The Birth of Aurora Grace 6/10/21

Julia and Erich, repeat clients of mine, welcomed their second COVID baby on June 10, 2021! (Yes, you read that right! They welcomed their first baby just a few weeks into the pandemic!) Julia was well aware of the changes to hospital policy that followed in the wake of COVID-19. She had an unmedicated birth in the hospital, however she had a virtual doula, a mask on her face, mandatory COVID test, and hospital staff all decked out in layers of PPE. This time around she desired a less medical experience and she also wanted more choice. So she brought her birth to the place where she knew she would be most comfortable, feel safest, and make all of the decisions that were important to her. And that place was home.

Her second baby proved to be different in when she came as well, because she surprised her parents by coming weeks earlier than her sister did! Her first baby came 3 days before her due date, but baby #2 came over 2 weeks before her date. Her first labor text came after 10:00 pm on June 9. She was having contractions but they were far apart. By the next morning they had not subsided but were still spaced. Julia had an in-home appointment with her midwife that afternoon and she hoped to get more info then unless things picked up before.

Julia’s labor was confusing and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. She stayed hydrated and she even went through multiple rounds of the Miles Circuit to encourage her baby to move into an optimal position to help labor progress more regularly. And it was after the second round that her contractions jumped to every 3 minutes and longer and stronger. It was around 12:15 pm and I headed to her home. I arrived to find Julia laboring in various positions but battling her fatigue. She had been up most of the night already and the hardest work lay before her. The contractions spaced out which was actually a grace for it allowed Julia time to rest in between. Her midwife arrived for the appointment around then and was able to do an assessment and leave the equipment for pool setup. Julia got emotional with everyone assembled, and when her midwife asked about them, she confessed she was worried about her firstborn. Who would get her from daycare, when would she be home. She wanted her baby back home in the nest before welcoming her newest baby. Erich was on it and in minutes had made arrangements for a family friend to pickup big sister and get her home asap.

And within the hour, Julia’s labor picked up. This was no surprise since she had addressed her emotional hurdle. Julia labored in her shower while the pool was getting setup. Big sister was safe at home by 5:00 and Julia’s relief was clear as she exhaled and relaxed. Her contractions were requiring more of her, so she stayed upright so she could better cope and move how she needed. By 5:22 the tub was ready and Julia did not hesitate to get in. She naturally moved to her hands and knees, leaning over the edge of the tub with her contractions and exhaling audibly through the peaks. She stepped out for a bathroom trip and labored a few of her contractions there. But she returned to the tub where she desired to welcome her baby.

When she entered at 6:22 pm, an hour after she got in the tub initially, she was feeling pressure as though she would be pushing soon. She waited to feel the undeniable urge to bear down, but it was slow to come. By 6:40 she pushed more intently, shifting from hands and knees to sitting against the wall of the tub. Around 7:00 pm we heard Grandma put big sister to bed. Dinner, bath time, and now bedtime routines were completed. This might be the last thing keeping Julia from birthing. Just in case, I also offered her some sugar in case she was feeling weary. Julia was interested in a cervical exam and her midwife obliged, confirming she was fully dilated with a bulging bag of water. No wonder she felt so much pressure but pushing wasn’t quite happening. She pushed some on the bed using the rebozo to tug-of-war push with her midwife for a bit. Upright positions seemed to be in order, so I recommended Julia return to the shower to make use of the ledge so she could do standing lunges. Surely that would bring her baby’s head down to birth.

Julia returned to the tub at 8:25 pm and that’s when we really saw some progress. She pushed in a squat and after just one or two contractions her water broke. Then her vocalizations changed and we heard the unmistakable guttural sound of a baby coming. Her midwife shined a flashlight but didn’t quite see baby. We continued our words of encouragement, cold cloths, and all of the support. And then Julia leaned forward in silence and reached down for her baby! The midwife said, “Oh!” as Julia leaned back against the wall of the tub, baby in arms. It was 8:43 pm when Aurora Grace was born unbeknownst to the people present. It was a secret between her mom and God, just as it was intended.

Aurora cried out right away and a towel was gently rubbed on her back to keep the cries and breathing coming as well as keep her warm. Julia embraced her baby calmly and we marveled at how her baby flew under the radar and the flashlight pointed at Julia’s backside. Clearly she preferred not to be in the spotlight when she entered the world. The placenta came 10 minutes later and was placed in a bowl floating beside the mother-baby pair. When she was ready, Julia got out of the tub and proceeded to the bed where she would stay. Grandparents joined her and her mother’s “Wow! Wow! Wow!” said it all. A miracle had transpired upstairs all while they went about their day.

Next on the agenda was food so Julia placed her order and Erich set out on a mission to get it before closing time. Meanwhile, Aurora latched and had her first nursing session as Julia ate some snacks. All was well and there was no rushing any of it. In time, the midwife did the newborn exam so calmly. Homebirth babies rarely cry during the exam, believe it or not. And we confirmed that Aurora weighed in at 7 lb. 2 oz. and 18 ½ in. long. The midwives cleaned up and did some education, while I remained with Julia. And soon it was time to leave. Erich had returned with dinner and she had her parents at home to help. It was time to tuck in for the night. How lovely that she had nowhere to go and she was already home.

This birth was a timely reminder that even as a pandemic swirls about the world, birth can still be intimate and safe, and done at home. I was honored to serve this sweet family as they welcomed both of their babies just 14 months apart. Hopefully by the time they welcome any other babies the pandemic will be a thing of the past. One can hope!