The Birth of David Thomas the Third

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!