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!

Amber and Eric welcomed their second child, a son, on December 17, 2020. Amber found herself growing anxious as her due date came and went. And the logistical details of getting her daughter situated during delivery didn’t help. So she opted for an induction with her provider’s blessing.  She had also had the unsettling news late in pregnancy that her son was in the breech position. Thankfully he drifted into transverse and ultimately head down, thanks to his mother’s diligence with positioning and maneuvers. Suffice it to say, she was ready to meet him. She had high hopes for a birth free of pain medication this time, but she also understood what she was signing up for with an induction. So she remained open-minded.

Her doctor was very patient and supportive and we are all so grateful for that. But by that evening, Amber was ready to move forward with pitocin. After a break for dinner, the pitocin drip began. It was around 6:45 pm, December 16. Slowly the level was raised. Amber was blessed with amazing nurses both shifts. But her overnight nurse was something special. A champion for natural birth, she was all about leaving Amber alone and giving her space and options. Although she was working harder with her contractions by 10:00 that night, her cervix remained 2 cm. Amber, who had been a trooper through it all was beginning to feel discouraged. We used essential oils to literally breathe new life into her labor. Lavender for tension and anxiety, peppermint for an energy boost, raven to help her breathe deeply, and valor for the hard work that was to come.

Shortly after midnight on December 17, we hit the official birthday and Amber hit active labor! Eric pressed a heating pack on Amber’s lower back and she labored in a variety of positions, breathing deeply all the while. Just past 1:00 she expressed her doubts about continuing on with her plan of avoiding pain medications so we suggested she labor in the shower. Amber did amazing work in there! Eric and I took turns spraying her with the shower nozzle and she faced each contraction with a renewed sense of courage and determination. And at 2:00 am she was dilated 8 cm!

Amber was so strong and mighty as she opened fully to 10 cm. It was a 40-minute process and the intensity was powerful. Amber labored down beautifully until it she could no longer resist what her body was telling her to do. And she pushed mightily and quickly brought her baby out. The doctor arrived with just a few minutes to spare and Charlie Keith was born at 3:00 am on the dot! And oh the tears! Eric and Amber both cried, overjoyed and elated by how everything unfolded. Charlie rested against his mother as his umbilical cord pulsed a full 5 minutes to completion before Eric cut it. Charlie spent time in his mother’s arms but she was quick to offer him to daddy for a snuggle. It was so precious and shows how sweet and generous Amber is. Eric melted as he looked into his newborn son’s eyes and Amber melted at the sight of her boys taking each other in.

In the minutes following the birth we heard joyful songs like “Celebrate” and “Happy”, perfect soundtracks for the happy ending of Amber’s labor. Charlie weighed in at 7 lb. 4 oz. and measured 21 in. long. He was just perfect. 

 At a time when the world is more aware of the medical side of things (aka COVID), it was a lovely juxtaposition to watch a natural process unfold and for it to happen with minimal medical intervention. It gave us hope for something better, something different in the grand scheme of things, but also reinforced that for Amber on a personal level. I know a natural birth was Amber’s wish in the beginning, but often it’s not until you look back from the other side of the experience, that you truly get the chance to ponder it. Everyone in the room was blessed to be there. It was good for us to see that birth works and that women are strong, and in spite of history, there is always the opportunity to move through a new and different experience.