stood and swayed beside the bed and just past 8:00 pm had another exam and agreed to have her water broken. Alex was dilated 8 cm (at 8pm!), but baby still felt high at -3 station. There was also light meconium. Alex returned to the rebozo tied over the door and dangled through contractions to encourage her baby to move deeper into her pelvis. We also did a side-lying release to see if that might create more space.

Next Alex labored in the shower and stood strategically to allow the water to bring on stronger contractions via nipple stimulation. I placed votives in the shower and some essential oil on a washcloth to create a calming environment where she could really tune into her body and tune out everything else. The baby had a dip in heart rate during the shower and since they had trouble getting a steady connection with the fetal heart rate, Alex exited the shower and labored on land.

At 10:00 that night she was dilated 8 cm, or perhaps only 6-7 cm. Baby was a little lower at -1 station. We shook the apple tree with the rebozo (to loosen and relax her pelvis and perineum), and she returned to lunges. After the rebozo work, Alex’s contractions were closer again. But she was getting tired, so she lay back down on the bed with the peanut ball between her legs for some rest. It wasn’t easy but it did allow for some “rest.” The contractions spaced again but felt stronger. So just before midnight since her cervix was the same and the contractions had drifted apart to 9 minutes, Alex agreed to some Pitocin. They began at the lowest dose. Alex labored in the flying cowgirl position, and then felt some new pain in her right hip. We wondered if her baby might be trying to figure himself out in there. A heating pad helped relieve the pain in her right hip.

It didn’t take long for the contractions to jump back to the 3 – 3 ½ minutes range and some even closer. So, Alex got back up and did some lunges and then walked her hip out. We then used the bed to mimic a throne so Alex could use gravity again and she felt a difference in the pain—it was more in the front and back rather than on her right side. This was encouraging. The Pitocin was increased again, and we dabbed Alex’s face and neck with a cold cloth.

Then she had the feeling like she had to poop, which told us perhaps things had changed! It was just before 3:00 am and it prompted an exam. And Alex was 8-9 cm and her baby had moved down to -1/0 station. She continued to breathe calmly through each contraction and resumed her circuit of movement. Josh was an emotional and spiritual support to Alex, telling her to “breathe in Jesus and breathe out Josiah.” He also prayed over her. I found Josh on more than one occasion reading Scripture or praying throughout labor.

An ultrasound was used to try to figure out baby’s position since labor had been so gradual, and he was looking somewhat transverse to Alex’s right. So we did some belly sifting. The baby’s heart rate started to show some dips that were concerning so the Pitocin was also turned down by half. Since labor had been so gradual and Alex was getting very tired, she took the recommendation to get an epidural. The hope was that she would get solid sleep and perhaps something would relax in her pelvis and allow her baby to make the adjustments needed.

There was a delay in getting the epidural since the anesthesiologist was in the OR for a c-section. But eventually, after 2 hours and 2 different people trying, Alex got the epidural and hoped for some relief next. But that isn’t exactly what happened. Not too long after, her baby’s heart rate dipped. They shifted her position to improve his heart rate and it helped, but it dipped again. A constellation of concerns all came together that brought the medical team in to speak with Alex and Josh about next steps. She had been dilated 8 cm for close to 10 hours without progression, and her baby’s heart rate was displaying some signs that perhaps he didn’t have the stamina to withstand labor much longer. The recommendation was made for Alex to have a c-section.

This is never an easy decision. Alex asked the questions and sorted through the answers. There was no doubt she worked with her body and did all the things to coax her baby out. The flow of staff constantly complimented her on her control and how calm she was through her entire labor, but for some reason her baby wasn’t descending. Alex decided to move forward with the c-section with Josh’s full support. She cried, not tears of disappointment, but grateful tears knowing she had assembled a team that did everything to help her baby to be born vaginally. It didn’t take long before she and Josh were in the OR meeting their baby.

Josiah was born August 22, 2022 (8/22/22!) at 9:45 am, weighing 6 lb. 11 oz. and measuring 20 ¼ in. long. He was perfect and worth every bit of the journey. He is a gift from God, their sweet rainbow baby. Alex’s postpartum wasn’t without its complications, but at the time of our postpartum visit she was doing well and sorting through the early newborn issues of reflux and colic with Josh. Once again, they have assembled themselves a team of support to find the answers they need. It takes a village, that’s for sure.  

Rebecca and Luke welcomed their son, on May 9, and learned just how resilient they are! I met them earlier in the pregnancy, and they hired me as their doula in addition to enrolling in both my 7-week Birth Essentials class, and my Spinning Babies® Parent class. They did all they could to prepare for their son’s arrival. And it’s a good thing they did too, because their little boy had his own idea about how he wanted things to go, and Rebecca and Luke trusted that.

I got a text from Rebecca on May 6 saying “we’ve just left the doctor and we have some news. They need to schedule me for a c-section on Monday.” Their baby was measuring small, and he was breech. This was the first they had known he was breech and it was Rebecca’s 37th week. (For those who might wonder, an external cephalic version was not recommended by her doctor since baby was already small. They did not want to elevate risk.) The change in plans left me, and I’m sure Rebecca and Luke, gob smacked and a bit stunned. So many questions! But first, we needed to have our prenatal visit. It was already scheduled for that day, so we shuffled it a bit to accommodate the sudden need for last minute pre-op bloodwork and COVID testing.

Luke sheepishly admitted they didn’t really pay close attention to the part in class where we talked about c-sections, and it appeared they didn’t read that part of the workbook either. So we went over their options, the procedure, what to expect, and answered any questions they had. By the end of our meeting, I could see that Rebecca and Luke were breathing easier and feeling a bit more comfortable with the new path their birth had taken. Their baby’s well-being was paramount and knowing what to expect helped them to adjust their thinking for how things would go. I would see them Monday morning, shortly after they arrived for check-in.

The caveat to a scheduled birth was the ability to take care of details including arranging for family to arrive in time to help. So, by Monday morning, Rebecca and Luke were as ready as they would ever be to welcome their son. I admired their openness and flexibility, knowing letting go of so much had to have been a challenge. They were already showing great attributes as parents!

We passed the time as Rebecca waited, and I learned that James would be the first grandbaby on Luke’s side and the second on Rebecca’s. They were able to enjoy a nice big dinner the night before and a snack right before the midnight deadline to fast. There were some nerves, but in general a sense of excitement on soon meeting their baby boy.

The doctor came in to confirm baby was still in the breech presentation, and he was. He was measuring smaller than 1% on Friday so he was definitely a little guy. As the minutes passed that last half hour before the c-section, the anesthesiologist came in to talk to the expectant parents, as did the CRNA. Final surgical prep details were accomplished, including giving Luke his paper suit, and then it was time for Rebecca to walk back to the OR. Luke waited a bit longer before he was called back.

I was not in the OR, but this is how Rebecca described it to me:

Oh boy, so the OR time was difficult for me up until Luke came in the room. Everyone was amazing and so nice, but I was so nervous and terrified that I cried the entire time until he was born. Then it was great! Luke talked to me the whole time and let me know everything that happened with James. He cried almost immediately which was a great sign. We were so nervous about how big James would be, and he ended up being over 5 pounds which was a huge relief. I don’t think they held him above the curtain, so the first time I saw him was from a photo that Luke took. Luke took several good photos to show me what was going on when I couldn’t see. James did have to go to their little NICU right after he was born, so Luke stayed with James while I went to my recovery room. James was born on May 9, at 2:17 pm weighing 5 lb. 2 oz. and measuring 18 in.

I was waiting for Rebecca when she returned from the OR and was able to be with her in that first hour or so as she recovered from surgery. Since James was so small, he had trouble regulating his temperature and would end up being sent to the NICU on May 11 and remained there until Saturday, when Rebecca and Luke were finally able to take him home, a little past Rebecca’s discharge date.

This sweet couple were so accepting of the change in plans. They trusted the providers they had chosen and were stronger in the midst of such surprising developments because they had each other. When it comes down to it, a united front can be a huge asset as parents, which is yet another example of what wonderful parents Rebecca and Luke already are. I was so honored to serve this sweet couple. And at the time of this writing James is growing and growing!

Summer and David welcomed their baby girl, Autumn Rayn, on November 15, 2021. When we first met, I could tell Summer had a strong desire for an unmedicated childbirth. She trusted in her body’s design, and she was no stranger to exercise and fitness. She was a CrossFit coach after all! 

Needless to say, David and Summer also enrolled in my 7-week childbirth class to prepare for labor and birth. Summer’s midwives also recommended it, knowing that the first time around brings a lot of unknowns. She did her reading, and her homework, asked questions, and did research. She was ready. She had done “all of the things.”

But around 32 weeks, Summer felt her baby’s head wedged by her ribs. It was confirmed by ultrasound at her 36-week appointment. Summer had already spent time on the Spinning Babies website to get started on positions and maneuvers to help her baby flip. Trust me when I say that Summer did EVERYTHING recommended. She even did handstands in pregnancy. There was nothing she didn’t do. They discussed options at that appointment and decided to move forward with an external cephalic version at 37 weeks.

However, the version was unsuccessful. The doctor made a valiant effort to move her but their little miss just wasn’t going to budge. Devasted and forced to reckon with the reality of a scheduled c-section, Summer and David went home to process everything. And this is where Summer gained some control over her birth.

I was so proud of Summer for she did not deny or fight this outcome. Instead, she took her baby’s lead and did her research on c-sections so she would be more familiar with the process. When it came to labor, she told me she was not scared of it, nor the pain. But when everting switched to c-section, the surgery did not scare her. But the reality of recovering from surgery and having limited movement and postpartum restrictions, all while trying to care for a brand-new baby, felt overwhelming. She looked into how she could maintain control during the surgery and explored coping mechanisms she could take with her into the OR. We had a good phone conversation in which we went over the steps and Summer felt more comfortable with everything after that. 

There is a letting go that happens when we meet our babies, and Summer experienced it in a big way before her baby was even born. But I think working through so much beforehand helped her on the day of the c-section. We met up in the early morning, and Summer’s energetic nurse was a breath of fresh air. Then at shift change another excellent nurse came in and would see the birth through alongside Summer and David. There was a great team assembled!

A lot of waiting happens before a scheduled c-section. So, Summer and David filled it with conversation and some silliness. Summer even coached me on the proper squat as she waited. She was coaching her birth coach! As has been her tendency, Summer asked questions as they arose, making sure she understood each step and what to expect. She advocated for her hands to be free and wanted the clear drape so she could see as much of her daughter’s birth as possible.  

Then the parade of people came through to introduce themselves. The nursery nurse, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, and even the OB came by for a visit. The final surgical prep was done in the room and then it got very real. Summer shed some tears in that moment, cleansing herself of the worries and anxiety that had been pent up, and freeing herself to mourn the change in her birth. She would not have chosen that birth but it’s the birth that her baby chose. And she was at peace with that. Now it was time for a birthday party! Summer disappeared out the door to welcome her baby at 7:38 am. And by 8:09 am I heard the lullaby playing over the speakers announcing to the unit that another baby had been born. And it was Autumn! She was officially born at 8:07 am.

Photo credit: Carlyn Dahlig

When all was said and done, the new family settled into the room they would call home for the next day or two. Autumn snuggled in her mama’s arms and even latched for her first feed. She was a big girl, weighing 8 lb. 14 oz. so she was ready to eat. Summer and David were all smiles as they got to know their little girl. And somehow all the details of how and why the birth meandered as it did, things that were their focus just a day before, faded into the background as they found themselves enthralled with their baby girl. It’s so reassuring when that happens, and can some closure to the journey. It’s good to remember that in the process of birth, not only is a baby born, but so is a mother, and often a father. Excellent job to all three!

Another sweet soul has arrived! Presenting Rowen Laine, born to her proud parents, Arielle and Randy. Arielle had already given birth vaginally and then by c-section, so she was no stranger to birth and how unpredictable it can be. She hoped to avoid another c-section though, so she added a doula to her birth team, knowing the support would be important. Arielle, did a wonderful job advocating for as much time to wait before a potential repeat c-section. There was only so much time her providers were comfortable waiting, and she wanted to go into labor on her own.

It didn’t end up being an issue, thankfully, because Arielle’s first labor contractions happened just a day or two before her 38-week appointment. She had been extra busy that day, so she wondered if it might just be her uterus talking after being on her feet so much and probably not hydrating as she should. Arielle got into the bathtub and stepped up her hydration, but her contractions soon moved to the 5 minutes apart interval and grew much more painful. Mystery solved. This was labor.

She moved to the shower for additional pain management and soon felt it was time to head to the hospital. Her labor seemed to be ramping up quickly and her other two daughters would be waking up soon. Once Randy’s mom arrived to watch the girls, Arielle and Randy left for the hospital. They made their way to Sentara Leigh and arrived at 6:45 am, right as the morning rush hour was taking hold. The contractions were already coming every 3-5 minutes and the car ride was very unpleasant. Good thing they left when they did.

 Arielle was reassured to learn she was dilated 6-7 cm! This was great news and it was also the perfect time to get an epidural. She was struggling with relaxing into the pain and felt the rest would do her good since she would still need to push her baby out.

Two hours later, the midwife came to do a check and Arielle was still dilated to 7 cm, although stretchable to 8. Her cervix was thin and easily opened so we were hopeful she would be pushing soon. In the meantime, we made sure she was in a variety of positions to encourage her baby’s head upon the fading cervix.

Another two hours passed, and Arielle’s cervix was still at 8 cm. Her midwife recommended Pitocin and Arielle was comfortable with that. Perhaps the extra oomph would help those last two centimeters disappear. Arielle continued moving all over the place, including laboring on her hands and knees. Her baby got the advantage of many positions in the hopes the combination would be just the thing to move Arielle to pushing.

After two more hours and no further cervical dilation, an IUPC was placed to make sure the contractions were strong enough to make change. We also did a side-lying release the really helped to relax Arielle. By just past 3:30 that afternoon, a cervical exam revealed that Arielle’s cervix remained at 8 cm, although her baby had descended from -1 for so many hours to 0 station. There was some cervical swelling in the front, so we tried Trandelenberg to get baby’s head off the cervix to reposition. We had tried every position we could think of by then and were hoping for some progress.

However, it was not to be. Arielle’s doctor came in and when she did an exam she could feel the same cervical swelling. She also mentioned that she noticed the baby’s heart rate was trending upward and was tachycardic, and there were several noted decelerations that may indicate her baby was losing steam. The kind doctor looked Arielle in the eyes and expressed her recommendation that a repeat c-section be the mode of birth for her baby. And Arielle did not hesitate to get on board with that. 

Once the decision was made, the Pitocin was turned off, shifting from strengthening contractions to helping Arielle be more comfortable and her baby less stressed. They added a bolus to her epidural and soon were ready to move to the OR for the birth. Arielle and Randy were eager to meet their little lady who was giving them such a run for their money.

Rowen Laine was born at 5:54 pm on November 1, 2021. She weighed 7 lb. 7 oz. and measured 20 in. long. She was in her mom’s arms soon after delivery and managed to nurse 30 minutes on each side in her first hour or two. It was an excellent start, and to see the look of serenity on Arielle’s face at the end of her birth journey, was confirmation that she had made it through! Randy and Arielle were infinitely flexible, with a sense of humor that carried them over the surprisingly long hours of the labor. I will always be so honored to have been invited into their birthing space. 

Arlo Elliott was born to his parents, Alex and Will, on October 26, 2021. His parents are wanderers, comfortable living in their RV and driving where their hearts are led. Upon becoming pregnant, they thought it best to set down some roots and so their journey got established here, and they reached out to me. I was honored to be chosen to accompany them on their birth journey, for I got a strong sense of adventure. Every birth is adventurous, but theirs would somehow be an especially memorable experience, I just felt it.

They attended my childbirth class and learned all they could about creating a safe growing environment for their baby and how to work with Alex’s body in labor. And so we all waited for quite a bit. Alex’s due date came and then it went, and she remained pregnant. She fought the temptation to try to coax her baby out with various methods. She knew he would come when the time was right. So nearing 42 weeks, an induction was scheduled just to be cautious. More patient waiting was required as the first call to the unit did not yield an available bed. Alex and Will had one more night of sleep until the next morning when they had a room.

Alex’s cervix was not ready and thus needed some ripening. Cytotec was the plan and they went through three rounds of it which took up the entire day, but dilated her to 2 cm. The next step was to use a balloon with low dose Pitocin to continue ripening of her cervix. And by 4:00 am on the second day she was dilated 4 ½ cm and 80% effaced. This was a good starting point for labor. And once the balloon fell out, Alex said, “I feel amazing!” 

By 8:30 that morning, Alex’s contractions were steady and moderate. They didn’t require much coping at that point, but were a mild distraction. Her bulging bag of water was broken at 9:15 that morning as the Pitocin continued to flow. And she was soon dilated to 5 cm, 80% effaced, with her baby’s head at -1 station.

Alex labored in every position she could think of. She was on her hands and knees, standing beside the bed, swaying, and even sitting all in the first 45 minutes I was there. But it was difficult to keep track of her baby’s heart rate. Whether it was her movement or an issue with baby, they were unsure. So an internal monitor was placed on the baby to be assured of accurate information. Alex’s blood pressure rose, something new for her, and something to be aware of. And with increased lighting, they noticed meconium in the amniotic fluid. Once again, not necessarily a problem, but something to be aware of.

Her baby’s heart rate continued to dip, so an intrauterine pressure catheter was inserted to gauge the precise strength of the contractions to help titrate Pitocin accurately. But her baby kept showing signs of stress with continued dips in his heart rate. Since Alex’s blood pressure also continued to climb, her doctor recommended she get an epidural to help with her pressure as well as provide an opportunity for her to rest. After some discussion, Alex and Will agreed that it was the best decision.

She was comfortable by 1:40 that afternoon, but her baby continued to show signs that he was tired. The doctor came in and had a heart to heart talk with her, as did her midwife. They were worried about her baby and whether he had the wherewithal for the rest of labor. Alex’s cervix had not opened further and her baby had not descended, and he was quite frankly running out of steam. So they took their time to reflect and discuss, and after some tears, they took the advice of the providers and agreed to a cesarean birth. 

Alex was adorable at this point. She was comfortable so she figured she might as well put on some makeup. I just loved that about her. She was upbeat and kept her focus on the fact that she would soon have her baby in her arms. Within half an hour she was on her way to the OR to meet her baby, with Will walking behind.

Their sweet son, Arlo Elliott was born at 4:19 pm, healthy and sturdy, at 8 lb. 2 oz. He was perfect, especially after getting two extra growing weeks. The sun set outside as this new family got familiar with each other. Alex and Will were naturals with Arlo, cradling him with confidence and familiarity that not all new parents possess day one. Will handed Arlo to Alex as if he had been doing it forever. Alex learned a lot that day. She learned about the unpredictable nature of birth and how you can’t plan anything. She was reminded of the value of spontaneity and being flexible, things she and Will already knew about from their RV tripping. And she connected with her inner strength, courage, and patience, all important attributes for a mother to have. And I sat and watched her soar.