I’m so pleased to announce the Rachel and Jason have welcomed their second daughter, Quinn Hawley. Rachel had a long and involved first birth and hoped things might be different the second time around. After all, every birth is unique and offers the same clean slate as a first birth. She did make some changes to her preparation, however. She enrolled in my refresher class, enlisted care with a chiropractor, and hired me as her doula. We were in communication off and on after appointments, and we had our prenatal visit and discussed logistics and Rachel’s birth preferences. It was a nice chance to reconnect and to meet Jason! (Thank you, Covid.) And after that, we were left to simply wait and see.

Rachel’s cervix made some gradual changes leading up to the birth. She was dilated 1 cm at 39-weeks and she felt pain in her hips as her body got ready. She incorporated the Miles Circuit into her routine in the hopes her baby would have the benefit of optimizing her position for birth. But ultimately it would be up to Rachel’s baby what she wanted to do. And on February 25, around 4:00 pm, Rachel texted to tell me she had felt the rhythmic cramp of contractions every 7 minutes for about 4 hours. They were mild enough to minimize and mostly ignore, but she did have to breathe and focus through them. By 8:00 that evening they were a little closer and a little stronger, so she labored in the shower for the second time to help her relax. 

Things continued to intensify through the night until at 12:10 am her water broke. And the contractions jumped to 3 minutes apart just 20 minutes later. With the contractions very strong, Rachel and Jason left for the hospital shortly thereafter. Rachel had done some work at home because her cervix was dilated to 7 cm upon arrival. Things appeared to be moving right along and we thought there might be a baby before sunrise.

After her initial stint on the monitor, Rachel went straight to the shower to labor. She sounded through her contractions and we angled the shower to hit her back just so. The pressure intensified in her bottom too. Rachel called the shower a “miracle worker,” she found it so helpful. And she labored in there for over an hour. She had opened to 8/9 cm by shower’s end and her baby was at +1 station. Conditions seemed right for pushing sooner rather than later. Rachel used a squatting bar on the bed to squat into the contractions in the hopes her baby’s head might melt her cervix away. The playlist “Push!!” filled the room with rollicking tunes Rachel had selected for that purpose. And we applied counter pressure to her lower back through each contraction where she felt the most discomfort. 

Rachel used the rebozo to dangle through contractions as well, with the same goal of opening that cervix. And she lunged on her hands and knees through several contractions too. She was doing every single thing to get her baby out, but she was hitting a wall. It was time for some information and to possibly make a change. Her nurse confirmed that there was still cervix and also that her baby was trying to rotate! Rachel labored on her side and pushed a few times that way, but her cervix wasn’t budging. The midwife recommended some Pitocin to give more oomph and Rachel was willing to try. She had been up all night though, and the day was looming large in that moment. So Rachel decided it was a good time for an epidural. And thankfully, unlike her first birth, the CRNA administered it quickly and effectively, providing the relief and relaxation (and rest) that Rachel was counting on.

Two hours later at 9:20 there was the tiniest bit of cervix left. It was stretchy but would not yield to the midwife’s hand. So we rotated Rachel one way and another, incorporating the use of a peanut ball and stirrups to maintain an open pelvis. About two hours later, Rachel felt pressure in her bottom and an exam confirmed that her cervix was completely gone! And after laboring down another 40 minutes she began to push. It wouldn’t be easy, since her baby was determined to be in the OP position. Rachel was no stranger this since her first baby was in the same position and rotated at the very last moment. This baby appeared to be gearing up to do the same thing. But Rachel was game to push on her hands and knees which would prove to help rotation! Baby’s heart rate dipped, which isn’t uncommon during second stage. So an oxygen mask was placed over Rachel’s face to help give her little one a boost. Rachel continued to push in various positions—why stop moving at second stage, right? Her stamina and tenacity did not wane. It was there in full force all the way to the end of her marathon labor. All told, Rachel pushed for just over an hour and her baby was born at 1:18 pm on February 26, 2021 with the cord wrapped around her neck twice. (That would explain some heart rate dips that showed up late in labor.) Welcome to the world, Quinn! She weighed 7 lb. 12 oz. and was 21 in. long. 

Rachel cried at the sight of her daughter – relieved, exhausted, elated, and happy tears! She did it! And she did it without even tearing, which was another huge win for her in comparison to her first experience.  Quinn needed a little bit of stimulation to get that first robust cry and to transition, but she was back in her mom’s arms a few minutes later and was latched at the breast at less than 20 minutes old. And that gave her parents the chance to investigate how she looked like family. She looked like her sister, only different, and she had a hairy back like her great grandpa! 

Rachel’s labor is one that defied our preconceived expectations of second labors. And shame on us for trying to predict what a baby can do! For ultimately, we really have no clue how a birth will unfold. We only grasp at generalities that happen more often than not. When it comes to birth, the most important skill is to be flexible. Rachel exemplified this! She was an expert at dodging and weaving with her birth journey. She took her labor one contraction at a time and was able to labor through another birth experience that took about 24 hours. She is a rock star in my book and she also managed to maintain her sense of humor too. Once again, this is an important mothering skill so Rachel is well equipped with two essential skills. Congrats again on another surprising birth and a beautiful baby! 

If birth teaches us anything, it is that it is ever new. The journey of this couple to meet their second child, was definitely a new experience. Dustene and Jarrod met their son, Nezrah Oliver, on February 17, 2021 in a birth that was about as opposite from their first as it could be. They were students in my childbirth class several years ago in preparation for the birth of their first child. And that labor was a long one, in part due to it being Dustene’s first labor, but even more so because that first baby was positioned in a less than optimal way. It spanned over 24 hours and left her feeling exhausted and needing the rest an epidural could provide. Truth be told, she described it as traumatic, and she hoped for a less anxiety inducing experience this time. She approached her second birth with an open mind knowing sometimes plans change, but also with a hopeful heart in knowing each birth journey is unique. They enrolled in my refresher class to prepare for this journey, which I applauded them for. It can be more challenging to carve aside time to immerse your mind in the upcoming birth when you have a toddler to take care of. Life is busy! But they found the time to commit to reacquainting themselves with the birth process, but also to learn how a second labor is often so different than the first. 

Dustene’s body was gearing up. She felt contractions and her baby dropped in a noticeable way. She felt the stretch of her round ligaments and everything was already so different than her first. Her body was contracting quite often the day or two leading up to labor. Her baby was low which might have been part of it, but she was busy mothering an active toddler as well. Plus, her uterus was gearing up for it had done this labor thing before! 

Then in the evening of February 17, 4 days before her due date, Dustene’s water broke. At least there was some confirmation of a tangible labor event! She called her midwives to let them know and then planned to feel her way through labor at home a bit. But her body had different plans. And so did her baby. Almost immediately, Dustene was breathing through strong and close contractions. They started closer than 3 minutes apart and grew quickly to a minute long. With grandparents at home to watch big sister, they were free to leave when they were ready. And an hour after her water broke, Dustene and Jarrod were on the way to the hospital.

I met them there and could tell that Dustene was much changed. She had the demeanor of a woman deep in labor, even though it hadn’t yet been 90 minutes since her water broke. She rode a wheelchair since the prospect of the walk was too much. And in hindsight she might have given birth on the way up! Her midwife was waiting for her in the labor and delivery unity, and we were all escorted straight to a room. Dustene got upon the bed immediately for a quick exam and to get a listen to her baby’s heart beat. And her midwife confirmed that she was indeed fully dilated! There was no time for the shower, no time to labor about the room. There was hardly time to listen to the baby and certainly no time to sign consents.

 Instead, Dustene rolled over to her hands and knees where she felt most comfortable and strong and she immediately began to follow her body’s instinct to push. It didn’t take long before her baby’s head was visible. Baby’s head was born and Dustene opened her right leg into a lunge to allow her baby’s shoulders to come. He was a big boy! And Nezrah Oliver was born at 9:10 pm, scarcely 15 minutes after his mom set foot in the room. He was passed through his mom’s legs into her arms. She was in shock at first. How incredible that he was already in her arms! And then she and her husband looked down upon the child that had hurried into their lives after such a wait. And they rejoiced and laughed over the sheer exhilaration of it all. 

Dustene lay back upon the bed and held Nezrah against her chest as it all sank in. He was crying out to show everyone he was breathing well. And we could see by his chunky body that he was a substantial weight. Turns out he weighed 9 lbs. and was 21 in. long! Jarrod cut the cord and the placenta came soon after. And it was shaped like a heart! Nezrah had a head full of hair and he was born alert, taking in the faces and sounds around him. He was latched to the breast that first hour and Dustene and Jarrod marveled over the stark difference between the birth of their son and the birth of their daughter.

I smiled to watch them piece it all together and was so glad to be able to say that I told them so. I hoped and prayed that Dustene would learn the ultimate lesson of birth that every single birth journey is different. And with that comes the opportunity to write a new story and create an association with birth as short and a pleasant surprise, rather than long and traumatic—a completely different sort of surprise. I was honored to see them through this second birth full circle, after journeying with them twice as their educator. Nothing compares to holding the space of a birthing woman. And I will forever be grateful you are a woman who invited me into that space!

The first time I sat with Merrilee I knew we would get along! We covered the gamut in that first “interview”. When I left over two hours later, I felt like we had orchestrated a plan to change the culture of birth. Merrilee definitely had a fire within her and a strong idea for the sort of birth she wanted for herself and her daughter. She believed in her body’s design and she didn’t seem nervous or scared either! This was her first baby but it didn’t seem like it.

We came together rather late in her pregnancy, so we fast forwarded through the prenatal visit a short time later and spoke specifically about her goal of a natural childbirth with as little intervention as possible. She would labor at home for a lot of it and then go to the hospital late in active labor. But even the most committed and prepared birthing women can have a wrench thrown into the plan. And this was certainly Merrilee’s situation. Abnormal blood work following an otherwise normal appointment had her on the fast track to induction. They wanted her to go to the hospital that day but Merrilee advocated for a day’s delay to wrap her head around the drastic change in plans and got enough time to feel ready.

As is the case with most inductions, it was a gradual process. They went in overnight once a bed was available, and the process began with Cytotec. A few hours later a foley bulb was inserted. Merrilee was not dilated initially so they hoped her body would respond with some dilation and a better Bishop’s Score before incorporating Pitocin. She felt “sensations” pretty early on, but they were very manageable. Later that day the bulb was removed and Merrilee’s cervix was dilated to 5 cm and she was 70% effaced. Her water was broken around 5:00 pm in the hope that contractions would naturally stem from that. Merrilee really wanted to avoid Pitocin. She had patient providers who waited with her through the evening and into the night. But after 8 hours with no notable contractions and cervical change, it was time.

Merrilee was a master at minimizing her attention to the contractions. She breathed and remained calm and centered for the large part of her labor. Things picked up in intensity about 3 hours into the Pitocin drip, requiring her to breathe and move with her contractions in a way she hadn’t needed to before. (In fact she had been resting and asleep for much of the evening.) We positioned the bed upright so she sat upon it like a throne. It really helped to have gravity bring her baby down upon her cervix and encourage stronger contractions and more cervical change. The Pitocin was another smart tool as well. Merrilee also labored on the birth ball, swirling her hips and leaning back against her husband for support. And her contractions intensified.

With the new intensity of labor, Merrilee and Braelen moved into the shower where the warm water really helped with relaxation. Merilee labored upright, on hands and knees, always with Braelen right beside her under the water. The closeness did her labor good hormonally too, as the oxytocin washed over her just as the water did, an important complement to the Pitocin. We dimmed the lights and it also gave some privacy, minimizing the need for intrusions to just an occasional quick listen to baby’s heart rate with the doppler.

Once out of the shower, Merrilee used the rebozo to squat and dangle through the transition and she vocalized with such power that we could literally hear her baby moving down to open her fully. Braelen was her steadfast partner, always cheering her on and telling her how incredible and strong she was. He supported her as she squatted into him. I saw his legs shake over the course of that hour, but he stayed strong in solidarity with Merrilee who was the one doing the work. He would comment on that very fact often. Merrilee squatted against the door for an hour and she felt her baby descend to the point of “feeling like I have the poop.”  (If you’ve given birth, you can probably identify with that landmark feeling!) She began her rebozo work at 8:05 am and she was completely dilated by 8:58 am! Merrilee returned to the bed for birth and began pushing on her side at 9:03 am. Her baby’s heart rate dipped, most likely due to second stage and all of that pressure, but with a watchful eye and a light hand on the Pitocin pump, Merrilee was able to push with hardly any of it. (The pump had been turned off and then resumed at the lowest level). Her body had taken off and she was pushing her baby out just fine!

Acelin Amelia was born at 9:34 am on February 15, after just 30 minutes of pushing. (I credit Merrilee’s short second stage to all of the squatting she did with the rebozo, laboring her baby down!) Acelin’s cord was wrapped around her neck, body, and leg so no wonder her heart rate dipped later in labor! It’s not an unfamiliar occurrence and usually doesn’t pose a problem. Acelin had a gorgeous head of hair (like her parents!) and was absolutely adorable. Her daddy wiped away tears at the sight of her and Merrilee’s dimpled smile needed no words. She was over the moon to have her sweet baby girl in her arms at last!

Acelin weighed 7 lb. 3 oz. and measured 20 in. long. She came into the world by way of her determined and dedicated mom, who dug deep within herself to find the strength and commitment to continue her plan of an unmedicated birth, even in the face of an induction. While there is no way to know how a birth will play out, I can assure you that Merrilee’s mindset and her husband’s unwavering support, not to mention her patient and flexible nurses and providers, made all the difference. Her doctor was intrigued by the rebozo and was even talking through ways to incorporate their use from the ceiling in that particular hospital. Merrilee’s birth may very well have changed some thinking for some birth workers. And I know that would make her so proud! Congratulations to this couple on the arrival of their daughter and the journey of becoming not only parents, but advocates, more committed partners than ever, and ambassadors for better birth options. I’m so honored to have been part of your team!

Shelby and Ryan welcomed their second child, Jeffery Clay, on February 4, 2021. (Fun fact: He was the third birth I attended on that exact day. It was a record-breaking doula day for me!) After giving birth the first time, Shelby realized what she valued in her birth experience and what she would want to do differently. Shelby prepared her mindset by reading many books that reinforced her goal for an unmedicated childbirth, and she took the advice of her labor and delivery nurse friend, and set up an interview with a doula. (I was the lucky doula she met.) And we soon began our client/doula partnership.

Shelby sent me a text just before 8:00 pm on February 4. She knew I had been up the previous night at a birth and then attended another one right after, so she held off texting me until she was pretty certain she was in labor. The first text came through at 7:51 pm explaining some signs she had been seeing and feeling. She developed contractions low in her groin that incorporated her entire uterus. And she was trying to decipher if they were labor contractions or perhaps her uterine response to a membrane sweep that had occurred at her appointment earlier that day. Then two minutes later she texted to say that she was 99% sure her water JUST broke. She called and spoke with her midwife and with contractions already coming 5 minutes apart and getting stronger, they left for the hospital within the hour. We decided to meet there and go in on the “early” side (so we thought), to allow Shelby time and space to settle in and labor.

We arrived at virtually the same time and were able to walk in together, all three of us. Shelby was triaged and breathed and swayed with Ryan through intensifying contractions. She declined an exam since she was dilated 4 cm at her appointment the previous day and her water had broken. Shelby also sang through her contractions until she was no longer able to, which was around 10:30. Over the course of an hour in triage where she got an iv setup for antibiotics, spent some time on the monitor, answered all of the admission questions, and also breathed through contractions, and finally got an exam by her midwife, Shelby was dilated 7 cm! 

Her labor had definitely taken off like a shot and she felt her son’s head deep in her pelvis with each contraction. There wouldn’t be time to use the shower like we had discussed. Instead Shelby was staying in the moment coping with one strong contraction at a time. After laying in the bed for the monitoring, she took a trip to the bathroom, and then we moved the bed into the shape of a throne for a more upright labor position. Shelby leaned forward with each contraction and felt immense pressure down low. We put cold wet washcloths on her forehead and neck as her body heated up with the work of labor. 

Shelby moved to her hands and knees upon the throne bed and that’s where her baby really moved down. Ryan used a rebozo to lift Shelby’s belly, providing some relief from the intense pressure. And something about that position and where Shelby was in her labor made for a perfect combination to send her headlong through transition. She vocalized with her contractions and with no time to even fetch the squat bar she requested, Shelby crawled higher in the bed and labored sitting in a semi-squat on the bed through her contractions. She breathed in some peppermint essential oil to stave of the waves of nausea rode in on transition. And in no time it was clear that she was about to have a baby and her midwife needed to get dispatched quickly.

Shelby was involuntarily pushing and it didn’t take long. She cried out her power as she brought her baby down, and she even reached down to feel his head for herself. That only motivated her to push again and when she did his head was crowning. Shelby paused and blew out air as her baby crowned and it would be the reason she didn’t tear too. She pushed as her midwife encouraged her, and after his head was out the rest of his body came into the world. Jeffery Clay was born at 11:29 pm in the unmedicated birth his mom had been hoping for and prepared for. Her face was the picture of such joy! She cried and then she was elated, exclaiming, “I can’t believe I did it!” So much emotion was felt by both Shelby and Ryan as they took in the details of their son. They even noticed that he had a flattened nose like his big sister did, the result of a baby whose face is squished up against the uterine wall for a long time. Clay weighed 8 lb. 2.6 oz. and measured 20 ½ in. long. But they wouldn’t know those details until after the magic hour was over.

Clay was latched to his mom’s breast not long after birth, and Shelby coasted on the euphoria of the oxytocin as she tried to remember the timeline of her labor. It’s a difficult thing to do in the midst of that hormonal haze whose purpose is to dull the details and heighten awareness for bonding, so we helped. All told, Shelby was in active labor a total of maybe 4 hours. It’s really quite remarkable and encouraging how different each labor can be. And sometimes when it goes the way this one did, it has mom already thinking of her next birth! I was so proud of Shelby and honored to be there to stand beside her as she realized her strength. I knew she could do it!

Brooke and Ben welcomed their son, Braxton Asher, on February 4, 2021 at 12:32 pm. When they woke up the previous morning, I don’t think they expected to head to the hospital. After all, Brooke was only 35 weeks that day, and things had seemed to be going well. But Brooke had some blurry vision and after an NST and some tests, she was admitted for induction. Her blood pressure skyrocketed and it became clear that Brooke was safer not pregnant and Braxton was far enough along to have what he needed. We hadn’t yet had our prenatal visit but at least they had finished their refresher childbirth class. The plan was to update as there was news. But that was the kicker. There wasn’t much happening for a while. Brooke’s cervix was doing its job well. It wasn’t time to open for a baby just yet. Her past pregnancies had gone beyond her due date so this was a big shift, to say the least. Brooke took it in stride and accepted that it was the safest course.

They moved quickly after making the decision to induce. In no time Brooke was on magnesium and had a foley catheter in her cervix. She was counseled to get an epidural but she desired to avoid it. This would be the first birth without one and she really wanted to keep with her plans. This would also be her second VBAC for which everyone was thankful. At least that was less of a risk than had it been her first VBAC. Her scar had already withstood the contractions of labor and birth.

By 3:30 pm Pitocin had begun to flow. And it continued that way for many hours, getting bumped up incrementally as Brooke waited for contractions. The foley bulb was removed and contractions came at a steady 4-minute interval, although Brooke hardly felt them. The biggest challenge in those hours was not getting overly frustrated with the many cords attached to the outside and inside of her body. And when she moved the monitor would lose contact with her baby’s heart rate, sending her nurse in to push and adjust the belt and monitor until the baby’s heart rhythm was once again detected. The waiting hours of an induction are the longest. And with no food and little to distract her, by the middle of the night Brooke had hit a wall. She was over it—tired of being tethered, wanting to eat, impatient with her lack of contractions, and desperate for the sleep that never came. She was in a difficult place. 

With the sunrise came a new day and a new attitude. The day staff came on, bringing a new nurse and I arrived at bedside to ride it out alongside Brooke and Ben. The Pitocin was at 24 mu/min, which was quite high, but Brooke remained unchallenged by the contractions. She had been dilated 5-6 cm at her previous exam and laying on her left side with a peanut ball between her legs. She was trying to be restful even if she couldn’t sleep. But she was ready to be more active. 

I recommended Brooke move to her hands and knees over the head of the bed. She labored that way for about 45 minutes, using gravity to her advantage. Squatting seemed the next place to go as the Pitocin continued to get bumped up. Brooke’s nurse fetched a squatting bar for us and Brooke got busy. She grabbed the top of the bar and squatted through each contraction, sitting back upon the bed in between. She squatted quite low, hoping her open pelvis would encourage her little boy to find a lower space that might bring on some labor.

And then we saw it. After about an hour of squatting, Brooke changed. She vocalized more with each contraction and she was spending more time in recovery between. It had been many hours since her last cervical exam so the doctor came in to see where she was at. Brooke’s cervix had also turned a corner. It was dilated 7 cm, 90% effaced, and her baby was at -1 station. That effacement was the biggest news of all for it meant that her cervix would melt away with less effort than getting to 7 cm had taken. And sure enough, within minutes of the doctor stepping out, Brooke exclaimed, “There’s an incredible ring of pain!” 

The next doctor on shift came in right away and it was clear that a baby was coming. The room quickly filled with people, especially since Braxton was only 35 weeks, but the doctor did the most wonderful thing. She squatted at the base of the bed, right there at Brooke’s feet for she was also squatting. And she told her to keep doing what she was doing and that she would be right there. I saw her cradle the baby’s head as it emerged and in just a contraction or two Braxton Asher was born at 12:32 pm! And he weighed 5 lb. 8 oz. and measured 19 in. long. 

He was rubbed and suctioned in an effort to bring out a cry or two. And he was then passed into his mother’s waiting arms. She had waited much longer than she expected to considering he came earlier than she had planned. She kissed him and Ben had his hand on Brooke through it all as they took in their newest son. Once the cord had stopped pulsing and Ben cut it, Braxton was taken to the warmer for a little more attention. It was determined that he would need additional support in the NICU so Brooke and Ben waved their son off as he traveled in his fancy box.

Minutes later there was good news. Braxton had figured out breathing and would be in the observation nursery instead of the NICU with the plan to return to his parents in 24 hours. This was not the same as never being separated at all, but Brooke knew full well that a 24-hour separation was not nearly what it might have been. Thankful for improved health and blood pressures, and for the simpler recovery that comes with a birth without pain medications, Brooke felt really good immediately after delivery. We would touch base a day later and she maintained her position that natural birth was a completely different recovery and she was grateful for that. 

Birth comes in many shapes and forms. But in the end, the journey to meet our babies is less about how they came into the world and more about how we were treated during the process. Brooke’s birth journey was a triumphant one in which she found her voice and her options and a provider who was respectful and patient. Congratulations on your unique journey!

Ashley and Wade welcomed their second beautiful baby girl, Jolene Renee on February 4, 2021. This birth was so different from the first, and believe it or not, was a bit more challenging for a few reasons. The biggest difference was the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Initially, we weren’t even sure whether I would be providing doula services virtually or in-person. Thankfully, by the time Ashley was nearing full-term, doulas had been reinstated at her hospital as part of the birth team, not a visitor. This provided great relief to all of us. We had our prenatal visit, as is customary, and Ashley and Wade explained their rock-solid plan for big sister’s care during the birth. Grandma would be on an extended visit with them as the due date approached. Believe me, this alone helps to alleviate a huge potential stressor, and would allow Ashley to let go more easily for labor.

Still, she had weekly membrane sweeps at the end since that seemed to work for her first labor. But this baby was different and those sweeps didn’t get things going as soon as expected. In fact, Ashley remained pregnant a bit longer than her first pregnancy, making gradual movements toward labor in those final weeks. She was 1 cm dilated at 30 weeks, then 2 cm dilated on her due date. Ashley felt minor contractions that started at 2:00 am on her due date. They were erratic but persistent. By 5:20 that evening Ashley knew the contractions were regular but they were far apart at 20 minutes. So continued to ignore them and went along with her regular evening routine.

And just past 1:00 am everything had changed. Ashley’s contractions were not yet a minute long but they were very strong, requiring her full attention. They continued to intensify to just 2 minutes apart. And while they were still short, their intensity was enough to have Wade and Ashley head to the hospital. After her initial triage, she was confirmed 4 cm dilated. And while this was not as much as she had hoped, her first birth experience was a lesson in “ignore the numbers” since she zoomed from 4 cm to baby in a very short time.

 Some i.v. fluids came on board to help baby’s heart rate stabilize and it appeared to work. Wade did belly lifts to relieve Ashley of lower abdominal pressure as her baby worked to find her place in the pelvis. Something was a bit off in baby’s position since Ashley’s labor had been so protracted and erratic. So we encouraged Ashley into some positions that might help. Labor picked up quickly after arriving at the hospital, and Ashley was quickly drawn deeply into focus and listening to her body and intuition. And by 4:45 am she was dilated 5-6 cm, 70% effaced, and her baby’s head was still high at -2 station. 

And not thirty minutes later, Ashley’s body began to shake—a normal sign of the hard work and muscle fatigue that come with labor, but also a sign of transition. She thought her baby was coming soon and wanted an exam an hour after her previous one. She learned she was 6 cm and 90% effaced and it was not what she was hoping to hear. But Ashley forged ahead. And you know what she did? She lunged. She didn’t like it but she did it anyway! We thought it might encourage her sweet baby to rotate too.

But she had hit her wall and was ready for a change. Ashley asked her midwife to break her water. Yes, her midwife ended up coming on duty right as Ashley entered transition! She had her water broken at 7:00 am and her cervix opened rapidly from 8 cm to 9 cm. And with the very next contraction after that, Ashley was pushing! She pushed with such strength that she brought her baby down lightning fast. We watched as Jolene rotated one way and then the other, and got herself situated out of the OP position at the very last second! She came barreling into the midwife’s hands at 7:11 am on February 4, 2021! And she weighed 8 lb. and measured 20 in. long.

Ashley welcomed her second daughter like her first, in a birth free of pain medications. But so much of it was different! Her baby’s position likely delayed the onset of her labor and when it did, it made it take even longer. Then when the conditions were right, her body moved quickly to bring Jolene into the world, just as a veteran pelvis is known to do. Ashley hit a wall or two, and looking back she is still amazed she was able to do it, considering the added challenges she had this time. But we always knew she could. And in her wavering moments, Wade was her champion, speaking encouragement and strength to her without fail. And always having her back, literally and metaphorically. 

 Welcome to the world, Jolene Renee! May you always celebrate your birthday with a free Slurpee from 7-Eleven! And be sure your mom gets one too, why don’t ya. She certainly deserves it!!

In the midst of a pandemic, when things are just so crazy, and extra restrictive protocols exist, it’s inspiring to see a woman transcend the baggage of the present moment, or even the past, and meet her baby in her chosen way. Introducing sweet Amara Forrest and her strong mom, Hannah. We met many months prior and Hannah made her goals clear to me about wanting as natural a birth as possible. She also explained that her birth partner would not be the father of her baby, but rather her best friend. We got to know each other over the 8-week childbirth education series I taught, and we suddenly found ourselves on Hannah’s due date.

Now ordinarily that doesn’t mean much. But I should have known. At 5:12 the morning of her due date, January 12, Hannah texted to tell me she was having waves on a regular time cycle. They were getting longer and closer and felt quite different than the Braxton Hicks she was accustomed to. Rest and hydration was the plan and she would update with news. Turns out Hannah had a challenging morning. She was vomiting often and having a hard time even keeping fluids down. Her friend, Rosey had made red raspberry leaf ice chips but that was the only thing Hannah could take in. Her contractions were coming 3 minutes apart and lasting more than a minute. So with an hour-long drive they thought it best to head to the hospital around 11:00 that morning.

Just past noon they arrived. And after going through the initial questioning, Hannah was checked and confirmed to be dilated 3 cm. But she definitely wasn’t acting like it! Her midwife suspected she was dehydrated so she recommended a bag of fluids to see if it helped her contractions to be more effective. Hannah and Rosey labored in triage for three hours. Apparently it was a very popular day for babies to be born. But some wonderful things happened over those hours. Hannah labored in positions that felt most intuitive to her, and as her contractions escalataed she met them with vocalizations. Then when she suspected a gush that might be her water breaking they summoned the nurse. Hannah was 7 cm dilated and would finally be admitted to a room! The bag of fluids definitely did the trick.

Once in her room, Hannah headed right for the shower, knowing the water would bring some relief and help her to stay loose and open through the intensity of her contractions. She continued to vocalize in the shower as Rosey and I encouraged her and spoke strength to her. Hannah was working hard and though she never wavered, she was definitely in unchartered territory. She blew through the pressure she was feeling so as not to push. Then she felt some stinging and reached down to feel what she thought was her baby’s head. It wasn’t, it was her bag of water. But her baby was not far behind.

Hannah made her way out of the shower and back onto the bed to see if it might be time to have a baby. She felt a whole lot of pressure, after all. And sure enough, Hannah was fully dilated and her water broke during the exam as if to punctuate the discovery. She rolled over to her hands and knees and pushed in a kneel before leaning over the birth ball to push the couple of contractions that remained. Hannah pushed her baby out so quickly, even her midwife didn’t expect it. She had stepped out briefly and in that short time (one contraction!) Hannah brought her baby’s head down to her perineum. The nurse came in to cup her hand in protection, and another push brough the head and the baby’s body right as the midwife returned. Amara Forrest entered the world calmly and quietly, giving her nurse her first catch! Hannah pushed through only a couple of contractions before welcoming her baby at 3:39 pm on January 12, 2021.

Hannah was in awe and wonder as she looked upon her daughter, and then the emotions flowed with the tears. “She’s so beautiful!” fell from Hannah and Rosey’s mouths. Hannah lay down upon the bed and cradled her Amara with such joy and tenderness. Her instincts kicked in and she longed to bring her baby to her breast as soon as possible. Her placenta came in time, shaped like a heart, but there were some complications that would require some assistance postpartum.

But in the meantime, Amara nursed for 25 minutes straight and her mom fell deeply in love with her and became a doting mother in an instant. She and Rosey were a beautiful partnership in labor and to see them was reminiscent of the days when women always birthed with women by their side. Amara weighed a chunky 8 lb. 4 oz. and was 21 ¼ in. long. She had such a thick neck roll I would have guessed she weighed 9 lb. for sure!

Leaving this birth had me feeling hopeful in some ways, as I saw my client rise above the medical constraints that are endemic to the hospital setting during a pandemic. I also saw her triumph through a challenging separation from her birth team in triage, finding her way one contraction at a time with virtual doula support in the interim. It was not ideal, to be completely honest, but in these crazy times, we were all grateful to have been connected and ultimately reunited for the most trying part of the birth. I am so thankful for being invited into a sacred space and for being reminded of the autonomy and strength that resides in every birthing woman if she is given the opportunity to express it. And thank you for my first ever doula baby to share my first name!

Katie and George got the best present just in time for Christmas when their son, Henry was born on December 23, 2020. But boy, did he make his mom work for it! (And if you ask her, I’m sure she would say it was worth it.) Katie’s due date was Dec. 17 so the topic of induction had been broached with her providers. Her cervix hadn’t really dilated much, but it was thinning in preparation. Thankfully, Katie sensed the contractions of labor before the anticipated induction. It was Sunday December 20. But the contractions were erratic and surprisingly strong from the start. She was up most of the night with them, breathing deeply, and moving through positions that helped her to cope. And by 5:30 the next morning, they were still 6 minutes apart, although longer and stronger. Katie was nauseous and shaky too. I suspected baby’s position was not optimal, which would explain her erratic contractions that weren’t moving closer. She spent some time doing the Miles Circuit at home. 

They spent the whole day together, navigating the confusing waters of early labor. George made sure Katie ate and was hydrated while Katie moved into a variety of positions that helped her to manage the discomfort of the contractions. She even did multiple rounds of the Miles Circuit, which helped to move her contractions longer and closer. By 9:30 that night they felt it was time to head to the hospital so we met up there.

Katie was dilated 2 cm. But she was not laboring as if she were 2 cm. She was nauseous and shaking and exhibiting signs of a woman much more advanced in labor. Surely her baby’s position would be the explanation for her erratic and confusing labor. Not to blame the baby, but kind of yes! We labored together all night long, cycling through every position I could think of to help her baby to make the necessary adjustments to move lower into the pelvis. And Katie did it ALL. (And so did George!) But by sunrise, Katie was exhausted. And her cervix was only modestly changed to 3 cm. It was time to do something to insure she get rest. It was time for an epidural. 

And while Katie was comfortable and resting, we continued to help her cycle through several positions. And her cervix responded gradually with some Pitocin. She went from 3 cm at 6:30 am to 5cm at 4:20 pm, and then 6 ½-7 cm by 10:00 pm. But her baby was not so sure about the Pitocin, responding with heart rate decelerations that were concerning enough to halt the Pitocin and restart after a long recovery break. And that’s how the second hospital night went (third night of contractions for Katie). Then it happened! Katie was fully dilated! It was time to start pushing and so she did. But with every single push, Henry’s heart rate dipped to a concerning level. And in spite of so much time and patience, and doing “all of the things”, Henry would need to enter the world in a different way. A dialogue with her doctor helped everyone to come to terms with the change in plans. Katie and George would meet their son in the OR via a c-section.  So much of what they imagined for the birth had been washed away by their baby’s needs. But Katie and George remained focused on what was best for their son, and what joy awaited them in a very short time!

Henry was born at 7:18 am on December 23, 2020, a healthy and strong baby boy! Katie held her son skin to skin in the OR and her heart was full. With George by her side, they took in the features of their son, a stranger, yet someone so familiar. In their 3-day long journey, Katie and George demonstrated the depths that parents sometimes must go to, the hard work that is necessary, and the immense overwhelming love that is felt even after such a complicated and winding road. My heart swells for them and the new chapter they have opened. Welcome to the adventure called parenting!

Nicole and Barry welcomed their third child, Silas Asher, on January 8, 2021. Nicole had experienced epidurals with her first two births but wanted to try for a different experience this time. She desired to feel her body’s cues, particularly during second stage so as to facilitate the pushing progress by listening more to her body and less to other people’s voices. Her body did some early ripening in preparation for birth, dilating 2 cm and 50% effacement by 37-weeks. Then a week later she was a “loose 3 cm”, so taking baby steps towards birth, no pun intended. And to make things a bit more exciting and confusing, she was up in the night with contractions off and on that eventually dissipated. Her uterus was busy doing things, just not yet going into labor.

Then nearly a week later Nicole was having regular contractions that were steady at 5 minutes apart. It was a sensible time to head to the hospital so Nicole could labor without the children underfoot. She knew she would be more able to tune into her body knowing her kids were taken care of. Nicole and Barry were in the car by 6:00 am and contractions had moved closer to 3-4 minutes apart. Nicole was dilated 5-6 cm and admitted. It happened to be shift change but Barry’s stern advocacy for his wife helped speed the process of moving to a room by 7:15.

Nicole labored about the room in positions that felt right to her. She was very calm and instinctive as she labored, and Barry was her constant companion through it all. I remember telling her she was strong and controlled, and she would look up and smile. Between her contractions she was peaceful, not anxious or scared. And this is not often the case when a woman has experienced multiple labors with epidurals. She found a trust and the desire within herself that she could labor through the contractions without pain medications. And she did not let the surges overwhelm her.

Nicole’s water broke on its own at 7:27 am as she sat on the edge of the bed. She told us it had happened, there was no need for anyone to declare it. The puddle gave it away! She felt her contractions intensify soon after and found that leaning over the birth ball upon the bed gave her a sense of power and also happened to be a great position to encourage her baby’s descent to birth. Barry and Nicole locked eyes and their connection was a beautiful part of Nicole’s labor. We placed cold cloths on her forehead and back and she heated them up quickly with her body. But she stayed focused and soon her body signaled that it was time to push.

Nicole labored her baby down and then pushed intentionally with the contractions she felt. Her baby’s heart rate dipped at times, which is not uncommon during the second stage of labor. But he always recovered with variability between. She followed her body and stayed focused. Again, her trust and commitment to her natural birth was astounding, and made even more so by the serenity of her countenance during this birth. Her midwife and OB encouraged her, and Nicole was able to hone in on what her body and baby needed her to do, especially at the end when her baby’s heart rate dipped even more. 

Silas Asher was born at 8:51 am on January 8 and placed in his mother’s waiting arms. Barry was beside himself with pride and joy, and Nicole’s beautiful smile was all we needed to see to know of her bliss. Those postpartum hormones are real and they do mighty work to encourage loving bonding. There was so much love overflowing in that space, such gratitude from everyone just for the privilege of being there, and gratitude from Barry and Nicole to all of us as well. It was a veritable love fest. The nurses and midwife were in awe of how Nicole handled herself in labor. Her confidence and trust in the process and her body were truly remarkable. She was the epitome of serenity. Honest.

Silas weighed 7 lb. 7 oz. and measured 20.5 in. long. But those stats weren’t determined until after the magic hour with his mommy and daddy for snuggling, breastfeeding, and getting to know each other. This birth was another reminder that every birth is new and different, and always presents the opportunity to see beauty in its uniqueness. From start to finish, Nicole was in labor for just 5 hours. With the craziness of a pandemic pervading so much of what we do, I am extremely grateful and hopeful that the simplest yet profound miracle of birth remains a constant. Thank goodness for that mainstay of optimism. New life, new hope, new possibilities, new love.

Lindsey and David welcomed their sweet baby girl, Delilah Moon, on December 18, 2020. Their birth was a great example of how unpredictable birth can be. It always keeps us humble. At a routine prenatal appointment and NST, it was noted that Lindsey’s amniotic fluid levels were low. Since she was already 10 days beyond her due date and had an induction just days away, they felt it best to err on the side of caution and begin induction that evening. Plus, Lindsey’s cervix was still closed so there was some groundwork to be laid.

She was admitted that evening for some cervical ripening overnight on December 16, 2020. A Cook Balloon was inserted along with some low dose Pitocin and Lindsey and David settled in for the night. But Delilah didn’t respond well to the combo as her heart rate fell low. The Pitocin was turned off and the balloon removed and the midwife was very pleased to learn that Lindsey was dilated 5 cm. The plan was for Lindsey to eat a breakfast, monitor the baby and resume Pitocin in an hour. Slow and gradual was the name of the game and the day consisted of increasing Pitocin and gauging baby’s response as to whether to raise it or turn it off. Just after 4:00 that afternoon, Lindsey was dilated 5-6 cm and the midwife broke her water. The hope was that her body would respond with contractions that moved to active labor. Their intensity escalated quickly, and with the Pitocin at 18.0 mu, Lindsey was coping with her strong contractions well. She labored beside the bed, slow danced with David, used a heat pack on her back, and continued to move.

Another bout of decels had the Pitocin turned off again, however. Lindsey was dilated 5 cm and 80% effaced but had not made a lot of cervical change since the morning. Her uterus would need more time, but it was anybody’s guess whether her baby would be able to tolerate labor for a long time. A fetal scalp electrode provide the reassurance of baby’s true heart rate in response to contractions and seemed a good compromise to keep the induction plan moving forward. Lindsey labored upright in the bed, hoping to get gravity to help. The Pitocin was still turned off based on her baby’s prior response to it. And the hope was that she might not even need it. She continued her labor dance drifting through child’s pose, slow dancing, dangling with the rebozo from the squat bar on the bed, and even lunges. And Lindsey’s hard work paid off because she went from 7 cm dilated at 8:20 pm to 8-9 cm dilated just past 10:00! In the throes of transition, Lindsey still found the confidence to say, “This shit is crazy!” followed by “I’m a badass bitch!” And indeed she was!

Hands and knees over the peanut ball provided some back relief and encouraged Delilah’s heart rate to recover from an earlier position that caused another drop. Valor essential oil gave an emotional boost as Lindsey edged toward pushing, and by 11:21 pm she was fully dilated. Her baby remained high at 0 station however, so there was still some work to be done. Lindsey reached out for Davey’s hand, something she did time and time again over the course of her labor. Their connection was a beautiful thing to witness. In the midst of a complicated induction, they were tethered to each other providing ballast through unchartered and choppy waters.

At 12:15 am on December 18, the Pitocin was resumed at a low dose in the hopes it would encourage Lindsey’s baby to move deeper into the pelvis for a vaginal birth. An hour later at 1:30 am and 4.0 mu of Pitocin, Lindsey made the difficult decision to get an epidural. She was exhausted after being up for two nights and laboring through contractions for the whole day, but also to salvage some rest before pushing. But soon afterward, the baby’s heart rate dipped lower and longer than it had before, bringing the OB on call to her room for a conversation. After palpating the baby’s location, he determined that an amnioinfusion might provide enough of a cushion to free up the cord and allow baby more room to fine tune her position for a vaginal. Birth. The plan was to rest, resume Pitocin (again), and then to push.

But then as if in answer to that plan, Delilah’s heart rate dipped again, this time even deeper and longer than the other ones. And the OB looked Lindsey in the face and said very gently that her baby was choosing a different road. There were concerns about the baby’s ability to handle hours of pushing, especially with decels happening that were already so significant. And Lindsey and David agreed that a c-section birth was the safest way to meet their baby. After laboring all day and dilating to 10 cm without pain medication, Lindsey opted for a complete change in plans for the safety of her baby. I have such admiration for moments like that, when a mother has to relinquish control and reframe her birth experience in such a vastly different way than what she had originally envisioned. 

And at 4:29 am on December 18, 2020, Lindsey and Davey met their sweet Delilah at long last. She weighed 6 lb. 12 oz. and measured 21 in. long and was every bit as perfect as they had imagined. And you would think this was where the birth story ends. However, Lindsey took a turn for the worse, and after receiving blood products her vitals weren’t improving. So she was rushed back to the OR for what they initially expected to be a quick fix. But it wasn’t. The doctor discovered some internal lacerations that required swift attention. Lindsey was put under general anesthesia and underwent emergency surgery that lasted several hours. Davey and Delilah had some quality daddy-daughter bonding time, while Lindsey spent the night in the ICU recovering.

At the time of this writing, Lindsey, Davey and Delilah are settled nicely at home getting to know each other and their new family dynamic. Lindsey is navigating early motherhood day by day, trusting her mommy instincts to do what feels right for her daughter. Davey is a constant support, helping and available just as he was during the birth process. Even in the midst of a downright birth odyssey and complicated postpartum, these new parents are thriving and moving forward confidently and full of love and patience for each other. They were adamant that their story be shared. Birth can look so very different from one person to the next. And even when you think you’ve made it through the most difficult part, there could still be a surprise lurking around the corner. And it is in this way that birth is the perfect training ground for parenting. You just never know what the journey will look like. You only know that it is a journey you must take. Flexibility, compassion, patience, and resilience, much like what Lindsey and Davey demonstrated, are incredible attributes for parents to have. They are definitely starting on the right foot.