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!

Amber and Eric welcomed their second child, a son, on December 17, 2020. Amber found herself growing anxious as her due date came and went. And the logistical details of getting her daughter situated during delivery didn’t help. So she opted for an induction with her provider’s blessing.  She had also had the unsettling news late in pregnancy that her son was in the breech position. Thankfully he drifted into transverse and ultimately head down, thanks to his mother’s diligence with positioning and maneuvers. Suffice it to say, she was ready to meet him. She had high hopes for a birth free of pain medication this time, but she also understood what she was signing up for with an induction. So she remained open-minded.

Her doctor was very patient and supportive and we are all so grateful for that. But by that evening, Amber was ready to move forward with pitocin. After a break for dinner, the pitocin drip began. It was around 6:45 pm, December 16. Slowly the level was raised. Amber was blessed with amazing nurses both shifts. But her overnight nurse was something special. A champion for natural birth, she was all about leaving Amber alone and giving her space and options. Although she was working harder with her contractions by 10:00 that night, her cervix remained 2 cm. Amber, who had been a trooper through it all was beginning to feel discouraged. We used essential oils to literally breathe new life into her labor. Lavender for tension and anxiety, peppermint for an energy boost, raven to help her breathe deeply, and valor for the hard work that was to come.

Shortly after midnight on December 17, we hit the official birthday and Amber hit active labor! Eric pressed a heating pack on Amber’s lower back and she labored in a variety of positions, breathing deeply all the while. Just past 1:00 she expressed her doubts about continuing on with her plan of avoiding pain medications so we suggested she labor in the shower. Amber did amazing work in there! Eric and I took turns spraying her with the shower nozzle and she faced each contraction with a renewed sense of courage and determination. And at 2:00 am she was dilated 8 cm!

Amber was so strong and mighty as she opened fully to 10 cm. It was a 40-minute process and the intensity was powerful. Amber labored down beautifully until it she could no longer resist what her body was telling her to do. And she pushed mightily and quickly brought her baby out. The doctor arrived with just a few minutes to spare and Charlie Keith was born at 3:00 am on the dot! And oh the tears! Eric and Amber both cried, overjoyed and elated by how everything unfolded. Charlie rested against his mother as his umbilical cord pulsed a full 5 minutes to completion before Eric cut it. Charlie spent time in his mother’s arms but she was quick to offer him to daddy for a snuggle. It was so precious and shows how sweet and generous Amber is. Eric melted as he looked into his newborn son’s eyes and Amber melted at the sight of her boys taking each other in.

In the minutes following the birth we heard joyful songs like “Celebrate” and “Happy”, perfect soundtracks for the happy ending of Amber’s labor. Charlie weighed in at 7 lb. 4 oz. and measured 21 in. long. He was just perfect. 

 At a time when the world is more aware of the medical side of things (aka COVID), it was a lovely juxtaposition to watch a natural process unfold and for it to happen with minimal medical intervention. It gave us hope for something better, something different in the grand scheme of things, but also reinforced that for Amber on a personal level. I know a natural birth was Amber’s wish in the beginning, but often it’s not until you look back from the other side of the experience, that you truly get the chance to ponder it. Everyone in the room was blessed to be there. It was good for us to see that birth works and that women are strong, and in spite of history, there is always the opportunity to move through a new and different experience. 

Isabella and Corey are parents! They welcomed their sweet ray of sunshine, Callie Lucille, on November 21! It was such an honor when Isabella shared the secret of her pregnancy because I had been lucky to work by her side at many births. She is a nurse! But being a nurse can make it more challenging to be the patient, and Isabella knew this to be true. Her body dilated gradually and she felt waves of contractions come and go for weeks. Nighttime was the hardest because that’s when her uterus would gear up. She did Miles Circuit and was mindful of being restful, knowing she would need energy when those contractions organized themselves into active labor. Then on Saturday evening I got a text at 5;25 with a contraction pattern and the comment that “the last three have gotten really strong. I’ll let you know in another hour.” Isabella had felt the familiar bout of contractions 10-15 minutes apart, but they picked up in intensity around 4:30 that afternoon. I reminded her that she had been feeling contractions for weeks and unless they were different they were likely more of the same. And this was when Isabella assured me she really thought they were different. She would keep me posted and continue various positions as she was able.

Two hours later I got a text that Isabella and Corey were going to the hospital. And Isabella said, “I’ll let you know if we are staying.” So I waited to hear back. Wellllllll, it was definitely labor because when Isabella arrived her midwife did an exam and confirmed she was 8 cm dilated! Thank goodness I live close and was able to be there a few minutes later. I walked in the room at 8:20 to find Isabella working hard to stay centered during her contractions as well as in between. She was answering questions even as her contractions intensified, trying in earnest to help her fellow nurse complete her admissions tasks. Corey and I circulated wet cloths on Isabella’s head. She was generating a lot of heat from her transition labor! “I can’t do this,” did escape Isabella’s mouth, along with other things like, “I want an epidural,” but Isabella was rocking it and facing each contraction with courage and determination when they came. We recognized it as transition talking and knew she would have her baby in her arms very soon. Isabella was pushing by 8:55 pm.

Isabella welcomed her midwife’s offer to break her water, she was already pushing and we could already see birth was imminent. “Out, out, out, come out, baby, you hurt!” was Isabella’s mantra to Callie. They were working so well together every step of the way, as if Callie heard her mom’s words and obeyed. Isabella reached her hand down to confidently feel her baby’s head. I just love that moment of connection and awe so much! It doesn’t matter that Isabella had witnessed hundreds of babies being born. She was so captivated you never would have known. Isabella connected with her baby again and again in this way, and it spurred her on to keep pushing.

Isabella brought her baby to a crown and sighed and stretched as she gently eased her out. And Callie was born at 9:18 pm with her amniotic membranes around her waist like a skirt. She was such a girly girl from the start! Isabella grabbed Callie up to her and noted right away she did not have a tongue tie. And she also told her nurse she was comfortable with postpartum Pitocin if she felt it necessary. Yes, Isabella was definitely a L&D nurse. She smiled at her midwife and thanked her for catching her baby and graciously allowed her coworkers to pop in and congratulate her. I imagine they were jockeying for position to be in that room for delivery, knowing it was their friend, Isabella giving birth! Membership has its perks, because her midwife brought her some pizza and cookies from the staff room saying, “You get the reward for the hardest working nurse on the unit today.” No one would argue that! Callie was 19 ½ in. long and weighed in officially at 6 lb. 4.4 oz. But I have to give Isabella credit for her estimated weight of 6 lb. 5 oz.! Truly, mommy knows best.

Isabella had a greater challenge before her simply by being a nurse herself. She even finished her shift the day her labor got going. But she managed to take care of her husband’s needs—making him mac and cheese during labor to keep HIS strength up, assist her nurse—she helped her with proper ice pack placement, and even thanked every member of her birth team for being there. But don’t let her sweetness mislead you because I can vouge for the fact that when it comes to birth, she is a downright warrior with unfailing strength who is not afraid to let a few adult words slip from her mouth. It was such a joy to accompany this couple to parenthood. Well done!

Haley and Kent, repeat clients of mine, welcomed their second son on November 12. Her pregnancy journey was different than her first. Preterm labor was a concern based on her previous birth, so a cerclage was placed rather early on. It was removed that final month and we were all pleasantly surprised that Haley’s cervix held on and she didn’t go into labor until a day past her due date! I got a text at 7:40 am that Haley’s water had broken a couple of hours earlier. Verifying whether water has broken can be confusing even for a woman who has previously given birth. Thankfully Haley’s body began contracting and by early that afternoon she was heading to the hospital. We met up at the hospital right around the same time and I could see that Haley was forced to stop and breathe through her contractions. Walking up to labor and delivery, and knowing an exam was coming, Haley just hoped she wouldn’t be dilated only 4-5 cm. She wanted to be further along. And she was! Her midwife confirmed her dilation at 6 cm and felt membranes in front of the baby’s head. So perhaps the amniotic sac had not yet broken.

Haley was patient as they admitted her, including strapped monitors around her belly and doing the requisite COVID test. Once done however, when Haley got up out of the bed, she felt a lot more pressure. And the next contraction that came brought her down to her hands and knees upon the floor. Now, things had taken a significant turn. The shower was her next destination, for she knew the warm water would help her to relax and continue to cope with her growing contractions. She labored in several positions under the water flow and we saw some bloody show that hinted of further cervical change.  

Haley emerged from the shower nearly an hour later and her cervix was dilated to 8 cm and her baby’s head was at -1 station. She was vocalizing louder and longer through the contractions, and even paused between two to say, “I’m less chatty now.” Haley was entering transition, the hardest but shortest phase of labor. Her midwife chimed in with, “The smiles between contractions are gone.” But the greatest joy was coming soon! Haley squatted, clutching the rebozo anchored on the back of the bathroom door. She faced the physical demands of her labor with stamina and a willingness to do demanding things. This would soon be invaluable for soon after Haley began to push, her baby’s heart rate dipped. An oxygen mask was placed over her face and she pulled from her inner strength to push with all she had. She pushed with great effort, but once her baby’s head was born, the shoulder’s weren’t coming. There was a delay, but the staff mobilized and worked together with Haley’s strong pushes to bring Emmett Jesse out into the world in spite of a rather scary shoulder dystocia. He weighed 8 lb. 10 oz., by the way.

Emmett was a bit stunned at first and needed some respiratory support. But he transitioned well and was back in his mother’s arms as soon as possible. After working so valiantly to birth her son, poor Haley was left waiting and asking if he was okay since she didn’t hear his cry. We assured her he was fine and getting the support necessary, and in time he did cry on his own which brought tears to her eyes. When he was declared just fine and returned to her, Haley gathered her son in her arms and held him close. After putting forth such great effort she looked into his eyes and was lost in time and memory, seeing all she needed in that moment right in her son. Mothers are such warriors and goddesses, bringing forth life from painful and raw places that leave them so open and vulnerable, and yet strong and ready. Haley is definitely one of those. It was amazing to serve beside her through yet another dramatic birth journey.

Trea Bradley was born on November 7, making Danielle and Clemmie parents and changing their lives forever. Danielle’s first sign of labor manifested as erratic contractions and significant back pain. This was on Friday afternoon, November 6. The pain was so consistent that she had trouble deciphering when she was having contractions. She was intentional with her positions in the hopes her baby would get himself squared away. She spent time in the shower to help her cope with the contractions, and even got sick from the pain. They called the midwife and decided to head to the hospital, arriving at 10:00 that night. Danielle was dilated 3 cm at her previous appointment, so when her midwife checked and measured her cervix at 4 cm, it wasn’t the good news she was hoping for. She kept her attitude positive as she dressed in her labor gown and completed the admissions process. Danielle felt a lot of pain in her left hip with her contractions so we incorporated positions that would move her baby off of the left side. Warm compresses and additional shower time were a temporary relief, but ultimately couldn’t touch the hip pain. Danielle was feeling exhausted and overwhelmed and decided an epidural would be a good tool to help the process. She would get rest and her pelvis would get complete relaxation too. 

By 1:00 that night, Danielle was dilated 5 cm. Progress was being made and her spirits were high. Then about 30 minutes later her water broke spontaneously. Another positive! There was some meconium so a pediatrician would attend the birth, but all in all things were looking good. Her midwife verified that Trae was looking at his mom’s right hip, thus causing the left hip pain with the back of his head. So we cycled Danielle through various positions to encourage her baby’s rotation and descent. We used a peanut ball, some pillows, the stirrups, and even intentional leg positioning. And by 6:15 am, Danielle was dilated 8 cm! her midwives changed shifts and she looked forward to welcoming her baby that morning. At least that was the assumption. 

But after four hours, with no cervical change, and contractions that had spread apart, her midwife and doctor felt it was time to incorporate some Pitocin. A little more power to her contractions might be the key to opening her cervix and maneuvering her son into a more optimal birth position. And it seemed to work because an hour later she was 9 cm and her baby was at 0 station. It took another 2 ½ hours after that, but Danielle got the excellent news that she was fully dilated and her baby’s head was at +2 station! This was a huge landmark and a goal she had been working toward for over 24 hours! But then it was time to push. And that would prove to be a whole new challenging adventure. Danielle gave her first push at 2:20 pm. And she pushed in every position imaginable and even used the rebozo to tug of war push. Her baby was moving but very gradually, and Danielle was exhausted. After nearly 3 hours of pushing and a heartfelt conversation with her doctor, they decided some help with the vacuum would facilitate a vaginal birth. Danielle began to feel the pain of her contractions but she mustered her courage and listened to her doctor, and she drew from a deep well of strength to push her baby out!

Trea Bradley was born at 5:21 pm and was a little stunned at first. He needed to be reminded how to breath but transitioned well with some nursery time. Thankfully Danielle and Clemmie were able to savor a few minutes holding and touching their newborn son. That separation is always so difficult, but once again, Danielle summoned her courage to do the hard thing. Trea weighed 7 lb. 5 oz. and was 21 ½ in. long. He was the perfect size, which helped give the best chance for a vaginal birth! It’s worth noting that Danielle had an amazing labor soundtrack. We heard songs by Queen cycle through the hours she pushed and when she welcomed her son we could hear, “We Are the Champions” playing in the background, the perfect song. Danielle was a champion through her labor. She persevered through a lot. She missed several meals (a clear tray of food doesn’t count). She had to change her plan and be open to what her baby needed both during her birth and the immediate postpartum. She put her own wants aside and made sure her son at the best start and all the support necessary. That is a true mom skill. And Clemmie was such a steadfast partner! He never left Danielle’s side. We had to nag him to go get food and he hardly slept. He wanted so badly to be present for Danielle. And while I don’t recommend foregoing food and sleep for the woman you love, if that was a barometer, his love for his wife and son are off the charts. You make such an amazing team. Thank you for allowing me to be a little part of it.

This little boy was so eager to see the results of the presidential election, he came over a month early! Of course, we all know the outcome had not been resolved that night but he was here nonetheless! And here is how it all happened. Stacy and Matt were repeat clients of mine, but this pregnancy was definitely not a repeat of the first. Not a bit of it was the same! This baby and the pregnancy all occurred over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic so that affected things. And this time around, Stacy had some alarming preterm contractions on October 24. She was only 34w3d along so buying more time for her baby boy to cook was ideal. Thankfully, iv fluids helped to settle things down enough to go home, and a steroid shot for good measure would help ensure his lungs were ready when he was. And Stacy was already dilated 3 cm so there was also that! Needless to say, the remaining weeks of the pregnancy brought an elevated level of vigilance and worry.

So when Stacy noticed some bleeding 10 days later she did not hesitate to call her midwife. They were instructed to go to the hospital and get checked out, and soon after she arrived Stacy felt the familiar roll of contractions. They were mild, but they were there. Stacy was 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced and her midwife told her that she would not be going home. She might be monitored until delivery unless she was in labor and would birth that night. Believe it or not, that still remained to be seen. Stacy wasn’t even sure herself, whether she was in labor. But within a couple of hours that changed. Just before 1:00 am, Matt sent me a text that they were pretty sure the baby was coming later that day. Stacy also happened to be 6 cm and 100% effaced so it was definitely labor! I arrived 20 minutes later. Thank goodness I live close.

Stacy felt a lot of worry and anxiety in this labor. Her preterm labor contractions and bleeding, and now facing the reality of a late preterm birth had her struggling to feel calm and safe. She felt a nap and the opportunity to regroup would be instrumental in her mental and emotional readiness to welcome her son. She requested an epidural and the wheels were rapidly set in motion to make it happen. Stacy’s epidural was in place by 1:25am. Naptime! Or so she thought. Her son’s heart rate dipped from the strong contractions and his rapid descent, so everyone watched him closely, while also readying the delivery cart. We knew Stacy would be meeting her son very soon, even if she didn’t realize it. And 40 minutes after the epidural was placed and before the pump was set up, Stacy was fully dilated and feeling a lot or pressure! It was time!

Stacy felt a lot of worry and anxiety in this labor. Her preterm labor contractions and bleeding, and now facing the reality of a late preterm birth had her struggling to feel calm and safe. She felt a nap and the opportunity to regroup would be instrumental in her mental and emotional readiness to welcome her son. She requested an epidural and the wheels were rapidly set in motion to make it happen. Stacy’s epidural was in place by 1:25am. Naptime! Or so she thought. Her son’s heart rate dipped from the strong contractions and his rapid descent, so everyone watched him closely, while also readying the delivery cart. We knew Stacy would be meeting her son very soon, even if she didn’t realize it. And 40 minutes after the epidural was placed and before the pump was set up, Stacy was fully dilated and feeling a lot or pressure! It was time!

The relief that washed over Stacy and Matt was intense as they took in their perfect and healthy son who had them worried sick just a couple of weeks before. He latched in his perfect time at 3:00 am, and finally Stacy was the image of peace and serenity that she had evaded her. This baby’s birth was a master class on the importance of letting go and greeting your birth journey with open hands and an open mind and heart. She was patient, trusting, courageous, discerning, and accepting of the path her baby chose for himself. Their sweet loving relief was clear to me as I saw Matt’s lovestruck grin looking into his son’s squinty eyes, and in the way Stacy cradled her son confidently when just a couple of hours earlier she cradled her belly in anxiousness and fear. Paxton was born in his perfect time and it was beautiful. 

Proud big sister

Alana and Matt were third-time clients of mine, so we eased into a comfortable dynamic from the start. Thankfully, COVID restrictions had been lifted at Alana’s chosen birthplace so as to allow in-person doula support. We rejoiced at the opportunity to be a birth team for the third time. As a woman who had given birth twice already, Alana’s body did a lot of prep work leading up to labor. She felt more contractions and twinges, and accepted them as par for the course. Alana knew that she wanted to labor at home as long as possible for she had no interest in breathing through contractions with a mask over her mouth and nose. She also desired to be upright and moving for all of it—NST or not. And we supported her in her wishes and formulated a plan to best execute them, namely laboring at home until active labor and having a solid childcare plan for the other kids so she could leave quickly. Alana’s due date came and went, just like her others. And she waited and hoped to avoid the induction that had been penciled on the calendar at the 41w5d mark. A well-timed chiropractic visit (the day before the scheduled induction!) gave her the chance for one last adjustment as well as a face to face with me as I was arriving for my appointment as she was leaving hers!

And four hours later, Alana texted to tell me she was having real contractions. She wasn’t timing them yet but was stopping and breathing through them. Then two hours later, Matt texted asking me to come to the house. Things had escalated and they were lining up care for the kids as the grandparents were in route out of state. I left a short time later and arrived at 6:45 pm. I let myself in and found my way to Alana upstairs in the bathtub. During contractions, Alana rocked forward and back and breathed and moaned through the peaks as Matt was gently stroking her shoulders and cooling her with a washcloth. After one such contraction, Alana looked up at me and asked, “So when do we go to the hospital?” Coming from the woman who was bound and determined to stay home as long as absolutely possible, I took this is a sign it was close to that time. And the contractions were closer than Alana realized because when I asked it was Matt who corrected her by saying they were well under the 5-minute mark. Within 30 minutes of my arrival, we were on our way out the door.

The car ride was intense, but it always is. Alana was relieved to be out of the car and walking. In fact, she insisted on walking the whole way, declining a wheelchair. A contraction brought her to her hands and knees in the foyer, and then another forced a pause as she leaned through it. But she managed her way to the unit with just one more. Alana was shown to her room where she made a beeline for the bathroom. And we heard a loud splash a few seconds later. Her water had broken and Alana emerged feeling a lot more pressure. Alana crawled upon the bed while her nurse strapped the monitor around her belly for the NST as Alana felt the urge to bear down. The midwife showed up at that precise moment and confirmed that Alana was fully dilated at 7:55 pm! (It was quite clear though, even without an exam.)

Alana moved from hands and knees to side-lying and immediately began to push. And she brought her baby into the world in just a few contractions. Archie Lee was born at 8:10 pm and shortly after, Matt declared, “It’s a boy!” He embraced Alana and their new baby boy as the oxytocin, the awe, and the sheer exhilaration of birth to wash over them. Archie drifted off to a cat nap initially but perked up and latched by 8:30. He apparently just needed a few moments to acclimate being born. He weighed 8 lb. 5.8 oz. and measured 21.25 in. long.

Alana moved from hands and knees to side-lying and immediately began to push. And she brought her baby into the world in just a few contractions. Archie Lee was born at 8:10 pm and shortly after, Matt declared, “It’s a boy!” He embraced Alana and their new baby boy as the oxytocin, the awe, and the sheer exhilaration of birth to wash over them. Archie drifted off to a cat nap initially but perked up and latched by 8:30. He apparently just needed a few moments to acclimate being born. He weighed 8 lb. 5.8 oz. and measured 21.25 in. long.

It’s births like Archie’s that illustrate the true meaning of perfect timing. Alana’s parents arrived immediately after I did, literally following my car down their street, freeing up Alana and Matt to make a speedy exit. Alana labored so long at home she managed to sidestep some hospital procedures she just assumed skip anyway, which had been her plan all along. She basically walked in and had a baby and as I recall we had a conversation at her prenatal meeting about how that would be ideal. And let’s not forget that Archie happened to be born within 12 hours of when Alana was to report to the hospital for her induction! She was resolute and determined, as I have always known her to be. But she was also patient as she waited for her baby to choose whether he would come on his own or need a little nudge. And in a confusing time with visitor restrictions, social distancing and masks, it was extra special to witness such beauty and normalcy through birth—for birth has not changed. Alana’s body labored the same as it would have, pandemic or not. And I am grateful for the reassurance that certainty brings.

What a journey it has been to serve this couple into parenthood! Their most recent birth was my fourth time as their doula, and their fifth child. As repeat clients, we spent equal time at the prenatal visit discussing birth preferences and circumstances, as well as catching up on each other’s’ kids and lives. Jessica had chosen to birth with the same midwifery group that had taken such wonderful care of her several times before. But since every pregnancy and birth are different, this time Jessica had some blood pressure issues that had her providers recommending induction. This was new and different and would be her first time induced as well as the first baby to arrive early (at 39 weeks). Her other babies had all been born past their due dates. We knew this birth would be an adventure unlike any of the others. And given Jessica’s history with short active labors, I wanted to be by her side earlier rather than later in the induction process.

 I received updates from the start. Things began with a balloon and a low dose of pitocin. Jessica was 1 cm dilated so there was prep work to do before full-on labor. It was a busy night on the unit, so it took several hours to get the pitocin going. But it began flowing in her i.v. around 3:15 am. Within an hour, Jessica felt a difference as the contractions wrapped around from her back to her front. Then at 6:45 am the balloon fell out and she was dilated 6 cm and 60% effaced. Jeff went home to help get the kids off to school while I gathered my things and headed to the hospital. Once everyone was assembled, the midwife broke Jessica’s water to see if that might begin the process. Pitocin was maintained at a low dose so we all hoped (and half expected) that Jessica’s uterus would take off into labor with little prodding. We got creative with positioning the monitor on the baby, while Jessica moved into various positions to encourage his descent upon her cervix. We used counter pressure (aka tennis balls in a sock), and essential oils, not to mention very intentional labor positions (aka the lunge!). But 6 hours later Jessica’s cervix was still at 6 cm dilation. The process had been held up literally by her baby’s hand by his head! So the doctor was able to move the hand aside in the hopes that it would salvage her vaginal birth. His heart rate had been dropping as well, sometimes alarmingly, so a c-section was not off the table. The hand was moved at 3:50 pm and we waited and hoped.

The pitocin was incrementally raised, as Jessica breathed through growing contractions. By 5:35 pm she was dilated 7 cm, finally breaking the seal of 6 cm at which she had been sitting for most of the day. Soon after that, Jessica began the shakes of transition as her labor overtook her. A particularly well-versed nurse became a huge help in shuffling Jessica through a variety of labor positions—upright throne, side-lying with the peanut ball, being some. Then suddenly, Jessica felt immense pressure in her bottom, so in an attempt to bring some relief, her nurse assisted in shifting her over to the other side. But during the shift, her baby dropped down prompting Jessica to say, “He’s coming” as her body involuntarily bore down. The nurse yanked the emergency cord sending the OB, midwife, and several nurses running. 

Jessica’s baby was indeed right there, and pretty much as soon as the midwife got her gloves on and leaned in, baby Trager was born at 6:37 pm. That was just over 90 minutes after her hand was moved away from his face! Jessica and Jeff cooed and drank in every part of their newest baby, giving him every bit as much awe and wonder as they did their first, second, third, and fourth. Trager weighed 6 lb. 11 oz. and measured 20 in. long. And he latched easily shortly after birth. Once she was settled with Trager at the breast, Jeff left to grab some dinner for Jessica. Their partnership is a lovely thing to watch. In labor, or in their daily life. It’s a well-oiled machine. Five sweet children have oiled that machine! Jessica always inspires me with her patience and intuitive wisdom. She listens to her body. She stays cool and doesn’t get riled. And Jeff is as steadfast a partner as they come. Thank you for the honor of serving your family again! And thank you for the reminder that every baby has their own birth story, no matter how many babies have come before them.

First FaceTime to met adoring big siblings!

Anelisa and AJ are parents! They welcomed their son, Layton Grey on 10-10-20, a really neat sequence of digits for a birthday, don’t you think? They also happened to be students in my summer 8-week BirthWorks series. Anelisa felt contractions off and on and practiced discipline in minimizing and ignoring them, although she was still quite excited and ready to meet her baby. Her cervix did some preparing ahead of time, dilated to 2 cm at her 38-week appointment, and she left that day wondering if she would make it to her next appointment. Well, although she had an eventful week of contractions and suspected water leaking, she left her 39-week appointment dilated 2.5 cm and 80% effaced. Her doctor predicted the baby would come in the next couple of days but I always hesitant to jump on board with such predictions as they often leave expectant moms frustrated and disappointed when they aren’t true. But Anelisa maintained a laidback attitude and knew her baby would come at his right time. And it just so happened that her doctor was right…

About 24 hours later, on Oct. 10 she sent a text telling me she was having regular contractions at the 7-minute interval, not quite a minute long. She put in a few hours at work that morning, and with the opportunity to really tune in to her body, she had a strong inkling it was the real deal. And 2 hours later, at 4:30 pm, Anelisa and AJ were ready for me to head to their home for labor support! I arrived to find Anelisa draped over the birth ball breathing calmly through contractions. She was chatting in between and handling things well. She was definitely laboring. And over the course of those two hours together in their home, Anelisa’s demeanor changed from a chipper chatty one, to a concerned and serious one. With strong contractions every 3 minutes, lasting about 70 seconds, we were out the door and at the hospital by 8:00 pm. And Anelisa was dilated 5 cm and so relieved to know she had made good change! Once in her room, her thoughts moved towards an epidural. “I’m pretty sure that’s what I want.” She continued to breathe calmly through contractions that were demanding more of her than they did at home. And trying to labor on the monitor in bed can make the idea of an unmedicated birth seem much harder to execute. Her nurse made a call, but the CRNA was not available right away so the shower became the plan. We were also aware of Anelisa’s goal of an unmedicated labor and knew the shower would be a good place to continue her progress.

An hour in the shower was magic! Anelisa worked harder but felt relief from the warm water. And as she relaxed, she vocalized louder and deeper, expressing in her voice the changes happening within. She felt increased pressure and then we heard a splash (while she was in the shower, mind you)! Anelisa’s water had broken and the pressure that followed was a whole different level. She soon got out of the shower and was dilated 8 cm. She labored on her side and hands and knees, positions she moved into instinctively, and was fully dilated just 20 minutes later. The doctor was immensely supportive, allowing Anelisa to push in positions that felt best, with no counting or directing. And after just 30 minutes of pushing, she welcomed her son at 10:54 pm. Layton Grey weighed 7 lb. 11.2 oz. and was 20 in. long and had a full head of brown hair. The love overflowed as Anelisa and AJ looked with wonder into their son’s eyes and took in his features. They had done it! And they had done it so well. Anelisa didn’t get drawn into her labor too soon, conserving her physical and emotional energy so she had what she needed for later. She listened to her body and labored in ways that felt best, surrounded in loving support from start to finish. Thank you for the honor of serving your sweet family as it grew from two to three.

Candace and Jacob, welcomed their second child, Madeline Isabelle, on September 14! It felt like yesterday when I had attended the birth of their fistborn. Well, I guess in a way it had only a short time earlier, given how closely spaced their babies are. This was a clue from the start that Candace’s uterus would be up for the task and jump right back into the job of labor with little warning. This baby would come quickly, no doubt. The biggest challenge would be getting out the door in time with the logistical details of making sure big sister was taken care of. There were some big changes that occurred on the early side of this pregnancy. Candace’s midwives switched hospitals, they moved into a new house, and last but certainly not least, a pandemic swept the globe leaving hospitals and pregnant women confused and worried about how things would play out. But all in all, Candace and Jacob seemed to ride the tides of uncertainty with a grounded perspective and this would prove to be their greatest asset in labor.

Candace’s first labor was intense from the start, due to a membrane sweep that got her cervix all reactive with strong contractions that rivaled very active labor (but that weren’t). She was familiar with minimizing and ignoring, so when she first felt rhythmic contractions she shrugged them off. She texted me at 12:21 am on September 14 to tell me she “thought” she was having contractions, not even that she thought she was in labor. So she was draped over the birth ball as she waited to see if it was anything. I reminded her to hydrate and rest and if she felt strong contractions to get details in place so she could leave for the hospital. This was a second baby after all, and they have a way of coming quickly when they come. At 1:55 am another text came through telling me the midwife recommended she head in since she would need antibiotics. Her contractions were coming at a steady clip of 2-3 minutes, although not really taking her breath away yet. They followed the recommendation of the midwife and loaded in the car for the 25-minute drive to the hospital.

I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to head in so I texted to ask. With no response I just got in my car to meet them there. I was en route when I got the text at 2:36 am that she was feeling intense pelvic pressure. I was driving at the time and 10 minutes later right as I parked the car at the hospital, Jacob called to tell me Candace was just admitted and checked and dilated 8 cm. I could hear Candace in the background and she was much changed from when we had last communicated on the way to the hospital. Oh my word, I had to hurry! I ran to the main entrance to the hospital. Then waited to be let in by security. I ran upstairs to the unit and then waited to be admitted and given the bracelet granting me access to Candace’s room. Then I ran down the hall to her room (yes, all the way down the hall, it was so far!), knocked, opened the door right as the midwife was handing Madeline to Candace! I put down my things and rushed to Candace’s side.

Madeline was born at 2:48 am, 3 minutes after Jacob called me to tell me Candace was 8 cm. It was a whirlwind of a labor that had Candace clutching her baby with Jacob by her side, both with startled and joy-filled expressions on their faces. From start to finish this labor was not even 2 ½ hours long, and that is counting from the very first contraction when Candace was trying to figure out if she was having real contractions. Recalling the details of those first minutes, Candace had just gotten on the bed to be monitored laying on her side when her water broke. Laying down was intolerable to her at that point so she instinctively rolled over to her hands and knees and felt the urge to push. She pushed twice and Madeline entered the world. Jacob was able to look and see his baby’s head as it was emerging too. And Candace proved her midwife’s prediction made minutes prior during the exam. She said, “The good news is you’re going to have this baby in 10-15 minutes.” But in reality she had her baby in less than 5 minutes! Madeline weighed 7 lb. 13.4 oz. and measured 20 in. long. She had a head full of dark hair with dark eye brows to match, just like her mom. 

While her nurse worked on getting her admitted simultaneously while doing all of the immediate postpartum tasks, Candace and Jacob reveled in the birth and began talking through how they could be discharged as soon as possible. Yes, they were definitely veteran parents. A year of parenting had done them good! Shorter births are no less challenging. Many would say they are more difficult because so much is compressed in a short time. But Candace was a rock star as she labored, never taking things more seriously than necessary, and always getting the work done. I loved how her birth washed over her and left her wondering what happened. I love that her labor was fast and furious and she was grateful for it. I love that Jacob was beside her the whole way through, encouraging and rejoicing in the wonder of seeing his child being born. Women amaze me. And birth humbles me. I’m so grateful to have been there, even if it was right after.

Madeline now