Elyse and Tony, and furry big brother, Cash, welcomed Arbor Leo into the world on April 30, 2022, a day or two shy of the due date. Elyse knew early on that she desired a homebirth and she sought out the midwife with whom she felt most comfortable. She and Tony are easy going types, so I didn’t hear a lot from her over the pregnancy. They attended my Birth Essentials 7-week class and prepared for what to expect that way. But when we met up for our prenatal visit, it was a very casual meeting. It felt more like friends hanging out. When we parted, we were excited for when we would come together to usher in their sweet new person whose gender was yet to be revealed.

She texted me on April 29 just before 4:00 pm to tell me her water broke. Of course, the likelihood of it being the start of labor is less than 10% but it happened! And it was a continuous drip so no mistaking it. She was crampy from the start, and we were all excited that her body responded with contractions almost immediately. By 8:30 that night, just 4 hours in, her contractions were getting stronger and lasting 40 seconds, and coming every 2:45.

Her midwife recommended she do the Miles Circuit, a mighty fine suggestion. And a couple of hours later once it was completed, Elyse texted that her surges had migrated to a minute long and coming 4:45 apart. They were stronger too, bringing the strongest pressure in her lower back and bottom.

An hour later, after taking some time in the shower, her contractions were lasting over a minute and steady at 5 minutes apart. Her plan was to rest a bit, but an hour later she texted to say she couldn’t rest with the intensity. She wasn’t quite ready for me to come. Elyse was allowing Tony to sleep as she breathed through her surges and waited for them to reach the next level. Her midwife was confident in waiting to hear from me after checking in on things before coming. It was nice to know she had that trust in us. Elyse’s plan was to wait an hour and reach out.

Another hour passed, and things had kicked up another notch and she was ready for me to come. The time was about 2:00 am and I was there by 2:20. Tony led me to Elyse who was laboring in the baby’s room with her dog by her side. This would be the image throughout labor. Elyse breathing through contractions and Cash the Dog nearby. She breathed calmly through a surge, leaning over the ottoman for the rocker. And when the contraction faded, Elyse sat back up, opened her eyes, and greeted me with a smile.

It is always an honor to be invited into someone’s intimate birthing space. But when the birthing space is the home, there is even more intimacy. Fewer people come and go, and it is truly their space. I felt welcome and part of the birth family right away. There was no need to introduce myself or educate on my role. It was very easy and natural—an extension of how our time together always goes.

I sat with Elyse for another 20 minutes. But with contractions coming at a steady 3 minutes apart, I thought it a good time to summon her midwife. They called their midwife at 2:45, right before Elyse entered the shower to labor. The shower didn’t last long. She came out to use the bathroom and decide to labor on land. Tony started the yoga playlist and Elyse returned to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet felt good to her, and I knew it would only progress things even more. We could hear her sigh through each surge, something that had changed even in the hour since I arrived.

She sat upon the CUB after that, mimicking her position. And her midwife arrived a few minutes later. Cash lay down on his new dog bed, placed beside her parents’ bed just in time for the birth and new baby. Elyse asked us what was next and what we were looking for. We simply said there would be more. More contractions, more intensity, more progress. Her midwife asked if she would like a cervical check and Elyse was curious. And her exam was a nice 5 cm. She had already done the hardest most gradual part of her labor. Her midwife said, “Elyse, that is very good!” And she began to unpack her things and get settled in the space.

Elyse asked her midwife how she thought she was coping, and her midwife said she was coping perfectly. A blood pressure check came out perfect too. Elyse felt more butt pressure as her midwife listened to baby. Elyse gently swayed through her contractions, rolling her neck and shoulders, with her hand anchored in Tony’s.

By 4:15 we could see she was working up some sweat with her contractions, so we placed a cold washcloth on her neck. Elyse grabbed her dog’s soft ear through some of the contractions, a sweet comfort measure that would not have been an option in the hospital.

As it neared 4:30, Elyse leaned forward over the CUB, feeling a lot of the discomfort in her back. She breathed deeper with her surges, so I did some counter pressure on her back. “That was intense,” escaped Elyse’s mouth as the surge drifted away. She was in active labor now. I recommended another stint in the shower and this time Elyse labored there for 30 minutes. She returned to her hands and knees position over the CUB upon the bed, and her deeper inhales and exhales told us she had progressed.

Meanwhile, the midwife and her assistant were taking care of birthing details, including filling the tub. Elyse grew hot so she took off her top. We could hear that she was feeling more pressure at the tops of her contractions so the next place she labored was the tub. She was in the water by 6:42 am and we heard some pushy sounds by 7:15 am. She paused after a surge to ask if she was getting close. And her midwife and I responded with affirmations like “It sounds like it,” and “yes!”

Right after peeking and realizing “It’s a girl!”

Elyse cried out through a contraction and her midwife asked how it was different. She felt more pressure in the front—a very good thing after the back pain—and she confessed as she reached down, “I want it to be right there.” But it wasn’t. Not yet.

Elyse asked us just before 8:00 am if she was doing anything and I assured her that she was, and that the first baby is building the birth path and takes more time. Her midwife did a cervix check then and could only feel a lip of cervix. So, she offered to push it aside as Elyse pushed. The lip at the top stayed so Elyse breathed and panted through her contractions for a bit longer.

Her midwife gave arnica and we had Elyse do lunges as she blew raspberries through the contractions. Thirty minutes later the lip was still there, so more arnica was administered. Elyse labored on her hands and knees with her bottom in the air to keep baby from applying extra pressure to her cervix that might encourage pushing too soon. And 20 minutes later, the cervix was gone. Elyse could push!

She pushed on her side, with Tony and I holding a leg for support. She then pushed on the other side. And she rotated back and forth with each contraction a bit. Her midwife felt some tightness, so she reminded Elyse not to clench and hold her baby with her strong pelvic floor. Baby’s heart rate was steady the whole time. And as Elyse pushed, she got a kiss from Tony from time to time too. That’s great for oxytocin!

Elyse ended up on her hands and knees to push and this was where her baby was born. Right there on her bed, with her partner and dog by her side, Elyse became a mother. Her baby came out with her hand by her head and the cord around her arm. Arbor was born at 10:33 am, 19 hours on the dot after Elyse’s water broke at 3:33 pm. And Tony proclaimed after getting a visual that Arbor was a girl!

Cord burning ritual done by parents and midwives

Elyse and Tony were so in awe. Elyse mentioned it was all such a trip and felt like a dream. She brought her baby to her breast where she latched at 10:59, not even 30 minutes old.

Elyse birthed Arbor over an intact perineum, due largely to her control during pushing. It also didn’t hurt that there was no counting or forcing a longer push than what Elyse felt she wanted. The placenta, birthed a few minutes after Arbor, sat in a bowl beside her until they were ready to separate it. And they did so with a slow and gradual cord burning. As Elyse snuggled Arbor beside her, Tony and the midwife heated it with the candle flame and waited about 7 minutes as it sputtered and eventually separated. It was a beautiful reminder of the significance of the placenta and the work it did to sustain Arbor’s life through the pregnancy. It deserved all the time we gave it.

Arbor weighed 7 lb. 9 oz. and measured 20 in. long. She was an average size in babies which is perfect. I gathered some food from the kitchen so the new parents could get some nourishment. And the midwife even made sure Cash got some food too. It looked and felt like an ordinary Saturday morning once all our things were gathered.

It was a lovely birth spent in Elyse and Tony’s home. We were a true team, following Elyse’s lead and trusting her body and her feelings. It was a joy to serve them and to have the bonus opportunity to finally attend a birth with this midwife whom I’ve known for years. It felt comfortable. All of it. So lovely.

First family selfie, Day 2

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Gabriella, Michael and I go way back! At least it feels like it. We met when they were pregnant with their first baby. They took my childbirth class, and I was their doula. And here we are just six years and four babies later. They spent some time in Colorado and welcomed their third child there, but the US Navy returned them to Hampton Roads. After two hospital births, then a birth center birth, Gabriella was excited to welcome this baby at home. It was where she felt comfortable, and her previous births taught her that once labor gets active she doesn’t have a lot of time. Cutting out a hospital commute would be a relief. Coordinating her birth team to her home would prove to be a bit stressful though.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Gabriella has a great trust in her body and its perfect design by God to grow and birth her children. I remember being particularly struck by that in her first birth. She is a woman comfortable in her skin and she assisted the doctor in supporting her perineum as her baby crowned.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

This time, the biggest anxiety was having the children taken care of and making sure her birth team got to the house in time. The week before she would give birth, Gabriella called with the distressing news that Michael had been scheduled for watch the Friday and Monday right near when she would likely give birth, going from her history. He would be difficult to reach and have some distance to drive to get home. I assured her that her anxiety about that happening might help to keep her from going into labor that day. She had friends who could help, and of course she had me and her midwives. But it was a hurdle, emotionally and logistically, and we prayed against it.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

On Good Friday, I got a call from Gabriella just before 9:00 am that it was baby day. It also was mid-rush hour and I had a drive through the tunnel to get to her. I told Gabriella it would be best for me to wait a bit to avoid the highest volume travel time, and I would leave after that. But even more importantly, it was the day Michael had watch. Gabriella initiated the message to him that she was in labor but knew there would likely be some delay getting him home. This added another layer of pressure to get everyone there in time.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Just over an hour later, I was on the road with an hour-long drive ahead of me. Gabriella and I were in touch a bit during the drive and I could tell she was nervous she wouldn’t have us there when she needed us. Her midwife and assistants, husband, and I were all expected to arrive between 10:30-11:00. In the interim, she had her best friend on the phone and a local friend at the house to help wrangle the kids and serve as interim doula.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

I hit traffic on the way to Gabriella’s house, probably worse than the traffic I would have hit had I left right at 9:00. But it served as a reminder that I could not predict traffic, and that everything would unfold as it was meant to with or without me. Michael’s eta was about the same as mine and it was far more important that he arrive in time!

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Ultimately, I arrived before the baby, following suite behind the midwives and Michael. I put down my things and thanked Crystal for doing counter pressure in my stead. Gabriella was laboring braced against the kitchen counter with Michael at her side. There were children milling about doing what children do, none of which seemed concerned or even much interested in what Gabriella was doing. I love that her labor was considered so normal that everyone carried on with playing and then lunchtime.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Gabriella was listening to a lovely playlist on her phone that several of us commented on including “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. Gabriella happened to be laboring right near a doorway when the line “Swear I was born right in the doorway” played. Gabriella swayed to the music and even sang under her breathe, while I Michael held her. I pressed gently but firmly on her back. She liked my cold hands.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

It was only a handful of minutes before Gabriella was asking for the tub. She longed for the water in labor and expected to welcome her baby boy in it. I went upstairs to get an update from her midwife, but the water was not the right temperature, and the water level was low. I went out to update Gabriella and she had nearly made her way to the top of the stairs where a contraction stopped her. She swayed against the banister with Michael there to support her. But when the contraction dissipated, she asked me if the tub was ready. I told her there was still some time left to wait.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Gabriella labored through a contraction or two on the upper landing, then went into her bedroom asking, “Is the tub ready yet?” Then she implored, “Please? Please?!” to her midwife, who apologetically said it was not quite ready but would be very soon. It was 11:15 am at this time, and I dipped my hands in some ice water before placing them on Gabriella’s back. She much preferred the cold to the pressure! Her oldest came upstairs to check on things and immediately noticed her mom’s discontent with having to wait to get in the tub. She recommended they sing a song while they waited, and The Grand Old Duke of York was the song of choice. So, we sang it twice (or maybe it was three times) and the tub was ready!

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Wild horses couldn’t keep Gabriella away as she hiked her leg over the side and submerged herself in the warm water. As I remember it she sighed with great relief! (But I might be making that part up.) Gabriella leaned back against the side of the tub and breathe calmly through contractions. Her cervix was likely completely gone, or nearly so, and she provided her own perineal support as her baby boy descended into her birth canal. She spoke to him, encouraging his continued descent, telling him she could feel him, and how excited she was that he was coming. She even told everyone assembled that she could feel him moving down.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Michael remained by Gabriella’s side and was also tending some to their oldest, who had questions here and there. She left for lunch after a few minutes, and Gabriella hunkered down into the tub as her body moved through transition to second stage. We continued to place our hands on her, my cold hands on her back, Michael’s hand on her so she knew he was close. Her midwife reached in to listen to baby from time to time, but mostly sat and were present and unobtrusive. Gabriella lay back and felt her baby just inside knowing her was coming in a few short minutes.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Gabriella rolled off her back onto her hands and knees. Her water broke soon after that at 11:32, and her baby boy moved down quickly to birth. You might not have known he was coming out if you didn’t see the midwife lean in closer behind Gabriella and her hands disappear below the water. Then Tobias emerged from the water’s surface and was passed right into his mother’s hands. He was born at 11:35 am on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. It was a very fitting birthday for this devout Catholic family.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Gabriella and Michael looked upon their son and greeted him with kisses and soft touches. “Bubby is going to be so happy. He got his wish for a baby brother!” After a few minutes had passed, we helped Gabriella out of the tub up onto her bed. She didn’t want to get out of the water and the climb onto the bed was the tallest it had ever been with a baby in her arms and the weariness of birth.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

She birthed the placenta shortly after that and Tobias latched in time. Gabriella and Michael lay in their bed and let the moment sit between them. And a few minutes later their oldest came upstairs to discover what had transpired as she ate her lunch. She was excited to bear the good news to the others downstairs that baby was born, and it was a boy! A short time later the rest of the little people wandered upstairs to meet and welcomed their newest sibling with kisses and questions. It was a beautiful sight to see this entire family on the bed together.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

Tobias Ryan weighed 6 lb. 15 oz. and measured 20.5 in. long. Soon after his birth, Crystal came upstairs to share with Gabriella, that during a walk with the children, they prayed for a healthy pregnancy, and big brother prayed that he was grateful for a baby boy! He seemed to know already that it was a boy, so the announcement was particularly exciting for him.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

We lingered to make sure Gabriella got some food to eat and was recovering well. By the time I had left she was already showered and ready for the day. Her agenda should have been cleared of everything but snuggling her baby, but somehow, I suspected she would do some mothering tasks for her other littles in there too. It was a beautiful birth though. A birth surrounded in loving supportive women. And In the end, we all made it in enough time to serve Gabriella. I think her midwife said it well when she said, “Perhaps you had to face your worse fear to know you could do it.” And that she did.

Photo Credit: Ely Mac Photography

When I first met Kaitlyn, I was struck by her bright blue eyes. They are windows to the soul, so they say, and if that’s the case, then Kaitlyn showed me a heart full of love and excitement for the upcoming birth of their daughter. Bobby struck me as a quieter steadfast counter to Kaitlyn’s effervescent and talkative nature. But his unfailing love for his girls was clear. Kaitlyn admitted reservations with her providers at our initial meeting and left our interview intent on making a switch. And it wasn’t long afterward she had aligned herself with a practice that was more in keeping with her idea of birth. There was a big exhale from all of us when that happened.

The pre-induction picture

The timing couldn’t have been better either since Kaitlyn’s baby had shown some concerns on ultrasound that would almost definitely result in an induction. Kaitlyn and Bobby advocated for as much time to go into spontaneous labor and as little intervention as possible should induction become the plan. And with open communication and good preparation, they were ready for whatever little Malia’s journey earthside would bring. Kaitlyn did not completely escape the induction possibility, however. But she did manage to put off the induction day to a point that felt more comfortable to her. With regular non-stress tests in the last week or two, both parents and providers were reassured.

But at a 40-week NST and ultrasound, there were lower fluid levels detected. All other signs of baby’s well-being were there, but since she had reached the 40-week mark, there was more potential for risks to baby, considering the preexisting conditions discovered at 20-weeks. Kaitlyn was a strong advocate for herself, however, and she declined the induction recommended that day and instead, maintained the original induction plan for the next day. It also ensured the provider who attended her birth was one who would encourage and support her. Kaitlyn wanted to feel strong and independent as she became a mother, and she walked into her induction feeling confident and excited.

Open communication during an induction is key since it can take days for the entire process to unfold. Kaitlyn and Bobby knew the signs to watch for and would keep me posted once the contractions required Kaitlyn’s complete focus and were at the 5-1-1 interval or closer. Kaitlyn was in good spirits, and she gushed over how amazing every single nurse was. I was thrilled for her and had every hope that would such excellent support her induction would unfold beautifully, and she would emerge on the other side as a confident and capable mother.

The induction began with a balloon. Kaitlyn declined the midwife’s recommendation of using Pitocin right away. Her cervix was already 90% effaced (an excellent start!), 1 cm dilated, and her baby was at -2 station. Kaitlyn’s body responded intensely to the balloon. In fact, she was so uncomfortable an hour or so later, that she vomited. They found some medicine to help and the hope

At 1:30 am, the balloon was out, and Kaitlyn was dilated an impressive 4.5 cm. It didn’t hurt that her cervix was already so thin. We were hopeful she would not need too much of a kickstart to get labor going. In fact, her body continued to contract without Pitocin. Her contractions escalated and she was laboring in the shower by 3:30 am to find some relief.

But it was in the shower that Kaitlyn asked for an epidural. Bobby was ready to help her get it because it was a real struggle for him to see the woman he loved in such pain. He asked Kaitlyn if he should get the nurse, and she said, “No, call Amara!” As Kaitlyn explained it later, she knew she truly didn’t want an epidural but trusted I would be able to talk her into better positions to help combat the pain and help her body progress to birth. She just knew it was time to have me there. Kaitlyn’s nurse helped make it happen too, since thankfully, I was just down the hall with another client who had just given birth.

Kaitlyn was dilated 6-7 cm when she got out of the shower and was feeling a lot of pressure and she breathed and vocalized through each surge. Kaitlyn took her doctor up on her offer to break her water to keep the momentum going.

In the midst of her discomfort, she recognized in her heart she still truly desired a medication-free birth. Kaitlyn sat upon the bed and leaned into the squat bar. She did standing lunges with Bobby to help drive her baby’s head upon her dilating cervix. In one particularly sweet moment, Kaitlyn kissed Bobby and whispered, “I love you,” as she recovered between contractions. It almost made me tear up to see this young woman maintain her focus on the reason she was doing the hard work. And Bobby held her in his arms, knowing if he couldn’t save or protect his wife from the pain, he could embrace her through it.

After doing several cycles of standing lunges, Kaitlyn returned to lay on her side in bed for a “break”. The peanut ball was placed between her legs for her comfort. The baby’s heart rate displayed some head compression (aka a heart rate dip through the peaks of contractions), that had us thinking she’d be bearing down soon. In fact, she even did a practice push at 5:30 am, but since her cervix did not slide back, she continued to labor down.

She was pushing headlong within thirty minutes though, and by 6:18 am we could even see her baby’s head. Kaitlyn’s resolve did not waver when she pushed. If anything, it got stronger for she knew it was the final bit of labor before holding her baby. We updated her on what we saw, encouraging her that each push was bringing her baby forth. Bobby continued to offer regular sips of water to keep Kaitlyn hydrated in the mouth. (IV fluids help but the mouth gets dry!)

Timing is everything, and Kaitlyn’s friend, who also happened to be a doula in training, showed up with enough time to attend the birth. And due to lifting of COVID visitor restrictions, Kaitlyn’s mother was also able to be present for the birth. It was a nice bonus to have women who loved and believed in Kaitlyn to be present beside her during her birth into mother.

Kaitlyn pushed with her knees together to open her pelvis, and we continued to offer ideas for different pushing positions to help her baby navigate her way out. Kaitlyn requested a mirror and that gave her a visual on her baby’s head! She pushed with gusto and her midwife got suited up barely 5 minutes after the mirror was in position. And just 3 minutes after that, Kaitlyn pushed her baby girl into the world at 7:32 am on April 8, 2022! She had the cord wrapped around her neck twice, and was in the OP position, a further testament to the moxie Kaitlyn had!

Her nurses remained past shift to see her birth through, and her beloved midwife came on shift just in time to catch. Every single step of this induction was paved in earnest by Kaitlyn and her wishes for her baby. She was open with her providers and expressed her feelings and preferences. And everything came together to make it happen.

“I’m so proud of myself!” she gushed soon after meeting her daughter. And we all echoed that sentiment with a resounding, “You should be!” Then she looked over at Bobby, her rock, her partner, and said, “I couldn’t do it without you.” In his silent way, he returned her love in a look as his eyes rested on both of his girls.  

Malia was latched for her first nursing session at 8:20 am and it wasn’t long before Kaitllyn’s loving family came in to meet their newest addition. It was a precious encounter to witness, and included her 12-year-old brother, now uncle, who said, “This is the best start to spring break ever!” I gathered my things and left after that. I knew that even happy go lucky, energetic Kaitlyn would eventually crave the silence that would facilitate a good nap. But I was so proud of her and gave her a hug before I stepped out. She had her baby in her arms, her husband by her side, and the world at her feet. Yes, Kaitlyn emerged from her birth strong, independent, and capable, as she had hoped. She was a mother.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Jayne and Dorian are parents AGAIN! I just love when I am contacted by someone who has already birthed with a doula and understands their benefit. As a military family, Dorian was stationed in Hampton Roads for a short time, just enough time to get pregnant and give birth before moving again! Jayne and I got along well, and even enjoyed an outdoor lunch for our prenatal visit. She assured me she knew how her labors began. They were always the same with a mucus plug and then contractions. While I trust a woman to know her body, I also reminded Jayne that every birth has the potential to be a different experience and to remain open to that possibility. She agreed but she also knew her well-established history.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Fast forward about a month and Jayne, who had welcomed her three other babies at, 40w6, 39w5, and 40w4, texted me with an update after her 39-week appointment. She was 70% effaced and 2.5 cm dilated, with a posterior cervix. Then later that night she texted about discharge that was bloody. It seemed a result of her exam to me, but Jayne suspected it might be the beginning of labor. Her parents had not yet arrived to watch the kids though, so it was unsettling to have to think through the alternative plan if they should need it. 

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

A couple of hours later, there was significant bloody discharge reminiscent of the start of her previous three labors. Her parents weren’t there yet and I was waiting or a call from a client getting induced. How would it all shape up? I put in a call to my backup doula just in case, and Jayne reached out to their neighbor who had offered to assist with the kids if needed. And then we waited and kind of hoped it wasn’t labor! She showered and was going to try to get some sleep.

Gallery Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

But Jayne knew her body. And she knew her pattern. And it was just as she said: bloody show in the evening and then contractions in the middle of the night was how all of her labors began. And by 12:15 am, Jayne and Dorian were on their way in to the hospital. At admission, Jayne was dilated 4-5 cm and 80% effaced. She completed the required 20-minutes of monitoring before laboring freely.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

When Jayne’s contractions kicked it up a notch, Dorian called for me to come. I was not yet summoned for the induction so I left knowing I would likely attend two births before heading back home. I was in Jayne’s room by 2:30 am to find Dorian applying counter pressure to her lower back like a pro.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Jayne was breathing calmly and quietly through her contractions, but she was working hard. Not every woman makes noise during labor. In fact, the calm and quiet ones can progress right under your nose. She was feeling waves of nausea and her contractions grew stronger before our eyes. In 30 minutes, she was expressing her concerns about whether she was mentally ready for this baby. She didn’t expect the baby to come for another week or more, but here she was. I assured her she would be able to do it and her doubt was a good sign that things were moving. She would meet her baby soon.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

By 3:11 Jayne was sighing through her contractions. This was as vocal as she got outside of talking. Dorian was her righthand man, always within arm’s reach and loving her with his touch and tender looks at her. 

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

“I think she’s coming. She’s getting in the pelvis,” Jayne said matter-of-factly. We called her nurse in, who then called the midwife. I trusted Jayne. After all she had already narrated her entire labor from the very beginnings. Why shouldn’t she know how it would finish? 

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Her midwife entered the room and confirmed with an exam that Jayne was dilated 9 cm. As the nurse scurried to setup the delivery cart, Jayne’s brain left her body. “What do I do?” “Where do I go?” It was as if in an instant she had birth amnesia and couldn’t recall anything about how to get her baby out. Gentle reassurance and direction to lay atop the CUB on her hands and knees helped her to focus on what her body was telling her to do. And with the next contraction she was pushing.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Dorian continued to press upon her lower back, even as Jayne pushed their baby out. She was 9 cm at 3:24, and baby was born at 3:26. It was one push on her hands and knees and tada! Baby Joannah SooMin Jang was born and passed into her mother’s arms. She was crying and vigorous from the start, earning a nice Apgar score and freedom from extra hands for at least an hour.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Jayne got settled onto the bed where she could properly snuggle baby Joannah between her breasts and get a look at her. She commented to us right away that she was surprised she didn’t get nasty at the end like she thought she would. Perhaps that’s the one thing she did not script currently in the whole birth. ;)

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Dorian and Jayne gave their fourth baby just as much awe and wonder as their first, never tiring at the miracle of new life and the way love multiplies for each new child born. Birth math is funny that way. There is no real way to calculate how labor will unfold, just as there is not formula for the way love grows to accommodate all your children. 

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Joannah weighed in at 7 lb. 14.5 oz. and measured 20 in. long. She had a head of dark hair and had a strong resemblance to her mom, which is only fair, if you ask me. It was such a joy to serve this couple. And while there is comfort in having birthed previously, it’s always humbling to see how each baby still may do things their own way. After all, inexact due date notwithstanding, this little one wasn’t “due” for another week. And Jayne and Dorian handled the change in expectations like pros. Parenting: the training ground for the unexpected.

Photo Credit: Lee Pettigrew Photography

Cierra and Tyler welcomed their second COVID baby on April 12, 2022. This second son served as a gentle reminder that not all babies will follow the same birthing pattern as their siblings, and not all pregnancies will run the same course. Cierra had a long labor with her first, due to a complicated position, and used an epidural to help with rest. She hoped to avoid it altogether this time, especially since she got it late in labor. She also went over a week beyond her due date the first time around so we all assumed she would do the same. It’s often the case, yes, but we were so wrong! 

Cierra texted me on Saturday, April 2, just past 5:00 am, nearly two weeks before her due date, to tell me she was bleeding and having contractions. She had managed to sleep some between and during, but it was getting more difficult. She called the midwife about an hour later who recommended they make their way to the hospital. They had quite a drive, and since this was the second baby, it was better to get to her safe place before things really took off. Later I would learn that she was awakened by her first born at 2:20 and she rocked him to sleep, went back to bed, only to wake up to contractions at 3:00 am.

In the car on the way, Cierra’s body continued to labor, and her contractions were steady at 5 minutes apart. Cierra arrived dilated 7 cm and I was by her side within 30 minutes. She breathed through each contraction as the minutes of the requisite 20-minute NST ticked by. Once the monitoring was done, Cierra made her way to the shower.

Cierra labored in the shower through just a couple of contractions and then was startled by the sensation of having to push. She got out and returned to labor upright on the bed. We tied a rebozo to the squat bar and she grabbed hold and breathed through the strongest contractions of her labor. She was feeling pain in her back so we applied counter pressure to try to ease it, knowing that ultimately birth was the best cure for it.

Twenty minutes later her water broke. It was 8:40, and Cierra labored standing in her husband’s arms and was pushing shortly therafter. Cierra climbed upon the bed and leaned over the cub where she followed her body’s instinct to bear down. She didn’t push long before welcoming her baby boy at 8:52 am! And he was so ready to sing his birthday song, he cried before his whole body was out! And his head was perfectly round since he spent such a short time low in his mom’s pelvis before being born. Sweet baby Christian Jase weighed 7 lb. 1 oz. and measured 19 in. long. (Although those stats would not be confirmed until after the magic hour he shared with his parents!)

Cierra leaned back and clutched her son to her chest. She had done it! And she labored with confidence and never even uttered a word of doubt to us. She hardly had time to, but she likely didn’t feel the doubt. Tyler was her solid partner and never wavered either, supporting her emotionally, and even physically at times, serving as her rock. And this makes my doula heart sing.

It was a privilege to bear witness to Cierra’s strength and Tyler’s steadfast support. It was also nice to see the staff give space and opportunity for Cierra’s birth to unfold unhindered. Cierra labored in whatever position she chose and birthed where and how she landed. Her midwife met her there, and the hospital support team was ready to help if needed but kept their distance. I love seeing this happen. And I hope to see it happen more.

Rachel reached out for the support of a doula because she had a strong desire for a VBAC after welcoming her first son by a c-section for breech presentation. She attended my refresher childbirth class and learned all she could about labor and birth since this would technically be her first experience with labor. 

Rachel’s labor started in the least likely way and that is with her water breaking first! Thankfully, her body got going with contractions very soon after. In fact, they were surprisingly close and strong! This made things confusing since her labor wasn’t following the “typical” pattern, which is laughable since we can’t really put labor (and babies!) in a box, can we? Rachel and Josh called the midwife sooner than she thought she would need to, foregoing laboring around her home in favor of driving to the hospital. It’s a good thing Josh’s mom arrived from Iowa just 12 hours before so they could leave for the hospital easily!!

They arrived at the hospital just past 7:00 am on March 26, and within the hour it was confirmed that Rachel’s cervix was very thin and dilated to 4 cm with her baby’s head well applied. She would be staying to have a baby! She was shocked by the intensity of her labor—she was hardly dilated at her previous appointment—so it had made rapid change. 

Not knowing what was left to come, Rachel requested an epidural. There was a delay since she had to receive enough fluids first, but by 9:00 am they were able to call anesthesia. In the meantime, Rachel labored in upright positions, including pulling the rebozo tied to the squat bar for leverage. Since she was laboring for a VBAC, the protocols required she remain on the monitor, but staying active helped her feel less tethered.

By 9:30 am the epidural was completed, and Rachel was feeling a bit more relaxed. Josh grabbed a quick bite to eat since we suspected he wouldn’t have a better chance considering how quickly Rachel’s labor was moving. And when he got back, he tried to take a power nap. We encouraged the same for Rachel, but I think her mind was too busy thinking. Rachel used the peanut ball to keep her pelvis open as she rotated from side to side. 

Votives and twinkle lights help to set the scene for serenity and calm. But Rachel felt a nagging pain on her left side and general pressure all over that continued. We suspected her body was moving along so her midwife came in to see what was happening. She did an exam and held up her open hand to Rachel who thought “5 fingers, so I must be 5 cm dilated.” But no! Her midwife meant, “High five because you are COMPLETE!”

They got busy setting up the delivery table, clearly not expecting Rachel to progress so rapidly! (I love when that happens!) And by 11:45 am Rachel gave her first push. She really liked the rebozo, so she pushed by doing the tug of war with it tied to the squat bar and her feet braced upon it. Josh was her partner in the tug of war and Rachel remembers this part of her labor fondly! 

She pushed in various positions. She pushed with her knees pointed in, then she pushed on the left side and the right side. Her baby was OT (occiput transverse), so he was needing some creative positioning to help him navigate the pelvis. We did a side-lying release and then Rachel went back to pushing on her right side with the peanut ball between her ankles and her knees pushed in to open her pelvic outlet. Then she did some pushing semi-reclined using the trusty rebozo for some tug of war pushing. 

By 3:00 pm, her baby had rotated from looking at 11:00 to looking at 9:00 so he had made some adjustments. But Rachel had been pushing over 3 hours, so it was a good time to evaluate. The next step was to add Pitocin to add some force to her contractions and maybe helped nudge her baby to rotate. This was a less invasive option than using a vacuum which was another possibility. The doctor stopped by to talk through options including a potential vacuum assist if Pitocin wasn’t enough. Rachel preferred to start with Pitocin and go from there and her doctor agreed. He said, “It’s best for you and your baby if you push him out and don’t get any help from me.” 

So the Pitocin was increased incrementally, and by 4:22 it was at 6 mu which was the magic level for Rachel. By 4:30 she reached down to feel her baby’s head with her own hand and a short time later, at 4:42 pm her son was born!! Isaac William was born about 5 hours after Rachel’s first push. Rachel’s vaginal birth was largely due to her stamina and her providers’ patience. It was a dream team for sure!

The first full song of Izzy’s life was “One Headlight”, but he came into the world to an awesome collection of songs. He was born into Rachel’s midwife’s hands with the doctor standing by, but not needed. She relished having her baby in her arms immediately after the birth and was singing to him just minutes afterward. It was so touching.

After an hour with his mom skin-to-skin, Izzy weighed in. And he was not small! He weighed 8 lb. 11 oz. and was 20.5 in. long, quite stocky. So, his OT positioning was made more challenging by his chunky size. But Rachel had the moxie to do what she had to do, and we are so proud of her for sticking with it!

Rachel discovered such strength in her body through this birth, but she also was able to realize her hope of a vaginal birth. Not only did she push out a big baby for many hours, but her labor also took off quickly. She spent more time in the second stage of her labor than the first! And that is saying something. VBACs are extra special but thankfully, with a supportive provider and good preparation, it’s an excellent option for most women who have had c-sections. Well done to everyone on Rachel’s team for believing in her and believing in vaginal birth.

When I first met Blair, she expressed to me the importance of feeling safe and calm in her labor. Her first birth left her feeling frantic and overwhelmed after arriving to the hospital late in dilation. Blair didn’t feel as if she had a voice, and she really wanted more agency and control this time. She also hoped that in her second birth she would have the opportunity to feel her way through labor and get to her birthplace with enough time to do so. She did her research from selecting a doula to even taking childbirth classes to give her a deeper level of preparation to welcome her second child.

I was surprised when she texted around 8:00 am on March 21 that her water had broken since that’s not how labor usually begins. It had me wondering if things might take off like a shot for her but was surprised and humbled when they didn’t. Blair decided to go in to see her midwife and get checked for some peace of mind, and she was reassured that her water had broken, and she was dilated to 5 cm. Since the contractions were on the mild side, they chose to return home and wait for labor to pick up. It turned out to be a lovely afternoon spent as their last hours as a family of three. 

A couple of hours later, Blair’s contractions had intensified. She did some walking and continued to breathe and move in ways that felt more comfortable. She would update with changes but after a few more hours passed with no word, I thought to text. The timing was just right as Blair was just about to send an update. She had a very big contraction and a gush of liquid, which left her feeling a lot of pressure. Once her mom got to the house they would be leaving for the hospital.  We planned to meet there.

I arrived behind them just past 5:00 that evening. Blair was on the bed with the monitor around her belly for the required 20-minute NST. It was a temporary inconvenience, and she would soon be free to labor unattached. She was dilated 6 cm but was more importantly 100% effaced. Her baby boy was at -1 station. Blair labored over the CUB birthing chair once the monitors were removed, and she had a particularly strong contraction at 5:40 pm that left her shaky and nauseous. Peppermint essential helped with the nausea, but Blair’s contractions were very quickly relentless, coming back-to-back, leaving little chance to catch her breath. We placed a cold washcloth on her neck, seeing that her cheeks had grown flush. And John lovingly encouraged Blair, telling her she was so strong and that he was proud of her. He gently placed his hand upon her back, demonstrating in a simple way that he was right there.

We readied the shower for her, but just getting off the bed caused a contraction that had Blair lean into John for support. We walked with her to the bathroom, pausing for a contraction or two along the way. Blair was vocalizing with each contraction after laboring quietly, so we knew she had turned a corner. Blair was in the shower at 6:15 pm but after a contraction on her knees, she made her way back out. The pressure she felt was very close to pushing and she knew her baby was close.

Blair returned to the bed and was dilated 9.5 cm with an anterior lip. She labored through those last few dilating contractions on her side upon the bed, holding onto to John who never took his gaze off her. He reminded her of her strength, we all did. And we encouraged her to follow her body and push when it felt right. 

As she lay on her side, her body moved her into second stage, and she pushed her baby down into view rather quickly. And it didn’t take long before he was in the world. Benjamin Miles was born at 6:49 pm! When Blair birthed her son, he was placed into her arms and her response was so pure and sweet. She was baffled and shocked, and immediately overcome with the outpouring of tears of love saying, “Our son!” and “I love having him here!” John met her exclamations with a smile and a kiss, and so much love. We watched them take in their son, touching him and talking to him. And it was such a sweet welcome.

Blair confessed that she didn’t think she could do it, and of course we all knew she could, and she did. And John took his son’s hand in his, as he stroked Blair’s hair as she continued to tearfully process what she had done. 

When the cord had slowed its pulse about 6 minutes later, John cut it and as Blair held her son’s hand, he placed his first had upon his head. He leaned in and looked at his son’s face and they continued to let their experience sink in. And when he was ready, Benjamin latched for his first feed and even got some skin to skin with daddy too, all in his first hour of life.

Benjamin looked rather big against Blair’s small frame, so we were all very curious to learn his weight. And he did not disappoint at 9 lb. 2 oz.! Benjamin weighed nearly 1 ½ pounds more than his sister did at birth! And you would never even know it until he came out. Blair labored him into the world with strength, control, and patience. 

Looking at how it unfolded, I think Blair would say she got her wish. Labor was gradual in its onset, giving her the time and space to get her head ready and to spend time with her sweet family. And when the time was right, she proceeded to the hospital where her midwife was waiting for her. She labored just under two hours at the hospital before meeting her son, and for a second baby, that’s good, considering her active labor wasn’t much longer than that! I will always remember the love that was threaded through this birth, between Blair and John, with their firstborn earlier that day, and ultimately with the tearful elation with which they greeted their son. It was so beautiful.

Meredith and Brett welcomed their first child, a son, on March 14, 2022. Meredith found out her baby was breech and OP around 32 weeks and made it her mission to encourage her baby to turn! Then attended my Spinning Babies® Parent Class to learn tips for encouraging their little guy to rotate. And rotate he did, into the OA position before labor. Yay!

Meredith’s water broke around 5:00 pm on March 13. She and Brett were watching a movie, Murder on the Nile, when it happened. Meredith texted me right afterward, and I recommended she do some of the positions we had gone over in the Spinning Babies class to help optimize baby’s position for birth, and hopefully to also encourage contractions. Meredith didn’t feel anything immediately, but she soon detected period-like cramps. It was wonderful that her body responded relatively soon after her water broke, and we were very encouraged she would continue to move into labor. The contractions began erratically and were short, so Meredith tried to rest and not pay too much attention to them until she had to.

Then around 10:00 pm Meredith texted to say she was unable to lay down anymore because the contractions were much stronger and more frequent when she did so. I gave her some suggestions to facilitate rest between them as well as getting in the shower to help and she planned to try them. The Miles Circuit was also recommended, and Meredith had already done it earlier that day! I was pleased to know she was being diligent about helping her baby and her body as her labor developed.

Many hours passed which led me to believe perhaps Meredith’s contractions had died down. But quite the contrary. Brett texted just before 3:00 am to say that Meredith was having a pretty hard time with contractions that were 3 minutes apart, but not lasting a minute yet. She was nauseous and had made good use of the shower. From the sound of things, it was probably time to call the midwife and see if it might be time to head to the hospital. 

Brett conveyed what he saw quite well. Meredith was moaning through contractions and acting differently. She didn’t feel she got any relief between the contractions; they were coming so close. They agreed to call the midwife who recommended they head in once Meredith got something in her stomach. They would update once they arrived, and I would meet them there. Brett ran two red lights to get to the hospital as soon as possible and it was a good thing he did. They waited at the front door for what felt like forever, and then a janitor opened it for them. Thank goodness.

It turned out that although this was their first journey through childbirth, Meredith and Brett did an excellent job of minimizing and ignoring early labor! By the time Meredith got upstairs on the unit and was checked in triage and she was 9 cm dilated! She would not be getting the epidural she thought she might need, and instead relied on her support team and comfort measures to finish the birth.

Meredith breathed deeply as her body opened to complete, and her involuntary urge to bear down grew stronger. It had been a particularly crazy delivery night, and the resident midwife was standing in for Meredith’s midwife until she was available. Everyone swirled around her taking care of their tasks to get her admitted and ready for delivery. The table was set up lickity split and one of Meredith’s doctors arrived in time for the delivery. Her midwife got there a bit after.

Meredith pushed well and her baby moved down nicely every single time. Her baby’s heart rate dipped as she pushed so she breathed oxygen from the mask given to her. Brett was so encouraging, speaking words of affirmation and strength to her as she worked hard to birth their baby. And when he was born, everyone was elated and so excited for this couple. Meredith cried and Brett touched his son in awe of what had just happened. Grant Nelson was born at 5:38 am on March 14, 2022, after an hour of pushing. (See? They still have plenty of time before baby, even though Meredith arrived 9 cm!)

I love watching new parents get to know their baby. They marveled over Grant’s features and Brett placed his finger in his son’s hand and was rewarded with a tight grip. As things settled and Grant had his first go at laid back breastfeeding, Meredith was able to think about what had transpired. It was kind of crazy and wild, and confusing how it didn’t fall into the typical labor pattern that we discussed. But when Meredith listened to her body, things happened. And she got to the hospital in plenty of time to welcome her son. She even managed to squeeze out the possibility for a chance at an epidural which turned out to be a very good thing. Meredith wasn’t sure she would or could labor and birth without pain medications, but she surprised herself and did! And she was very proud of herself and amazed at her body too. And she should be!!  

Gabrielle and Brett welcomed their son, Silas Archer on March 9, 2022. We met during a Spinning Babies class, or rather we were reunited there. I met Gabby years earlier when I attended MOPS. She would work in the nursery taking care of my daughter who is now 16 years old! It was fortuitous timing because I also happened to have an opening for February, so our journey together began in the last weeks of Gabby’s pregnancy.

Gabrielle went past her due date and remained patient as her body moved closer to delivery. She trusted her body and baby would know best when to come, unless she managed to remain pregnant past 41 weeks. All the hopes and prayers didn’t seem to convince Silas it was time to come out, so the induction day looked like the reality as Gabby’s cervix remained at 1 cm and her baby remained very cozy. She trusted that God’s timing was best and embraced the induction with open hands. Then at her final NST before the induction, her midwife was concerned with what she saw and felt it safest to move to induction that very day rather than wait one more. She went home to regroup and eat and returned to the hospital that evening for induction of labor.

First step was to ripen her cervix, so a balloon was inserted. Gabby’s body responded with contractions soon after and they were consistent at 3-5 minutes apart. It was 9:45 pm when she updated me, and the plan was to sleep as much as possible. By the next morning, with the balloon removed, Gabby was dilated 5 cm, 70% effaced, and her baby was still at -3 station. This was great change and set the stage for a good beginning. Pitocin was added to the equation around 9:00 that morning.

It didn’t take long for regular, strong contractions to take hold. Gabby sent for my support around 1:30 that afternoon, since she could no longer talk through her contractions.  She had an exam right before I got there and she was moving forward nicely, dilated 6 cm, 80% effaced, and her baby was lower at -1 to 0 station. The Pitocin was at 10 mu.

Gabrielle leaned over the CUB on her hands and knees to cope with her contractions. Her midwife stopped in for a visit and praised her for all her hard work. She felt the contractions strong in her back, so a warm pack helped alleviate that pain somewhat along with her hands and knees position. Gabby even lunged through her contractions, knowing it would help her baby continue downward. The next position for labor was sitting upright in the bed as if in a throne. We tied my rebozo on the squat bar and Gabrielle pulled on it through contractions and leaned over the bar as well.

By 4:00 she was dilated 6/7 cm and her baby was at +1 station. With things progressing so nicely, and her desire to get in the shower, Gabby’s midwife recommended turning the Pitocin off and seeing if her body took off without it. She labored for 45 minutes under the flow of warm water as her labor playlist filled echoed in the bathroom. Some aromatherapy helped keep her space calming as well as helping with nausea too.

Gabby exited the shower still contracting regularly, so she returned to her hands and knees over the cub on the bed. It was 5:00 pm and she was considering her options. It was time for an exam so she would have all her information before deciding. And to our surprise, Gabby was still dilated the same, although she was 100% effaced and her baby was at 0 station. She was ready to get an epidural, and by 5:40 pm it was complete.

An hour later, Gabby was dilated 7 cm. But her midwife inserted an IUPC to get a more accurate read on the contractions in the event they might need to reintroduce Pitocin. Gabrielle labored with her knees around the peanut ball on one side, and then the other. Next, we placed the peanut under one leg to keep her pelvis asymmetric. And then at 8:35 pm she had just an anterior lip of cervix! It wasn’t long before she would be pushing.

Gabrielle gave her first intentional push at 9:30 pm and we quickly saw her baby’s head. She even reached down to feel for herself which is always an exciting moment. And she continued to push with such gusto that her baby’s heart rate showed some reaction to the strong squeezes from the pushing contractions. It didn’t take long though, because at 10:06 pm, after just over 30 minutes of pushing, Silas Archer was born! Fun fact: He was born to the song “Here Comes the Son,” by the Beatles! And this is the second time I recall a client welcoming a baby boy to that very song!) His cord was wrapped around his neck one time, which helped to explain the dips in his heart rate. But it did not have any impact on his Apgar score since he cried out right away. 

Silas was met with tears and smiles, and so much love. His parents took in the details of his body—his hairy arms, the fact that he looked like his mom and seemed to favor his maternal grandpa too. He sneezed a bit at first which was the cutest thing. And in general, he was content to lay against his mom.

Gabby labored hard with Pitocin, and with the support of her husband, always felt strong, and loved. This is so important in birth. And it was a huge benefit for Gabby and her birth experience. 

Christene and Rickey are parents! They welcomed their sweet baby girl, Azalea Faith, on March 5, after an adventurous induction. This baby was conceived with IVF after wanting a child for so long, so this would be an especially momentous experience for Christene and Rickey. As her due date neared, Christene had some higher-than-normal blood pressures that had her providers concerned. Then she woke up with some bleeding that had her go in to get checked out. With multiple issues going on, she agreed with her providers that an induction was the safest route rather than waiting to see if things might get worse. There was a lot of waiting involved but eventually she got into a room.

The first step was to do cervical ripening with a balloon. Christene was already dilated 1-2 cm so that was a start. She felt contractions soon after the balloon but focused on breathing through them. After a few hours had passed Pitocin was started. Christene felt a lot of cramps in her back, but I reminded her of the importance of sleep, especially with an induction that would likely take some time. I recommended some positions that might give her back a break (hands and knees) and Christene said she’d give them a try.

The pain grew to be so intense for Christene that she decided to get an epidural. She was still rather early in the labor process and knew she had a long road ahead of her. Sleep became her plan and she hoped she might dilate as she slept. (So did her doctors!) By 3:20 am a cervical exam revealed that Christene was dilated 5 cm and her baby was at -2 station. Thought largely from the balloon, it was very encouraging to hear such a number. They broke her water next in the hopes it would catapult the process. But four hours later, at 7:15 am she was still dilated 5 cm. So, Cervadil was inserted to continue to ripen and encourage cervical change.

To make sure her contractions were strong enough, they inserted an IUPC to measure them. Christene was laboring in all sorts of positions with the peanut ball thanks to her nurse and doula (). She leaned over the CUB birthing chair around 11:30 am and soon felt nauseous from all the moving. Peppermint essential oil helped, but it also didn’t hurt that she was able to drape herself over the CUB and rest a bit from all the activity.

Shortly after noon they inserted a FSE to make sure baby was handling the contractions okay. There were some concerning dips, so they wanted to cover all their bases. A cervical exam showed Christene to still be dilated to a 5 and her baby was still high at -2 station. There were murmurs of a possible c-section, but they were willing to give it more time. Technically Christene was not yet in labor, and they wanted to give her body every chance for it. But she also developed a slight fever that they kept an eye on. This was not helping matters and only had them more concerned.

We continued to rotate Christine from one side to the other using the peanut ball strategically to encourage her baby’s descent. We even did the flying cowgirl position, all while the Pitocin was raised bit by bit. Christene was such a good sport through it all. I know she worried about the possibility of a c-section, and she had voiced to me that was the one thing she didn’t want. But as the hours passed it looked more and more like the way her baby would be born. And as the hours passed, Christene seemed more at peace with it.

Just past 2:30 pm we used some lavender aromatherapy to help with relaxation. Christene felt more pain on her left side, so she pressed the PCA button. We couldn’t move her to the other side to remedy it because her baby’s heart rate would dip in a worrisome way. They cautiously increased Pitocin to bring stronger contractions while constantly watching for baby’s response. This can be a stressful situation for parents, but Christene and Rickey tried their best to stay focused on the end result—their baby in their arms. And they did not know the gender so that was an added element of surprise!

We dimmed the lights and finally we heard Christene snoring. At last! She was getting some sleep. A short time later though, the doctor came in to have a chat. There were concerns about her baby’s lack of variability on the strip, so it was looking more and more like a c-section. Christene and Ricky asked to wait until the next exam which was expected in a few hours, and they would make a decision at that time. 

When 8:00 rolled around, the doctor checked and discovered Christene was dilated to 6 cm, was 90% effaced, and her baby was a little lower at -1 station. These were changes and were a glimmer of hope for proceeding forward for a vaginal birth. They would reassess in a couple of hours and go from there. In the meantime, we continued to move Christene from one side to the other, as her baby tolerated.

At 10:10 pm it was the moment of truth. The exam results were in: Christine was still dilated to 6 cm, 90% effaced, and her baby was still at -1 station. Looking at the past 30 hours and what had transpired—concerning decels in baby’s heart rate and lack of variability, her high position, and Christine’s body’s lack of cervical change—it felt right to Christene and Rickey to proceed with a c-section. They had worked hard to meet their baby and wanted to be cautious.

Within the hour Christene was wheeled back, and Rickey waited in the PACU to join her. When they were reunited in the OR, moments later they welcomed their baby into the world. And to Rickey’s dismay and excitement it was a girl! He had confessed how worried he would be if it was a girl and that’s exactly what he got! He would have a baby girl to protect always. Azalea Faith was her name and seemed the perfect name for their journey to meet her. It took a lot of faith, and she was born on the dawn of spring when the azaleas bloom so lovely, at 11:31 pm.

Azalea was not a little one. She tipped the scales at 9 lb. 6 oz. which made Christene and Rickey feel a little better about the c-section. But mostly they were just relieved she was earthside safe and sound. She has the most amazing head of hair. It’s so full it looks like a toupee! They are settling in nicely at home at the time of this writing. They wear parenthood well and adore their daughter to pieces. They only wish they could get a bit more sleep. Sounds like things are going well then, right?