Summer and David welcomed their baby girl, Autumn Rayn, on November 15, 2021. When we first met, I could tell Summer had a strong desire for an unmedicated childbirth. She trusted in her body’s design, and she was no stranger to exercise and fitness. She was a CrossFit coach after all!

Needless to say, David and Summer also enrolled in my 7-week childbirth class to prepare for labor and birth. Summer’s midwives also recommended it, knowing that the first time around brings a lot of unknowns. She did her reading, and her homework, asked questions, and did research. She was ready. She had done “all of the things.”

But around 32 weeks, Summer felt her baby’s head wedged by her ribs. It was confirmed by ultrasound at her 36-week appointment. Summer had already spent time on the Spinning Babies website to get started on positions and maneuvers to help her baby flip. Trust me when I say that Summer did EVERYTHING recommended. She even did handstands in pregnancy. There was nothing she didn’t do. They discussed options at that appointment and decided to move forward with an external cephalic version at 37 weeks.

However, the version was unsuccessful. The doctor made a valiant effort to move her but their little miss just wasn’t going to budge. Devasted and forced to reckon with the reality of a scheduled c-section, Summer and David went home to process everything. And this is where Summer gained some control over her birth.

I was so proud of Summer for she did not deny or fight this outcome. Instead, she took her baby’s lead and did her research on c-sections so she would be more familiar with the process. When it came to labor, she told me she was not scared of it, nor the pain. But when everting switched to c-section, the surgery did not scare her. But the reality of recovering from surgery and having limited movement and postpartum restrictions, all while trying to care for a brand-new baby, felt overwhelming. She looked into how she could maintain control during the surgery and explored coping mechanisms she could take with her into the OR. We had a good phone conversation in which we went over the steps and Summer felt more comfortable with everything after that.

There is a letting go that happens when we meet our babies, and Summer experienced it in a big way before her baby was even born. But I think working through so much beforehand helped her on the day of the c-section. We met up in the early morning, and Summer’s energetic nurse was a breath of fresh air. Then at shift change another excellent nurse came in and would see the birth through alongside Summer and David. There was a great team assembled!

A lot of waiting happens before a scheduled c-section. So, Summer and David filled it with conversation and some silliness. Summer even coached me on the proper squat as she waited. She was coaching her birth coach! As has been her tendency, Summer asked questions as they arose, making sure she understood each step and what to expect. She advocated for her hands to be free and wanted the clear drape so she could see as much of her daughter’s birth as possible.

Then the parade of people came through to introduce themselves. The nursery nurse, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, and even the OB came by for a visit. The final surgical prep was done in the room and then it got very real. Summer shed some tears in that moment, cleansing herself of the worries and anxiety that had been pent up, and freeing herself to mourn the change in her birth. She would not have chosen that birth but it’s the birth that her baby chose. And she was at peace with that. Now it was time for a birthday party! Summer disappeared out the door to welcome her baby at 7:38 am. And by 8:09 am I heard the lullaby playing over the speakers announcing to the unit that another baby had been born. And it was Autumn! She was officially born at 8:07 am.

When all was said and done, the new family settled into the room they would call home for the next day or two. Autumn snuggled in her mama’s arms and even latched for her first feed. She was a big girl, weighing 8 lb. 14 oz. so she was ready to eat. Summer and David were all smiles as they got to know their little girl. And somehow all the details of how and why the birth meandered as it did, things that were their focus just a day before, faded into the background as they found themselves enthralled with their baby girl. It’s so reassuring when that happens, and can some closure to the journey. It’s good to remember that in the process of birth, not only is a baby born, but so is a mother, and often a father. Excellent job to all three!

The Birth of Autumn Rayn 11/15/21