The Birth of Clark Sydney 8/28/22

Morgan and Andrew welcomed their son, Clark Sydney, on August 28, 2022. Morgan made the decision to switch her care providers to one that was a better fit for the birth she envisioned for herself, not to mention the care and options she would have available. Her first labor text to me came just before 1:00 pm on August 28. She had noticed the contractions since the previous night but didn’t want to raise alarms too soon. Her contractions were still far apart at 10 minutes and not much more than 30 seconds, so I reminded her to hydrate, rest, and minimize.

Four hours passed and I got a call that Morgan’s water broke, and her contractions changed quickly after that. They were very consistent and strong and since she was supposed to receive antibiotics, they called the midwife and headed to the hospital. They had a sizable drive to the hospital, with a tunnel between them, but Andrew managed to get them through it only to get stuck behind the drawbridge opening for 10-15 minutes. They were only 4-5 cars from the front of the line too. But they made it to the hospital with a few hours to spare, although we didn’t know this at the time.

Morgan was dilated 5 cm and 90% effaced, a very fine place to be for a first-time mom. She was at the tipping point when labor would change. And she was finding her labor rhythm.

We all came together just past 8:00 that night and with her eye on the clock, Morgan asked us if we thought she would give birth before midnight. While we weren’t quite sure about that, we were willing to wager she’d have her baby before the sunrise. She asked about an epidural, more to fish for information, asking if it would mean she couldn’t get out of bed. And when we told her that it did, she didn’t mention it again.

Morgan sighed calmly through her surges, using her voice to keep her grounded as she moaned lightly through the peaks. Andrew applied counter pressure to her lower back. We cooled her with a fan and wet washcloths, but Morgan did a great job of staying focused on her breath through each contraction.

Morgan’s contractions moved to 3 minutes apart, and we hunkered down for active labor. I set up votives in the shower and gathered towels for her. I even started a pot of coffee thinking we might need some caffeine. But I would be wrong! (And so glad to be!)

Morgan went to the bathroom and seemed to bring her baby down nicely there. The plan was to move her labor into the shower next, but she wouldn’t make it there. It wasn’t in there long before we heard her making pushing sounds, and her nurse asked if she was pushing to which Morgan replied, “maybe?” So, her nurse checked and there was a baby’s head! She asked Morgan to return to the bed and then called the midwife.

Morgan was fully dilated, and her baby was quite low at +1/+2 and it was time to push! She had progressed from 5 to 10 cm in just a couple of hours! She blew raspberries as the pressure to bear down grew. And when she couldn’t stop it anymore, she pushed.

Morgan pushed in upright positions—hands and knees, kneeling upright using the squat bar, as well as lunging. Her baby needed her to push in all sorts of positions. She dilated quickly upon arrival to the hospital, but she still had about 2 hours of pushing to do. She was very patient and controlled as her baby made his way out at the very end, breathing through the ring of fire. And then Clark Sydney was born at 11:20 pm! He was born before midnight just like Morgan had asked! Her nurse and I would have lost that bet had we placed money on it!

Morgan nestled her son against her and took him in. The warm wet feel of your newborn has a way of pulling you back into the present moment. She had done it and done it in surprising fashion! And kudos to Andrew for getting her there in time. The driving job can be the most stressful part of labor! Clark weighed 6 lb. 9 oz. and was 19.75 in. long.

Morgan looked at me and told me she was so glad I was there. I smile and wonder in my mind what I did really. But holding her space and believing in her was at the heart of it. But she believed in herself and worked with her body, never letting the sensations of labor overwhelm her to the point of changing her plan. It was a lovely reminder of how unpredictable birth can be. And in a good way.