What a journey it has been to serve this couple into parenthood! Their most recent birth was my fourth time as their doula, and their fifth child. As repeat clients, we spent equal time at the prenatal visit discussing birth preferences and circumstances, as well as catching up on each other’s’ kids and lives. Jessica had chosen to birth with the same midwifery group that had taken such wonderful care of her several times before. But since every pregnancy and birth are different, this time Jessica had some blood pressure issues that had her providers recommending induction. This was new and different and would be her first time induced as well as the first baby to arrive early (at 39 weeks). Her other babies had all been born past their due dates. We knew this birth would be an adventure unlike any of the others. And given Jessica’s history with short active labors, I wanted to be by her side earlier rather than later in the induction process.

 I received updates from the start. Things began with a balloon and a low dose of pitocin. Jessica was 1 cm dilated so there was prep work to do before full-on labor. It was a busy night on the unit, so it took several hours to get the pitocin going. But it began flowing in her i.v. around 3:15 am. Within an hour, Jessica felt a difference as the contractions wrapped around from her back to her front. Then at 6:45 am the balloon fell out and she was dilated 6 cm and 60% effaced. Jeff went home to help get the kids off to school while I gathered my things and headed to the hospital. Once everyone was assembled, the midwife broke Jessica’s water to see if that might begin the process. Pitocin was maintained at a low dose so we all hoped (and half expected) that Jessica’s uterus would take off into labor with little prodding. We got creative with positioning the monitor on the baby, while Jessica moved into various positions to encourage his descent upon her cervix. We used counter pressure (aka tennis balls in a sock), and essential oils, not to mention very intentional labor positions (aka the lunge!). But 6 hours later Jessica’s cervix was still at 6 cm dilation. The process had been held up literally by her baby’s hand by his head! So the doctor was able to move the hand aside in the hopes that it would salvage her vaginal birth. His heart rate had been dropping as well, sometimes alarmingly, so a c-section was not off the table. The hand was moved at 3:50 pm and we waited and hoped.

The pitocin was incrementally raised, as Jessica breathed through growing contractions. By 5:35 pm she was dilated 7 cm, finally breaking the seal of 6 cm at which she had been sitting for most of the day. Soon after that, Jessica began the shakes of transition as her labor overtook her. A particularly well-versed nurse became a huge help in shuffling Jessica through a variety of labor positions—upright throne, side-lying with the peanut ball, being some. Then suddenly, Jessica felt immense pressure in her bottom, so in an attempt to bring some relief, her nurse assisted in shifting her over to the other side. But during the shift, her baby dropped down prompting Jessica to say, “He’s coming” as her body involuntarily bore down. The nurse yanked the emergency cord sending the OB, midwife, and several nurses running. 

Jessica’s baby was indeed right there, and pretty much as soon as the midwife got her gloves on and leaned in, baby Trager was born at 6:37 pm. That was just over 90 minutes after her hand was moved away from his face! Jessica and Jeff cooed and drank in every part of their newest baby, giving him every bit as much awe and wonder as they did their first, second, third, and fourth. Trager weighed 6 lb. 11 oz. and measured 20 in. long. And he latched easily shortly after birth. Once she was settled with Trager at the breast, Jeff left to grab some dinner for Jessica. Their partnership is a lovely thing to watch. In labor, or in their daily life. It’s a well-oiled machine. Five sweet children have oiled that machine! Jessica always inspires me with her patience and intuitive wisdom. She listens to her body. She stays cool and doesn’t get riled. And Jeff is as steadfast a partner as they come. Thank you for the honor of serving your family again! And thank you for the reminder that every baby has their own birth story, no matter how many babies have come before them.

First FaceTime to met adoring big siblings!