Kaitlyn and Brian welcomed their second baby, this time a girl, Eleanor Grace, on August 8. Kaitlyn’s first birth involved a 4thdegree tear and challenging recovery, and she was even told it might be a good plan to consider a c-section for any subsequent births since she had such a significant tear. But Kaitlyn had a strong desire for every chance at a natural birth, so she hired a doula and chose providers who were known for them, and Kaitlyn even had regular appointments with a chiropractor. She and Brian also armed themselves with knowledge and attended both my Spinning Babies Parent class and my refresher class. They had the information and the team. Now all they needed was the baby!

But Kaitlyn had a sneaking suspicion even in the Spinning Babies class as we did belly mapping that her baby was not head down. She thought she felt a head up in her ribs but wasn’t sure. There was still plenty of time for her baby to reposition herself so Kaitlyn did the daily activities and exercises as recommended in class and hoped that time would give her baby all she needed to turn.

Around a month before her due date, Kaitlyn’s midwife confirmed what Kaitlyn has suspected, that her baby was in the breech position. It wasn’t an easy determination since it took two midwives and even an ultrasound to verify. Kaitlyn felt some validation upon learning her baby was breech since she had suspected a head in her ribs rather than a bottom. But ultimately if her baby didn’t flip the plan would be to have a scheduled c-section. This was not what Kaitlyn expected but she also knew there was some time yet.

She did not feel at peace with doing an ECV but rather preferred to encourage baby to move by using her own body. And if her baby remained in the breech position, she would follow her lead and schedule the c-section. In the interim she knew she had tools from the Spinning Babies class as well as her chiropractic visits, but she was feeling tired and uncomfortable, and knew the importance of emotionally processing the likely change in her birth plan. And there was the other issue of tending to their son who was in the throes of potty training.

Another appointment the following weeks with an ultrasound confirmed baby was frank breech on her right side and Kaitlyn’s anterior placenta was taking up the left side. Her doctor wasn’t overly optimistic about the ECV, as Kaitlyn suspected after researching it, so they came to the safe conclusion that baby had made the choice for them. She would be born by c-section.

Kaitlyn maintained some hope that baby may still turn, but she also embraced the positives of the scheduled c-section. She could let go of any worries of who would watch big brother and her husband would be readily available and she wouldn’t have to find a way to get ahold of him on the ship as with spontaneous labor. I was so proud of her for letting go of the initial vision she had for her birth and instead embracing the new path that unfolded before her. There was still a decision made by both her and her baby. It was just not the one she thought she would choose, but it ultimately felt like the right one for this baby and this birth.

The spirit in the room of the c-section was upbeat. Everyone arrived one by one and introduced themselves as part of the surgical team. Kaitlyn had nervous excitement and Brian was so faithful in his love and support for her. There were many smiles and even laughs that morning and the idea of a baby in her arms in a very short time was still hard to fathom. As everyone was geared up and made final preparations, the confirmation of a pleasant surprise of allowing both Brian and me in the OR was just icing on the birthday cake, so to speak.

We both sat by Kaitlyn and Brian held her hand. Country music was playing the whole time. We told Kaitlyn what we saw, and as soon as her baby was out and assessed, Brian went right to her side while I remained with Kaitlyn. Daddy’s little girl, aka Eleanor, was adorable and with both legs straight up towards her head she was very obviously a breech baby. While her gender was a surprise, her big brother was sure from the beginning that she was a girl, insisting he was getting a “little sissy” from the first moment he knew she was in his mom’s belly. And the discovery at birth made it even more emotional for Kaitlyn and Brian since she was named after Kaitlyn’s grandma.

Eleanor squeezed her daddy’s finger HARD and made sure everyone in the room knew her feelings on the matter of being born. She was skin to skin with her mom at just over 5 minutes old, and she even very nearly latched in the OR. She was born at 8:16 am and weighed 8 lb. 6 oz. And was declared absolutely perfect by everyone present. And she had some seriously long, dark hair!

When all was said and done, the family returned to the room together for recovery. It was family-centered, and Eleanor latched at 45 minutes old for a long while as her mom and dad looked on. Kaitlyn was feeling good in the immediate postpartum, and when I saw her at her postpartum visit weeks later, she told me she was actually healing better than she had been after her first birth.

Eleanor rested on her mom’s breast as she listened to the same heartbeat that lulled her to sleep in the womb. She was home. After traveling such a crazy and winding road, it’s nice to know that the destination is the same. I am so proud of this family and the way they handled the changes in their birth. Changes they handled with grace, dignity, courage, and clarity. It’s a wise and wonderful start to parenthood. And their big boy at home is totally smitten with his baby sister. He is quite simply glad she is HERE. And so are Kaitlyn and Brian.

The Birth of Eleanor Grace 8/8/23