Katie and George got the best present just in time for Christmas when their son, Henry was born on December 23, 2020. But boy, did he make his mom work for it! (And if you ask her, I’m sure she would say it was worth it.) Katie’s due date was Dec. 17 so the topic of induction had been broached with her providers. Her cervix hadn’t really dilated much, but it was thinning in preparation. Thankfully, Katie sensed the contractions of labor before the anticipated induction. It was Sunday December 20. But the contractions were erratic and surprisingly strong from the start. She was up most of the night with them, breathing deeply, and moving through positions that helped her to cope. And by 5:30 the next morning, they were still 6 minutes apart, although longer and stronger. Katie was nauseous and shaky too. I suspected baby’s position was not optimal, which would explain her erratic contractions that weren’t moving closer. She spent some time doing the Miles Circuit at home.
They spent the whole day together, navigating the confusing waters of early labor. George made sure Katie ate and was hydrated while Katie moved into a variety of positions that helped her to manage the discomfort of the contractions. She even did multiple rounds of the Miles Circuit, which helped to move her contractions longer and closer. By 9:30 that night they felt it was time to head to the hospital so we met up there.
Katie was dilated 2 cm. But she was not laboring as if she were 2 cm. She was nauseous and shaking and exhibiting signs of a woman much more advanced in labor. Surely her baby’s position would be the explanation for her erratic and confusing labor. Not to blame the baby, but kind of yes! We labored together all night long, cycling through every position I could think of to help her baby to make the necessary adjustments to move lower into the pelvis. And Katie did it ALL. (And so did George!) But by sunrise, Katie was exhausted. And her cervix was only modestly changed to 3 cm. It was time to do something to insure she get rest. It was time for an epidural.
And while Katie was comfortable and resting, we continued to help her cycle through several positions. And her cervix responded gradually with some Pitocin. She went from 3 cm at 6:30 am to 5cm at 4:20 pm, and then 6 ½-7 cm by 10:00 pm. But her baby was not so sure about the Pitocin, responding with heart rate decelerations that were concerning enough to halt the Pitocin and restart after a long recovery break. And that’s how the second hospital night went (third night of contractions for Katie). Then it happened! Katie was fully dilated! It was time to start pushing and so she did. But with every single push, Henry’s heart rate dipped to a concerning level. And in spite of so much time and patience, and doing “all of the things”, Henry would need to enter the world in a different way. A dialogue with her doctor helped everyone to come to terms with the change in plans. Katie and George would meet their son in the OR via a c-section. So much of what they imagined for the birth had been washed away by their baby’s needs. But Katie and George remained focused on what was best for their son, and what joy awaited them in a very short time!
Henry was born at 7:18 am on December 23, 2020, a healthy and strong baby boy! Katie held her son skin to skin in the OR and her heart was full. With George by her side, they took in the features of their son, a stranger, yet someone so familiar. In their 3-day long journey, Katie and George demonstrated the depths that parents sometimes must go to, the hard work that is necessary, and the immense overwhelming love that is felt even after such a complicated and winding road. My heart swells for them and the new chapter they have opened. Welcome to the adventure called parenting!
