Ellie and Sean are parents again! Jameson George Gordon Burke was born on June 26, 2021! Ellie had a strong desire to have a different birth experience than her first, one in which she did not let fear drive her decisions, and with minimal interventions. She selected a practice with midwives known for trusting women and the process of birth, and she felt heard. This was very important to her this time around and would help her to feel more confident following her intuition as well. This would be the first time Sean attended a birth since he had been deployed during the birth of their first child. So he was especially eager and excited.

Ellie’s last weeks were uneventful, which is a good thing. Her appointments went well, baby was positioned perfectly, and her blood pressure was beautiful. It was just a waiting game. She actually hoped to hold on until her mom arrived so she would have the necessary help at home. Thankfully, she did, which helped Ellie to feel less anxious. Leaving for the hospital can be especially stressful when there is childcare to coordinate!

Ellie’s due date came and went. She was 70% effaced but not yet dilated. Her baby remained in a perfect position though, locked and loaded. Whenever things unfolded he would be ready. And so would Ellie. 

Then on Saturday, June 26, around 2:00 pm, Ellie texted me about persistent menstrual-like cramps and shooting pelvic pain. She was in the middle of making donuts! Yes, donuts from scratch! I think Ellie was doing a bit of nesting.  She would try to hydrate, lay down, and get in a warm bath to see if this was the real deal. 

 A couple of hours later, Ellie checked in to say she was having loose stool and constant Braxton-Hicks contractions that were not coming and going. It was suspicious, and appeared like her body was getting itself organized into labor. And around 5:30 pm when Ellie texted, she had timed and discovered regular contractions coming 5-6 minutes apart. Over the next couple of hours (and after ordering Chipotle for dinner), Ellie could feel the contractions intensifying. She was drawn in to breathe and focus through each one and had called her midwife. Thirty minutes later, close to 8:30 they decided it was time to go to the hospital. The contractions were getting much more intense. 

We met up at the front door and proceeded up to the Family Maternity Center at Sentara Leigh Hospital. Just past 9:00 that night, her midwife did an initial exam to find Ellie was 5 cm and 100% effaced. We hung handwritten affirmations around the wall that Ellie had prepared herself. It was a touching way to make the space hers. Once her initial time on the monitor was completed, Ellie moved her labor to the shower. Meditations played; Sean remarked how they helped him to stay calm too. Ellie felt increased pressure in her bottom, and I reminded her to soften around her baby who was descending into that place. It was a struggle to be soft against such intensity, but Ellie recognized that, and she knew what she had to do.

 A popsicle at 10:00 that night game a little energy boost, and the midwife stopped in a short time later to find Ellie was working harder. Sean rubbed Ellie’s back to help her soften there. And he was so encouraging, telling her he believed in her and knew she could do it. Ellie kneeled on the floor through some contractions and then leaned onto the bed. And at 11:00 that night she confessed she didn’t know how long she could last. This was code for “I’m in transition!” We were excited, but we also knew our support and encouragement couldn’t waver at that critical point. I looked reassuringly at Sean and we stepped up our affirming language and reminded Ellie of her wishes for an unmedicated birth. She was very nearly there!

 Ellie labored on her hands and knees over the ball at 11:02 pm, a very effective position for traversing transition and moving into pushing. And sure enough, at 11:05 pm Ellie began involuntarily pushing and her water broke! It was an overwhelming sensation and Ellie needed some reminders to slow her breath and focus. She slowed and deepened her breaths which helped. She was fully dilated by 11:11 and pushing intentionally by 11:20. Sean held a leg when possible, and it was heartwarming to see his excitement. Ellie pushed in several positions, although she didn’t push long. At 11:45 pm she welcomed Jameson into the world! He would have been born even sooner but he had a hand by his face! He weighed in at 7 lb. 12 oz. and measured 20.5 in. long.

Ellie kissed her son’s nose and he settled down immediately. Isn’t it beautiful how babies just know their mothers? Reflecting on her birth, Ellie felt like she could do it because her mom was so strong, a lovely reminder of how important and inspirational mothers can be. And Jameson’s name was a family name after many Scottish George Gordon’s on Ellie’s dad’s side.

Start to finish, Ellie’s birth was a testament to the fact that every birth is different. She listened to her body and followed where it led, and she also surrounded herself with supportive people, and birth affirmations! It all came together for a beautiful experience, and I am so grateful to have been there. 

Courtney and Nathan are parents again! And in somewhat of a déjà vu, they welcomed a second son after a surprisingly long labor. Courtney was motivated and driven to welcome this baby in an unmedicated birth just as she had the first time. But the emotional challenge a second prodromal labor brings can be unexpected. Life was busy as it tends to be with a young child. But add in the sale and purchase of a home and the subsequent home improvement projects, and busy was escalated to a whole new level this time. Pile on top of that the unique challenges of giving birth in a pandemic, and you’ve got a totally new and different experience. But Courtney and Nathan were up for the challenge.

Courtney sensed that her son had shifted in utero, feeling as though he was somewhat sideways. I gave some suggestions of positions to encourage her baby to realign himself and the following night, April 12, she texted to say she had been contracting since 4:00 am overnight. They were inconsistent but persistent. She attempted rest for the second night, but with contractions that were escalating she found it difficult to sleep much with contractions ranging from 10-20 minutes apart all night. By the following morning, and after rounds of positions, Courtney was still contracting. They called the midwife and were heading in that morning for some answers. Courtney was 4 cm dilated and 100% effaced but she was not in active labor. Not technically. Her uterus was trying hard to be. Her baby had shifted downward from -3 to -1 station, a testament to all her hard work with positions. It was midday when they got admitted. 

The plan was to eat a meal and then see about getting contractions to be more consistent. After lunch, Courtney and Nathan walked two laps on the labor and delivery unit and then Courtney used a breast pump to bring on stronger contractions. And it worked! Courtney’s contractions were steady at 5-6 minutes apart by 3:30 pm and had her heading to the shower to the relaxation and pain maintenance it promised. Thirty minutes later, Courtney was out of the shower and dilated to 8 cm.

Courtney labored on hands and knees through transition and was still self-aware enough to comment to us how annoyed she was with the process and how anyone who told her second babies are easier was wrong! We positioned the peanut ball in front of her so she could “rest” between contractions. And her midwife told her to push when she felt she was ready and see what happened. A lunge was the next position in the hopes it would solidify that urge to push that Courtney was ready for. She felt pressure like she needed to have a bowel movement but the pushing part she wasn’t so sure about. She remembered it was a challenge her first birth. She lay upon her side for a bit and then we shifted the bed into a throne so she could see if gravity might move her into second stage.

And an hour later she was dilated 9 cm. She was ready for a change and that change was to break her water. Surely that last barrier cleared would bring her baby down for birth. Her water was broken at 5:12 pm and she returned to her hands and knees over the peanut ball, her preferred labor position. She lunged without hesitation, and then stood with her husband to lunge while she stood. She tried the bathroom again, where the familiarity of softening and letting go might yield her baby. And sure, enough when she returned to the bed at 5:52 her midwife had nursery called. Courtney was pushing! She pushed in lunges, and we could see a baby’s head shortly thereafter. And after 24 minutes of pushing, Courtney welcomed her second son, Ford Callum into the world! He was born at 6:19 pm on April 13, 2021, weighing 8 lb. 1.8 oz. and measuring 20.5 in. long.

Ford made his mom work hard right up to the end, when a suspected shoulder dystocia that wasn’t, elevated the tension for a minute. Ford cried immediately after her was born, adjusting to life with the strength and vigor his mom had displayed through the entire labor. He had a head of dark hair and a smear of vernix across his forehead, and once his daddy cut the cord, he lay against his mom’s chest as they both adjusted to being born. Ford was born as Courtney’s son, and Courtney was born as Ford’s mother.  Ford was breastfeeding at 20 minutes-old and Courtney’s phone was already blowing up with all the well-wishes.

Although Courtney’s labor was slow to start, once it was active, I was just three hours long. She was tired and over it by the time those strong and close contractions came, but she was a warrior all the way to the very last push. Nathan was her stronghold, always there believing in her. Thank goodness for a patient midwife who presented options and did not push, and for the opportunity to choose the path that felt right. You showed once again that women are resilient and strong and will stop at nothing to meet their babies. Congratulations again!

Sabrina and Chris welcomed their third child together, Bodi King Ro, on March 12, 2021, much to the excitement of his big sisters! This birth was completely different than the others, including being their only son whose gender was a surprise until birth. As you can surmise, this pregnancy occurred during the pandemic and Sabrina felt strongly that she wanted to have her chosen support people in attendance. She was not interested in the limitations of the hospital and also preferred to have her own babies nearby. This was achieved at her previous birth in the hospital for she had them asleep on a blowup mattress beside her birthing bed. However, this was not an option during COVID. Sabrina decided to welcome this baby in her own home where she felt safest and where her babies would be close.

Things proceeded without incident until the final weeks in which at an appointment her homebirth midwife noticed the baby’s heartbeat was less reactive than desired. She recommended an immediate NST at the hospital to determine next steps. Sabrina’s baby was tired, as they described it, and at 41 weeks they recommended induction. She was told to return that evening. However, when she returned there were no available beds. A call to another hospital yielded the same predicament, no beds. Her baby was cleared with a good NST and so she was sent home. Sabrina’s midwife came the very next day to monitor baby and Sabrina also had another NST at the hospital. That would be the plan—very close monitoring and a call to the hospital (or induction) if anything wasn’t right. This was a roller coaster of a ride for Sabrina who went from a homebirth to a hospital induction, and then to a possible homebirth, depending on baby. It was a challenge but she perfected the art of letting go and seeing what her baby had in store. It was all she could do and it would be the secret to being able to roll with her labor.

Just three days later, Chris texted me at 12:40 am to say that Sabrina was having regular contractions at 3-4 minutes apart already lasting over a minute. They started 45 minutes earlier and they were already going like gangbusters. Since this was Sabrina’s third birth and I had been at her previous births, I knew that she had a high pain tolerance and would be calm through pretty much all of it. Subtle signs would mean big progress so when Chris said she was stopping and bracing for her contractions I knew I’d be heading to their house soon.

Then about 10 minutes later, Chris texted to say that Sabrina’s water broke “all the way” and the labor was “getting really fast.” That’s all I needed and I was out the door. Things were escalating quickly and they had also contacted the midwives who were on their way to the house. I arrived about 20 minutes later at 1:15 am to find Sabrina on her hands and knees leaning against the bed. The midwives arrived one by one soon after, setting up their things and seamlessly drifting into Sabrina’s birth. They listened to the baby’s heartbeat regularly and it stayed strong, even better than the previous days as if baby wanted to show everyone that all was well.

Within the hour Sabrina felt a lot more pressure in her bottom and she required steady counter pressure from me and Chris. But no matter how deeply her labor drew her in, there was always a part of her that was tuned in to the monitor on the bed. The moment there was a peep from one of the girls Chris disappeared upstairs to calm them. Sabrina was surrounded in support so when Chris had daddy responsibilities, she was never alone. In fact, having him available to soothe the restless sleepers helped Sabrina to let go and labor.

By 2:22 we could hear Sabrina become more vocal with her contractions, and within 10 minutes we heard her familiar mantra of “okay, okay, okay,” which had been her landmark transition sign in previous births. We stayed close and applied steady pressure to her sacrum, reassuring her she was strong and capable and her baby was almost here. And in three minutes she said, “I feel the baby coming.” Her breath changed in that moment from a deep inhale and exhale to the catch in breath the precedes the urge to bear down. Sabrina pushed for maybe 10 minutes as her midwife sat at her bottom encouraging her, Chris lay beside her, and I sat nearby. Her other two midwives were attentive and saying words that uplifted and empowered her and in the midst of the support Sabrina opened and birthed her baby. First the head, and then the rest tumbled out at 2:41 am, just 2 ½ hours after her first contraction. The baby’s cord was wrapped around the leg twice and the ankle once but did not slow down descent. It might have explained the low heart rate detected a few days earlier but we will never know.

He cried robustly and was soon declared a boy and greeted with tears from his mother as she grabbed him upon her chest. Tears of love, elation, relief, and ultimate release that comes with giving birth. This journey had been rife with drama, the likes of which Sabrina never would have wanted. But even when she had resigned herself to an induction in the hospital, her baby’s journey to birth took a U-turn and had her meet him right at home where she had planned from the beginning. 

Bodi weighed 7 lb. 9 oz. and was nursing shortly after birth. One of his sisters woke up as well, sending Chris bounding back upstairs to settle her before coming back down to cut the cord. There was no rush to cut it though. Once delivered, the placenta remained in a bowl nearby in the meantime. It stopped pulsing naturally when Bodi was through with it. The first hour was magical and reserved for exclusive skin-to-skin between mom and baby. And even after the first couple of hours passed and it was time for the newborn exam, Bodi hardly cried as the midwife gently assessed him with a tender touch and soft-spoken words. It’s really beautiful how serene the newborn exam is at a homebirth. And it inspired some thought-provoking discussion about homebirth and what normal birth looks like when it is left alone, undisturbed.

Sabrina was challenged to let go of the reins in this birth. And that is not something that comes easily for her. But she was ready to do anything to insure her baby’s safe passage earthside, even if it meant an induction and interventions. But in the span of a few days, she had her baby safely in her arms, born at home in the unmedicated birth she had envisioned all along. In the midst of a pandemic and so much uncertainty, I’m so thrilled this couple was able to welcome their newest baby in the comfort and sanctuary of their own home. There is no better time for a homebirth, I say. Welcome to the world, Bodi King Ro! You are the prince in your family and the king of your mom’s heart.

Rachel and Bruce became parents on March 9, 2021 as they welcomed their daughter, Eliza Mae, in a most surprising and keep-you-on-your-toes-guessing-all-the-while sort of birth. They were educated and ready, having attended my in-depth childbirth classes. And Rachel was the oldest of 8 children so she had some insight into becoming a mother. But this would be her first go. And if we know anything about birth it is that we cannot ever know for sure how it will unfold.

Rachel’s guess date of March 1 came and went and she tried to remain calm and patient. I didn’t hear from her really until she was 41 weeks and looking at an induction in a few days if labor did not happen first. She wanted any tips for starting things up and I reminded her that nothing would do it if her body wasn’t ready, and encouraged the relaxation benefit of massage and discouraged the pressure of the massage starting labor. Exercises to optimize her baby’s position were wise as was going for walks and spending time with Bruce in the final days. Labor would start if it was time and it wouldn’t if it wasn’t. And all of the trying to get it to start wouldn’t help and would actually possibly delay labor even further from all of the stress. Rachel took the advice with plans to wait.

But less than 24 hours later the text came to my phone. It was 6:55 am on March 9 and Rachel had been feeling contractions for 3-4 hours that were finally regular, just not consistent. They were mostly not too strong so I encouraged her to rest as long as possible and only do the minimum to get through them until her body required more. She had an appointment at 2:30 for an NST and ultrasound and wondered whether she should go in. Meanwhile, the plan was to do the Miles Circuit to help baby settle into position, and use comfort measures as needed. Several more hours of inconsistent and not too strong contractions, and a call to her midwife confirmed she was to report to her appointment. Turns out she was dilated 4 cm, 80-90% effaced, and her baby was in the OP position. The ob also swept her membranes in the hopes it would get her labor into a more productive pattern. Rachel returned home and her contractions quickly escalated.

Even with steady and strong contractions, Rachel attempted another round of the Miles Circuit in the hopes her baby would move from OP to OA. She had been contracting all day and was ready to meet her baby. But with contractions only 2 ½ minutes apart, lasting a minute, there was not a lot of rest time between and Rachel still wasn’t sure. I recommended she call the midwife again and possibly head back to the hospital. After an hour of contractions at that interval, they spoke with the midwife who said to head back in.

The car ride was awful, but it always is awful in labor. And since Rachel had been laboring so intently over the phone, her midwife arranged for them to go straight to a room bypassing triage. Rachel was seen to her room and climbed upon the bed for an exam. Her midwife did the exam and said, “Well you’ll be glad to know you are fully dilated.” Talk about a shock! It was about 7:15 pm and Rachel had been there a few hours earlier dilated just 4 cm! 

Her nurse worked on admitting her into the system and preparing the delivery cart and everything else that needs to happen beforehand, while Rachel worked through very intense contractions all while laying for the requisite initial monitoring. Her water broke 10 minutes later at 7:27 pm and she was pushing a few minutes after that. A few minutes later Bruce texted me back to confirm I should come to the hospital. I left quickly and was there in 10 minutes but it would prove to be just a smidge too late…

Rachel was a great pusher and moved her baby quickly down to birth. The heart rate dipped too low for comfort and there was talk of maybe having to take measures to encourage a more rapid birth. Rachel wanted none of that and so instead she pushed like never before and her baby was crowning in no time. She pushed with such strength and brought her daughter into the world at 8:10 pm! She was born strong and vigorous after that initial cry, and I walked in the room one minute later to find Rachel clutching her newborn baby girl and trying to catch her breath. She was happy and relieved, I could tell that even from behind her mask. (Yes, she wore her mask while pushing. Amazing.) Eliza weighed 7 lb. 15 oz. and measured a lanky 22.5 in. long.

It was remarkable how much her labor changed in so short a time, bringing Rachel from 4 cm to birthed in just under 3 hours. But make no mistake, shorter is not easier. Not in childbirth. Rachel was a champion at stepping up to the task as her contractions ratcheted higher. And we’ll never know how Eliza managed to rotate in the end after being persistently OP, (Rachel’s erratic and slow to progress labor had OP written all over them), but we suspect Rachel’s diligence with the Miles Circuit had something to do with it. Or maybe it was the membrane sweep that intensified the contractions right when Rachel (and Eliza) needed it most. Perhaps it was the feeling and listening to her body that helped Rachel welcome Eliza far more than the knowing and doing that had led her up to that point. All of the red raspberry tea, pineapple, eggplant, spicy food, dates, etc in the world won’t coax out a baby who simply isn’t ready. It was patience and diligence that made all the difference. Congratulations on the surprising and wonderful birth of Eliza Mae! You rode the waves of your labor like a pro.

I’m so pleased to announce the Rachel and Jason have welcomed their second daughter, Quinn Hawley. Rachel had a long and involved first birth and hoped things might be different the second time around. After all, every birth is unique and offers the same clean slate as a first birth. She did make some changes to her preparation, however. She enrolled in my refresher class, enlisted care with a chiropractor, and hired me as her doula. We were in communication off and on after appointments, and we had our prenatal visit and discussed logistics and Rachel’s birth preferences. It was a nice chance to reconnect and to meet Jason! (Thank you, Covid.) And after that, we were left to simply wait and see.

Rachel’s cervix made some gradual changes leading up to the birth. She was dilated 1 cm at 39-weeks and she felt pain in her hips as her body got ready. She incorporated the Miles Circuit into her routine in the hopes her baby would have the benefit of optimizing her position for birth. But ultimately it would be up to Rachel’s baby what she wanted to do. And on February 25, around 4:00 pm, Rachel texted to tell me she had felt the rhythmic cramp of contractions every 7 minutes for about 4 hours. They were mild enough to minimize and mostly ignore, but she did have to breathe and focus through them. By 8:00 that evening they were a little closer and a little stronger, so she labored in the shower for the second time to help her relax. 

Things continued to intensify through the night until at 12:10 am her water broke. And the contractions jumped to 3 minutes apart just 20 minutes later. With the contractions very strong, Rachel and Jason left for the hospital shortly thereafter. Rachel had done some work at home because her cervix was dilated to 7 cm upon arrival. Things appeared to be moving right along and we thought there might be a baby before sunrise.

After her initial stint on the monitor, Rachel went straight to the shower to labor. She sounded through her contractions and we angled the shower to hit her back just so. The pressure intensified in her bottom too. Rachel called the shower a “miracle worker,” she found it so helpful. And she labored in there for over an hour. She had opened to 8/9 cm by shower’s end and her baby was at +1 station. Conditions seemed right for pushing sooner rather than later. Rachel used a squatting bar on the bed to squat into the contractions in the hopes her baby’s head might melt her cervix away. The playlist “Push!!” filled the room with rollicking tunes Rachel had selected for that purpose. And we applied counter pressure to her lower back through each contraction where she felt the most discomfort. 

Rachel used the rebozo to dangle through contractions as well, with the same goal of opening that cervix. And she lunged on her hands and knees through several contractions too. She was doing every single thing to get her baby out, but she was hitting a wall. It was time for some information and to possibly make a change. Her nurse confirmed that there was still cervix and also that her baby was trying to rotate! Rachel labored on her side and pushed a few times that way, but her cervix wasn’t budging. The midwife recommended some Pitocin to give more oomph and Rachel was willing to try. She had been up all night though, and the day was looming large in that moment. So Rachel decided it was a good time for an epidural. And thankfully, unlike her first birth, the CRNA administered it quickly and effectively, providing the relief and relaxation (and rest) that Rachel was counting on.

Two hours later at 9:20 there was the tiniest bit of cervix left. It was stretchy but would not yield to the midwife’s hand. So we rotated Rachel one way and another, incorporating the use of a peanut ball and stirrups to maintain an open pelvis. About two hours later, Rachel felt pressure in her bottom and an exam confirmed that her cervix was completely gone! And after laboring down another 40 minutes she began to push. It wouldn’t be easy, since her baby was determined to be in the OP position. Rachel was no stranger this since her first baby was in the same position and rotated at the very last moment. This baby appeared to be gearing up to do the same thing. But Rachel was game to push on her hands and knees which would prove to help rotation! Baby’s heart rate dipped, which isn’t uncommon during second stage. So an oxygen mask was placed over Rachel’s face to help give her little one a boost. Rachel continued to push in various positions—why stop moving at second stage, right? Her stamina and tenacity did not wane. It was there in full force all the way to the end of her marathon labor. All told, Rachel pushed for just over an hour and her baby was born at 1:18 pm on February 26, 2021 with the cord wrapped around her neck twice. (That would explain some heart rate dips that showed up late in labor.) Welcome to the world, Quinn! She weighed 7 lb. 12 oz. and was 21 in. long. 

Rachel cried at the sight of her daughter – relieved, exhausted, elated, and happy tears! She did it! And she did it without even tearing, which was another huge win for her in comparison to her first experience.  Quinn needed a little bit of stimulation to get that first robust cry and to transition, but she was back in her mom’s arms a few minutes later and was latched at the breast at less than 20 minutes old. And that gave her parents the chance to investigate how she looked like family. She looked like her sister, only different, and she had a hairy back like her great grandpa! 

Rachel’s labor is one that defied our preconceived expectations of second labors. And shame on us for trying to predict what a baby can do! For ultimately, we really have no clue how a birth will unfold. We only grasp at generalities that happen more often than not. When it comes to birth, the most important skill is to be flexible. Rachel exemplified this! She was an expert at dodging and weaving with her birth journey. She took her labor one contraction at a time and was able to labor through another birth experience that took about 24 hours. She is a rock star in my book and she also managed to maintain her sense of humor too. Once again, this is an important mothering skill so Rachel is well equipped with two essential skills. Congrats again on another surprising birth and a beautiful baby! 

If birth teaches us anything, it is that it is ever new. The journey of this couple to meet their second child, was definitely a new experience. Dustene and Jarrod met their son, Nezrah Oliver, on February 17, 2021 in a birth that was about as opposite from their first as it could be. They were students in my childbirth class several years ago in preparation for the birth of their first child. And that labor was a long one, in part due to it being Dustene’s first labor, but even more so because that first baby was positioned in a less than optimal way. It spanned over 24 hours and left her feeling exhausted and needing the rest an epidural could provide. Truth be told, she described it as traumatic, and she hoped for a less anxiety inducing experience this time. She approached her second birth with an open mind knowing sometimes plans change, but also with a hopeful heart in knowing each birth journey is unique. They enrolled in my refresher class to prepare for this journey, which I applauded them for. It can be more challenging to carve aside time to immerse your mind in the upcoming birth when you have a toddler to take care of. Life is busy! But they found the time to commit to reacquainting themselves with the birth process, but also to learn how a second labor is often so different than the first. 

Dustene’s body was gearing up. She felt contractions and her baby dropped in a noticeable way. She felt the stretch of her round ligaments and everything was already so different than her first. Her body was contracting quite often the day or two leading up to labor. Her baby was low which might have been part of it, but she was busy mothering an active toddler as well. Plus, her uterus was gearing up for it had done this labor thing before! 

Then in the evening of February 17, 4 days before her due date, Dustene’s water broke. At least there was some confirmation of a tangible labor event! She called her midwives to let them know and then planned to feel her way through labor at home a bit. But her body had different plans. And so did her baby. Almost immediately, Dustene was breathing through strong and close contractions. They started closer than 3 minutes apart and grew quickly to a minute long. With grandparents at home to watch big sister, they were free to leave when they were ready. And an hour after her water broke, Dustene and Jarrod were on the way to the hospital.

I met them there and could tell that Dustene was much changed. She had the demeanor of a woman deep in labor, even though it hadn’t yet been 90 minutes since her water broke. She rode a wheelchair since the prospect of the walk was too much. And in hindsight she might have given birth on the way up! Her midwife was waiting for her in the labor and delivery unity, and we were all escorted straight to a room. Dustene got upon the bed immediately for a quick exam and to get a listen to her baby’s heart beat. And her midwife confirmed that she was indeed fully dilated! There was no time for the shower, no time to labor about the room. There was hardly time to listen to the baby and certainly no time to sign consents.

 Instead, Dustene rolled over to her hands and knees where she felt most comfortable and strong and she immediately began to follow her body’s instinct to push. It didn’t take long before her baby’s head was visible. Baby’s head was born and Dustene opened her right leg into a lunge to allow her baby’s shoulders to come. He was a big boy! And Nezrah Oliver was born at 9:10 pm, scarcely 15 minutes after his mom set foot in the room. He was passed through his mom’s legs into her arms. She was in shock at first. How incredible that he was already in her arms! And then she and her husband looked down upon the child that had hurried into their lives after such a wait. And they rejoiced and laughed over the sheer exhilaration of it all. 

Dustene lay back upon the bed and held Nezrah against her chest as it all sank in. He was crying out to show everyone he was breathing well. And we could see by his chunky body that he was a substantial weight. Turns out he weighed 9 lbs. and was 21 in. long! Jarrod cut the cord and the placenta came soon after. And it was shaped like a heart! Nezrah had a head full of hair and he was born alert, taking in the faces and sounds around him. He was latched to the breast that first hour and Dustene and Jarrod marveled over the stark difference between the birth of their son and the birth of their daughter.

I smiled to watch them piece it all together and was so glad to be able to say that I told them so. I hoped and prayed that Dustene would learn the ultimate lesson of birth that every single birth journey is different. And with that comes the opportunity to write a new story and create an association with birth as short and a pleasant surprise, rather than long and traumatic—a completely different sort of surprise. I was honored to see them through this second birth full circle, after journeying with them twice as their educator. Nothing compares to holding the space of a birthing woman. And I will forever be grateful you are a woman who invited me into that space!

Ashley and Wade welcomed their second beautiful baby girl, Jolene Renee on February 4, 2021. This birth was so different from the first, and believe it or not, was a bit more challenging for a few reasons. The biggest difference was the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Initially, we weren’t even sure whether I would be providing doula services virtually or in-person. Thankfully, by the time Ashley was nearing full-term, doulas had been reinstated at her hospital as part of the birth team, not a visitor. This provided great relief to all of us. We had our prenatal visit, as is customary, and Ashley and Wade explained their rock-solid plan for big sister’s care during the birth. Grandma would be on an extended visit with them as the due date approached. Believe me, this alone helps to alleviate a huge potential stressor, and would allow Ashley to let go more easily for labor.

Still, she had weekly membrane sweeps at the end since that seemed to work for her first labor. But this baby was different and those sweeps didn’t get things going as soon as expected. In fact, Ashley remained pregnant a bit longer than her first pregnancy, making gradual movements toward labor in those final weeks. She was 1 cm dilated at 30 weeks, then 2 cm dilated on her due date. Ashley felt minor contractions that started at 2:00 am on her due date. They were erratic but persistent. By 5:20 that evening Ashley knew the contractions were regular but they were far apart at 20 minutes. So continued to ignore them and went along with her regular evening routine.

And just past 1:00 am everything had changed. Ashley’s contractions were not yet a minute long but they were very strong, requiring her full attention. They continued to intensify to just 2 minutes apart. And while they were still short, their intensity was enough to have Wade and Ashley head to the hospital. After her initial triage, she was confirmed 4 cm dilated. And while this was not as much as she had hoped, her first birth experience was a lesson in “ignore the numbers” since she zoomed from 4 cm to baby in a very short time.

 Some i.v. fluids came on board to help baby’s heart rate stabilize and it appeared to work. Wade did belly lifts to relieve Ashley of lower abdominal pressure as her baby worked to find her place in the pelvis. Something was a bit off in baby’s position since Ashley’s labor had been so protracted and erratic. So we encouraged Ashley into some positions that might help. Labor picked up quickly after arriving at the hospital, and Ashley was quickly drawn deeply into focus and listening to her body and intuition. And by 4:45 am she was dilated 5-6 cm, 70% effaced, and her baby’s head was still high at -2 station. 

And not thirty minutes later, Ashley’s body began to shake—a normal sign of the hard work and muscle fatigue that come with labor, but also a sign of transition. She thought her baby was coming soon and wanted an exam an hour after her previous one. She learned she was 6 cm and 90% effaced and it was not what she was hoping to hear. But Ashley forged ahead. And you know what she did? She lunged. She didn’t like it but she did it anyway! We thought it might encourage her sweet baby to rotate too.

But she had hit her wall and was ready for a change. Ashley asked her midwife to break her water. Yes, her midwife ended up coming on duty right as Ashley entered transition! She had her water broken at 7:00 am and her cervix opened rapidly from 8 cm to 9 cm. And with the very next contraction after that, Ashley was pushing! She pushed with such strength that she brought her baby down lightning fast. We watched as Jolene rotated one way and then the other, and got herself situated out of the OP position at the very last second! She came barreling into the midwife’s hands at 7:11 am on February 4, 2021! And she weighed 8 lb. and measured 20 in. long.

Ashley welcomed her second daughter like her first, in a birth free of pain medications. But so much of it was different! Her baby’s position likely delayed the onset of her labor and when it did, it made it take even longer. Then when the conditions were right, her body moved quickly to bring Jolene into the world, just as a veteran pelvis is known to do. Ashley hit a wall or two, and looking back she is still amazed she was able to do it, considering the added challenges she had this time. But we always knew she could. And in her wavering moments, Wade was her champion, speaking encouragement and strength to her without fail. And always having her back, literally and metaphorically. 

 Welcome to the world, Jolene Renee! May you always celebrate your birthday with a free Slurpee from 7-Eleven! And be sure your mom gets one too, why don’t ya. She certainly deserves it!!

Nicole and Barry welcomed their third child, Silas Asher, on January 8, 2021. Nicole had experienced epidurals with her first two births but wanted to try for a different experience this time. She desired to feel her body’s cues, particularly during second stage so as to facilitate the pushing progress by listening more to her body and less to other people’s voices. Her body did some early ripening in preparation for birth, dilating 2 cm and 50% effacement by 37-weeks. Then a week later she was a “loose 3 cm”, so taking baby steps towards birth, no pun intended. And to make things a bit more exciting and confusing, she was up in the night with contractions off and on that eventually dissipated. Her uterus was busy doing things, just not yet going into labor.

Then nearly a week later Nicole was having regular contractions that were steady at 5 minutes apart. It was a sensible time to head to the hospital so Nicole could labor without the children underfoot. She knew she would be more able to tune into her body knowing her kids were taken care of. Nicole and Barry were in the car by 6:00 am and contractions had moved closer to 3-4 minutes apart. Nicole was dilated 5-6 cm and admitted. It happened to be shift change but Barry’s stern advocacy for his wife helped speed the process of moving to a room by 7:15.

Nicole labored about the room in positions that felt right to her. She was very calm and instinctive as she labored, and Barry was her constant companion through it all. I remember telling her she was strong and controlled, and she would look up and smile. Between her contractions she was peaceful, not anxious or scared. And this is not often the case when a woman has experienced multiple labors with epidurals. She found a trust and the desire within herself that she could labor through the contractions without pain medications. And she did not let the surges overwhelm her.

Nicole’s water broke on its own at 7:27 am as she sat on the edge of the bed. She told us it had happened, there was no need for anyone to declare it. The puddle gave it away! She felt her contractions intensify soon after and found that leaning over the birth ball upon the bed gave her a sense of power and also happened to be a great position to encourage her baby’s descent to birth. Barry and Nicole locked eyes and their connection was a beautiful part of Nicole’s labor. We placed cold cloths on her forehead and back and she heated them up quickly with her body. But she stayed focused and soon her body signaled that it was time to push.

Nicole labored her baby down and then pushed intentionally with the contractions she felt. Her baby’s heart rate dipped at times, which is not uncommon during the second stage of labor. But he always recovered with variability between. She followed her body and stayed focused. Again, her trust and commitment to her natural birth was astounding, and made even more so by the serenity of her countenance during this birth. Her midwife and OB encouraged her, and Nicole was able to hone in on what her body and baby needed her to do, especially at the end when her baby’s heart rate dipped even more. 

Silas Asher was born at 8:51 am on January 8 and placed in his mother’s waiting arms. Barry was beside himself with pride and joy, and Nicole’s beautiful smile was all we needed to see to know of her bliss. Those postpartum hormones are real and they do mighty work to encourage loving bonding. There was so much love overflowing in that space, such gratitude from everyone just for the privilege of being there, and gratitude from Barry and Nicole to all of us as well. It was a veritable love fest. The nurses and midwife were in awe of how Nicole handled herself in labor. Her confidence and trust in the process and her body were truly remarkable. She was the epitome of serenity. Honest.

Silas weighed 7 lb. 7 oz. and measured 20.5 in. long. But those stats weren’t determined until after the magic hour with his mommy and daddy for snuggling, breastfeeding, and getting to know each other. This birth was another reminder that every birth is new and different, and always presents the opportunity to see beauty in its uniqueness. From start to finish, Nicole was in labor for just 5 hours. With the craziness of a pandemic pervading so much of what we do, I am extremely grateful and hopeful that the simplest yet profound miracle of birth remains a constant. Thank goodness for that mainstay of optimism. New life, new hope, new possibilities, new love.

Avery and Davey welcomed their first child, a son, on December 17, 2020. This labor was quite the story and just goes to show that anything goes, even for a first-timer. Avery’s cervix laid some groundwork ahead of time, dilating to 2 cm by her 37-week appointment. While this can be exciting to some, Avery appreciated that it would not predict anything except that she had 2 less centimeters to dilate. And so she remained at 2 cm for the next couple of weeks, but continued effacing to 75-80% by the last week. 

Then a few days later, on her due date, Avery reached out to tell me she was having consistent contractions. It was 2:29 am at the time of the text, which was a clue that it must be something! She first felt the pain around 4:00 that afternoon but figured it was just gas. She ate dinner, took a bath, and went to bed at 8:00. But she was awakened around 10:30 that night by more consistent waves of pain that were oscillating 5-6 minutes apart, albeit short at 30 seconds. She wasn’t feeling pain radiating from her back at all like she had assumed she would, and the pain was focused low in her uterus and not as strong as she expected. I reminded her to hydrate and rest, saying all of the doula things typical to a first-time mom in early labor. And she reached out about 45 minutes later to tell me the contractions were getting closer but staying short, and certainly not strong enough to require her to stop and focus. We left it at that and she would update as things developed.

Around 6:45 am, over three hours later, Avery could tell that the contractions were definitely stronger and longer, lasting 55-60 seconds, and coming every 6 minutes. Rest was still a prudent plan so she would try to continue that. Then just before 11:00 am, the contractions were no longer tolerable in bed. But when she stood up they jumped close to 2-3 minutes apart and short again. What was going on? The inconsistent nature of her contractions hinted to her baby’s position being a bit off. So we thought the Miles Circuit was in order. Avery began the regimen and Davey texted to ask about when they should leave for the hospital around 11:30. That was another good sign things were progressing—Davey was the one texting, AND that he was beginning to think of the logistics for the drive to the hospital. An hour later, with contractions at the 5-1-1 range (thanks to the Miles Circuit), that quickly jumped to the 3-1-1 interval, it was time to head in. We would meet at the hospital.

And somehow in the process of decoding contractions, resting, taking a shower, and doing the Miles Circuit, Avery arrived at the hospital dilated 9 cm!! Oh my word! Clearly, Avery had mastered the art of laboring at home. The room was swirling with activity as you probably know—they were getting the delivery table setup and turning on the baby warmer, and taking their places. But Avery did a great job laboring beside the bed as she felt led, knowing her body would soon tell her when it was time to push her baby out. She tuned into what she was feeling and did not let the flurry of activity distract her. Then her water broke as if in answer, and she was thrown headlong into pushing after that.

As you might have guessed, Avery pushed well and was not afraid of the hard work it required. And after just about an hour of pushing, her sweet baby boy, David Thomas (the third!) was born at 3:12 pm on his due date! Avery grabbed for him between her legs and brought him instinctively to her chest. He was embraced with such love and elation, we all couldn’t help but revel in it as we watched this new mother so self-assured and grateful for the gift of birthing.

Little Davey weighed 6 lb. 13 oz. and measured 21 ½ in. long. He was perfect and adorable and he latched eagerly and fed for 25 minutes at his first go. For a little guy, he was healthy and strong, and had a fair amount of hair, and lots of rich vernix coating his skin. He was at home in his mother’s arms. And why shouldn’t he be? It’s nature’s proven method of keeping babies warm and secure.

Instinct was the name of the game in this birth and it translated to something quite beautiful all around. While COVID restrictions have affected some aspects of modern hospital birthing, births like this are such an important reminder of what is true and real and permanent. Women are strong. Babies know how to be born. And birth is natural. Welcome to the world and welcome to parenthood!

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.