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!

Katie and Will were recent clients of mine when they reached out about baby #2! Their children would be just 14 months apart, the perfect spacing for siblings as best friends and also an easy labor! Katie’s first birth had more interventions that she had wanted so she decided early on to welcome her second baby in a homebirth. However, it was discovered that her baby had an atrial defect in the heart that would require a higher level of care. Katie’s dream of a homebirth quickly shifted to a plan for an induction of labor in the busiest hospital in Hampton Roads. This was not what Katie had anticipated, but she had time to get used to the changes well before labor day.

Katie had a preterm labor scare that brought her to the hospital to get checked. Thankfully, she wasn’t in labor, however her cervix was dilated to 2 cm. so she was put on high alert. A couple of weeks later, she reached out because she suspected she might not make it through the weekend. At least she was full term at 37 weeks. She woke with horrible back pain and felt tightening and burning in her stomach along with nausea. Turns out she went to the hospital overnight fearing she might stay home too long and give birth in the tunnel. She was dilated 4 cm, however, her contractions were not changing her cervix beyond that. Katie was so ready to be done. And on top of that she felt like she wasn’t being heard. Requests for a birth ball went unanswered until she was out of triage and in a labor and delivery room, and she felt like she and her husband had been abandoned to wait and see. She was trying to figure out ways to insist on staying to be induced, but after several hours of no cervical change, and adhering to best practices, her providers told her she would have to go home and wait for active labor. And if she didn’t go into labor before, they would be in touch to schedule an induction in her 39th week. Katie was discouraged but she went home.

Surprisingly, Katie’s body held on until the induction. The date and time remained a mystery up until the last minute as she waited for a bed to open up. Finally, the call was made, and Katie and Will were on their way to the hospital for a 2:00 am induction. I got the alert text around 1:15 a on September 15 telling me so. This was a surprise, but a labor text would have been the same. So I waited for updates of regular contractions to signal it was time.

Pitocin began at 4:15 am, and with another wiggly baby, Katie’s sleep was interrupted by regular adjustments to the monitor and the belly bands. She was 4 cm on arrival, but the doctors were optimistic that they could break her water later that morning with a favorable result of labor. Katie waited through mild contractions she could hardly feel as the Pitocin was raised incrementally to 16 mu. After waiting for Will to go home and feed dogs, and get back, Katie’s water was broken just before noon. It flowed clear and her cervix opened from 4 to 5 cm immediately. I was in the car and by her side about 30 minutes later.

Katie had a large group of family present in support. Her husband, Will, was there of course, plus his mom and dad, Katie’s sister, and their firstborn daughter, just 14 months herself. I wondered if the people were distracting her from moving into labor and told her if she needed some privacy, she could have it. Katie nodded, but I think she knew she needed every person she had invited into her birth space.

The doctors returned to insert an FSE (fetal scalp electrode) because they were still having a difficult time keeping her baby’s heart rate on the monitor. Katie was open to anything that kept her baby safe and considered the loss of a belly band a bonus. Then, I recommended she get out of bed and swirl her hips on the birth ball to bring her baby’s head down upon her cervix. Next, she labored in the flying cowgirl position with the peanut to keep her baby moving down. She got up to make a bathroom trip after that and remained in there for a good while with her feet propped upon the foot stool.

Katie and Will returned to the bed, stopping through a contraction or two along the way, and then Katie returned to lean over the cub birth chair and lunge on each side. This was when I noticed her demeanor change. She felt nauseous and her breaths moved into moans. An exam confirmed she was dilated 8 cm already and it had only been an hour or so.

Katie continued to burp loud and long, and she finally vomited, which only brought her baby down further. We shifted the bed into the throne position so she could make use of gravity to dilate her cervix to complete. The rebozo tied to the squat bar provided a way for her to ground herself as she breathed through very strong contractions. The pressure in her pelvis grew until we saw and heard that she was starting to push.

I asked Katie where she wanted to push her baby and she expressed her desire to push on hands and knees. We returned the cub to the bed and she rolled over and grabbed it. Will stood at the head of the bed and that was where Katie gave her first strong pushes. The room quickly filled with hospital staff (17 to be exact!) and she focused on Will’s face and my words as she pushed. The doctor met her where she was, with no cervix check required. He simply affirmed her efforts and told her she was amazing.

Katie pushed through maybe 2 or 3 contractions before welcoming her second baby girl, Melody Belle, at 3:20 pm! Katie reached down between her legs for her baby and looked into her husband’s eyes with such joy, it was beautiful to witness! Her MIL and sister were overcome by the miracle of birth, crying as they watched, and a few minutes later, Katie’s young daughter returned in her grandpa’s arms to see that her baby sister had arrived. The room was abuzz with activity, but Katie was in her own world with her husband and newborn baby girl.

Melody went to the warmer for some minor assistance clearing fluids, and arrangements were made with the cardiac team for an echo to be done soon. Katie had a minor repair but had her baby in her arms for much of it. And once she was done, her firstborn daughter came in for a snuggle right in the hospital bed. Katie and Will welcomed their second baby in a family-centered unmedicated induction in the hospital. And while her room was filled with people, many of them medical students, I know they learned some important lessons that day. We all did. Lessons about autonomy in birth, trusting the birthing woman to know what’s best, welcoming family if it brings peace and comfort, and not disturbing the natural process when it works best. I realize Katie’s labor was induced, but once she was laboring, she was left to labor with little interference beyond the monitors. She was given space and time and wasn’t touched. She birthed her baby with nothing needed of any of us. And we were all honored to be there to see her do it.

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.  

Leslie and Jeremy welcomed Kai Jian Hui, son #2 on February 28, 2022, in a much hoped for and prepared for VBAC! I first met Leslie at an ICAN meeting in which I was a member of a panel of doulas. I had just showed up after a birth and not at all dressed for a social engagement, but I somehow gave her a good impression and reached out to me for a doula interview. Jeremy was at the meeting, and they made it very clear how important it was that Leslie have a voice this time. She had some high-risk issues that required care from high-risk OBs, but Leslie believed in her heart that she need not be treated as a high-risk patient.

She educated herself on her own as well as through my classes, and she and Jeremy were ready for whatever came their way. An induction because the recommendation, even though Leslie’s providers were hesitant. They recommended a repeat c-section, but Leslie stood her ground and asked simply “for a chance”. They waited for an available bed and then made their way to the hospital. As is the case with most inductions, there was a lot of waiting around initially. There were also words of caution and concern, sprinkled between the options and plans that were laid. A wireless monitor was brought to the room so Leslie would have every opportunity to move freely with her labor.

They waited through most of the day as the Pitocin was bumped up gradually. It was nearly maxed out, but Leslie’s perception of the pain was still mild. There was a recommendation to break her water to intensify contractions and change her cervix, but Leslie had a strong desire to hold off and let her body have a chance. She was effective in advocating for more time, and a phone conversation with me did her good. Several more hours into the night had her contractions coming closer than 5 minutes and longer than before, so I headed in. I arrived at her room around 10:45 that night.

Leslie was in good spirits, considering she had been staring at the same 4 walls all day. She had one excellent nurse after another and that would continue for the duration of her labor. Nurses work so hard and good ones are priceless! (And I rarely meet a nurse who doesn’t want the best for her patients.) Leslie’s doctor came in and did a cervical exam shortly after I arrived and she was dilated to 4 cm, 50% effaced, and baby was still high at -3. This was the third check that was the same. It was time for some Spinning Babies. Pitocin had been shut off which gave Leslie a nice break from the annoying and unproductive contractions.

We did the Three Balances that Jeremy and Leslie had learned from the Spinning Babies® Parent Class. Once completed, Leslie tried to rest. Two hours later they did another cervical exam and Leslie’s cervix was still unchanged. Once talking through the risks and benefits, Leslie and Jeremy felt comfortable with breaking her water. Her baby’s head was tight against the membrane, and they hoped once broken the head would move down nicely to help dilate the cervix. But it was too difficult to break at that time because there was not much give. So, they started up the Pitocin again to see.

Two hours later at 4:00 am, her cervix had made change! She was dilated to 5cm, 50% effaced (still), and baby was a smidge lower at -2 station. Her doctor tried again to break her water and this time it worked! Clear fluid flowed which brought reassurance to everyone that baby was doing just fine. Leslie lay on her right side with the peanut ball between her legs, and soon she was breathing through intensifying contractions. (She was still able to text between them though, so it wasn’t too active yet.)

She draped herself over the cub birthing chair just before 5:00 am to help her baby continue to navigate downward. But she didn’t rest there. She got up and labored on the toilet some and swirled her hips on the birth ball. And she even did lunges. Jeremy applied counter pressure to her lower back as the pain escalated, and Leslie drew strength from his steadfast support. He was all in the entire time, encouraging her with words, pressing on her hips, or literally holding her up when she was spent. Their love shone brightly through labor and was such a sight to see.

By 6:30 the morning of day two, Leslie was dilated 6 cm, 80% effaced, and vocalizing loudly with contractions. It was hard for Jeremy to see his wife in such pain that she cried out, and it brought tears to his eyes. It wasn’t soon after that Leslie requested an epidural. Her road had already been long, and active labor had only just taken hold. She wanted to preserve her energy for pushing, something she wanted so much in her heart to do! 

Peace and calming essential oil helped her to cope and she liked the feeling of the peanut ball between her legs to keep things open. She had to wait a bit but by 8:00 am the epidural was placed, and Leslie was comfortable. She tried hard to sleep and so did Jeremy. About 90 minutes later they started the Pitocin back up to see how labor would unfold. We helped Leslie onto her left side with the peanut and moved her to the right when her baby’s heart rate showed some variables from likely cord compression.

But they stayed the course, walking the balancing act between progress and safety.  Leslie “feasted” on an orange popsicle, but truth be told she really wasn’t very hungry, so it hit the spot. An hour later at 11:00 an exam revealed Leslie was dilated 8 cm! Her baby’s head was the lowest so far at -1 station too, so we were all very excited. Leslie was overwhelmed with emotion as tears spilled out of her eyes. She had not progressed to 8 cm in her previous birth, so this was a very significant labor landmark! She confessed that she didn’t think she’d get that far so her heart dared to hope for even more progress. I wanted her VBAC for her so bad, and she wanted it too. It broke my heart a little how tentatively she held her VBAC dreams, but I understood why.

Leslie slept, but after some rest she got busy being active. She lunged on her side with the peanut, we did side-lying releases to help encourage her baby’s passage down, down down, and she even rolled onto her hands and knees to labor over the cub with that epidural. And just over 2 hours later she was dilated to 8.5 cm. It was a small change, but her baby had moved down to 0 station, an even more significant change! She labored upright in bed in the throne position, and we placed the peanut strategically to keep her pelvis asymmetric. And just before 7:00 am she was dilated 9.5! Her cervix was 90% effaced and her baby was solidly at 0 station with some caput. It was back to hands and knees over the cub to get that last lip of cervix to melt away. Leslie felt more pressure in that position which made us hopeful it was working.

Leslie tried to relax as the pressure grew but by 8:00 that night she was pushing into the pressure. She had a lip that remained, but the doctor was able to push it aside, so her baby was no longer impeded by a thing. Leslie pushed with courage and persistence. She dug deep and pushed for nearly two hours, including with closed knees, and even using the tug of war push/pull with the rebozo. By 9:45 pm it was time to call the team! The room swirled with people and at 9:53 Leslie pushed her son out of her body!

She cried, Jeremy cried, baby Kai cried! It was a celebration by everyone, and Leslie savored the feeling of her baby on her chest from the very first moment. This was something she didn’t have with her first and it set the stage for such a healing start. They noticed his hairy shoulders and how alert he was, staring up at mommy. And once the crowd left and the room was once again quiet, Leslie brought Kai to the breast. And he latched in the first hour of life; another wish of Leslie’s fulfilled.

Leslie’s VBAC required a lot of patience, persistence, advocacy, communication, and belief in the process. Leslie was met with resistance, then cautious optimism, and finally a rousing congratulations. I hope everyone who was part of her care team learned something that day. I hope they learned that even risky birth can be approached with options and careful considerations. Communication is the key and does so much for a mom’s heart. I am so grateful Leslie was able to have the VBAC she prepared for and hoped for. And I am also grateful to have been by her side when it happened.

Photos in the gallery above taken by professional photographer, Stephanie Dunn. Follow her on Instagram: @stellar_photography _757

Jordan and Mike became parents in a way they didn’t expect but rose into their roles as mom and dad with such confidence and courage, it was remarkable. They took my 7-week Birth Essentials class and learned about so many things—what to expect in pregnancy, labor, and birth, postpartum, and even all the interventions that could come into play. And about a month after the conclusion of our classes, they put what they learned to work.

Jordan got a call from her concerned midwife about her elevated blood pressure and lab results. A couple of days later she developed some upper back pain that brought her to the hospital for monitoring as her midwife recommended. And it soon became evident that Jordan would be giving birth much sooner than expected. In addition to preeclampsia, she had also developed HELLP syndrome. And in a few short hours, her care was transferred to Maternal Fetal Medicine, and she was transported to a completely different hospital to induce labor for her 34-week baby. Jordan and Mike rolled with it and embraced the many changes that took place from that point on.

Cervical ripening and administering steroids to her baby girl were job one. There was also discussion of an epidural at some point just in case there was a reason to move rapidly to a c-section. It was a mostly safe proposition to induce, but with her baby still so young, they wanted all their bases covered. It was going to be a lengthy process, so Jordan and Mike settled in.

The induction began with cervadil as well as magnesium for Jordan’s too high pressures. It was just another addition to her collection of interventions that she didn’t know she would need. She got dinner that evening for which she was so grateful. But we weren’t sure when she’d eat next. With inductions and first-time moms, it’s usually a long process, a statement Jordan and Mike heard over and over as they waited for labor.

In the middle of the night, around 3:00 am a balloon was placed in her cervix to manually dilate her to 4 cm, a much better starting place for induction. Jordan was dilated 1 cm which was a modest change from no dilation at admission. And in less than two hours she was having regular contractions that required her to breath and focus. 

Jordan had the epidural catheter placed ahead of time for insurance, while allowing her time to labor without it. She decided that night to have the epidural medicine added. She was having contractions steadily every 3 minutes and it would only get more intense.

By 8:30 the next morning, Jordan was dilated 2-3 cm. At 11:00 the began Pitocin, and just past 2:00 that afternoon, Jordan’s contractions were 3-6 minutes apart. Within the hour she was dilated 4 cm. They would wait another 4-6 hours before breaking her water if it didn’t break on its own first.

At 7:00 that night, they broke her water and inserted an IUPC to make certain her contractions were strong enough. Jordan’s cervix had not changed and remained at 4 cm, but the thinking was that her baby’s head would come down upon it and encourage dilation. The Pitocin was at the highest level, but Jordan’s contractions were coming steadily. And the IUPC confirmed they were strong enough. All she needed was time.

Jordan soon felt her contractions in a different way. She felt more pressure lower and in her back as well as rectal pressure. Her baby’s heart rate took a concerning dive, so the nurse did a check to see if maybe Jordan’s cervix had made big changes. Unfortunately, it hadn’t, and Jordan was still 4 cm. It was time to change positions, so her nurse and I helped to reposition her onto her hands and knees. She labored in that position for 30 minutes before returning to her side on the bed.

Then Jordan felt a contraction that was a lot more uncomfortable than the others bringing much more pressure with it. And on the monitor, we could see head compression and her nurse and I were hopeful for big cervical change. And that’s what happened because Jordan was COMPLETELY DILATED, and her baby’s head was at +2 station! In just 2 ½ hours, Jordan had dilated from 4 to 10 cm!

The room quickly filled with people There were extras there for the baby who would be born several weeks preterm. An isolette was wheeled in as well for Jordan’s baby was be destined for the NICU for a time. All the while, Jordan felt more and more pressure to push. I reminded her to blow out the birthday candles while the final members of the birth team got assembled. With her baby a premie, it was important they had the necessary support. And once everyone present and accounted for (but the baby), Jordan gave her first push. And it was an excellent one! We already saw her baby’s head and just one more push or two and her baby girl came into the world at 12:05 am on December 6, 2021! 

Baby Ella Helene cried out right away, sounding like a kitten. She got a good rub down from nurses as well as her auntie who was also a NICU nurse, and soon went to the warmer for additional breathing support. Mike followed his baby and stood watch by the warmer while Jordan beamed at her new baby girl. She was the epitome of joy and had full trust in her baby’s care providers. She too, was a NICU nurse, so she had more of an understanding than most.

Ella weighed 3 lb. 1 oz. and measured 11.4 in. long. She was little but so strong. She was placed in the incubator and took a stop bedside for a quick sendoff from mom. Jordan talked through her labor in that first hour or so. It was a whirlwind and took some time to get her head wrapped around what had transpired.

Jordan pumped milk and delivered it to the hospital for her baby in those first few weeks. She and Mike faithfully commuted to the hospital to visit and get updates and even snuggles. And day by day, Ella gained weight. And after just over 2 weeks, she was discharged home just in time for Christmas!

Jordan’s birth journey took a sharp left turn and had her off-roading for the entirety of her birth. And what an adventure it was! She had good support, had agency, and played an active role every step of the way, and in the end she and her baby were healthy and strong, and off to a great start. Birth is a mysterious thing with no guarantees really. So, when risks present themselves its more important than ever to trust your team and to trust yourself. Which is exactly what Jordan and Mike did. Congratulations again!

Rebecca and Jason, repeat clients of mine, welcomed their twin girls, Noelle Elise and Evelynn Rose on July 21, 2021! Their arrival was a far cry from the birth of their big brother, who came barreling into the world quickly via an induction at 38-weeks. Rebecca knew that carrying and birthing twins would be different, but she maintained her desire to birth them vaginally with as little intervention as possible. She was hopeful for the chance to birth them without pain medications too, just as she had done the first time.

However, this pregnancy required a lot of changes for Rebecca. The providers who had taken such excellent care of her during her first pregnancy, were unable to take care of her this time due to a recent type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Rebecca switched providers but was left feeling unheard and unsupported. But that wasn’t even the half of it because a month later, Rebecca and Jason learned that they would be welcoming twins! This catapulted Rebecca’s pregnancy into a completely different high-risk category. Her pregnancy was riddled with extra ultrasounds and NSTs, not to mention elevated concerns that were voiced simply by virtue of the fact that she was growing two babies. Rebecca did not let the risks get to her and she continued the journey of awe and wonder at two new lives, while also feeling the shifting and stretching of her own body to accommodate her girls. There was her firstborn to take care of too, still a toddler himself. Rebecca’s aching body was stretched thin with the daily tasks of mothering in addition to the pregnancy. Jason was a huge help, but he couldn’t carry the babies for her.

Continued red flags inspired Rebecca to switch her providers again. She was 6 months into her pregnancy, but she felt much relieved after making that change. (It’s never too late to follow your instincts, mamas!) Unlike her first pregnancy, Rebecca’s cervix remained closed, a herculean task considering it dilated significantly before labor for her singleton pregnancy! It was especially critical since her uterus housed two babies. Her cervix really stepped up this time and held those babies in nicely.

Then Rebecca was hit with another surprise. Her babies were in the breech position. Both of them. She tried to do everything within her power to encourage them to rotate head down, but they simply wouldn’t budge. And the more time passed, the bigger they grew, and the less likely they were to turn. Rebecca had to face the reality of a c-section for the birth of her girls, a very different birth than the one she imagined for them. She did great job of embracing the change in plans and marveled in the miracle of growing and birthing two babies, by whatever means. Her cervix remained closed for the twins, unlike with her first, and she managed even better bloodwork too. As the weeks ticked by with no change in position, the c-section was scheduled for July 21.

Just prior to 37-weeks, Rebecca’s blood pressure was high at a prenatal appointment. Thankfully the labs came back fine, and she went home to wait out the last couple of days before the scheduled c-section. She was left waiting all the way to the end! Then on the day of the c-section the labor and delivery unit was hopping. It was a popular birthday! And another woman requiring a more urgent c-section cut in front of Rebecca, leaving her waiting even longer to meet her babies. But she was so patient. After all, she had already waited months, what was another couple of hours?

Finally, the OR was available, and it was Rebecca’s turn. Baby A, Noelle Elise, was born first at 3:57 pm. She was smaller but very strong. Evelynn Rose, Baby B, was born second at 3:59 pm. She was larger but had some breathing struggles at first. And the babies were two very different weights! Noelle was 5 lb. 12 oz. and Evelynn was a whopping 7 lb. 12 oz.! Turns out there was a very big reason why their weights were so disproportionate. Noelle’s umbilical cord was attached to the placenta by a velamentous cord insertion, which means the veins were attached to the membranes of the amniotic sac before they joined the placenta. This meant that Noelle was close to potential danger the entire pregnancy with her lifeline extremely vulnerable to a kick or really anything, and it also helped explain the 2-pound difference in their weights. It was a very good thing she was born by c-section and there were no attempts to rotate her externally. In the end, it was a godsend really, because it kept one more risk factor out of the picture and out of Rebecca’s (and her providers’) mind. And as if that wasn’t enough, Evelynn’s cord was a marginal insertion to the placenta, which isn’t the sturdiest by any means. Two babies. Two miracles for so many reasons!

Noelle snuggled with her mom in the PACU while Evelynn got the breathing support she needed in the special care nursery. She remained there for several days but made it home with her family that first week. The first night at home with everyone was an experience indeed. Family support and flexibility would be their best resources in the early weeks, much like during the pregnancy.

Rebecca struck a balance between advocating for her preferences and making decisions for the safety of her babies. She relinquished control and let go of a lot. She sacrificed so much growing two babies and even ended up with a very different birth experience. But at our postpartum visit, she was tired but happy. She had family at home to help, and her babies were thriving—all three. And to this day she is still breastfeeding. I am so proud of this mom! And I will not soon forget her story and how both of her babies were miracles who were protected from potential grave harm the entire time. Now that is a true miracle!