A Birth Story--in celebration of a 3rd birthday!

December 2008 began as a cold month. Snow lay on the ground and the temperatures were dragging down between -10 and -15C. Lights were beginning to emerge on houses and decorations were making their way slowly.

It became obvious that baby would be coming soon. A nagging, restless feeling accompanied with some backache provided some positive examples of what was to come. Waking in the early hours of December 10, the mom practiced relaxing. Long baths, relaxation breathing and position changes all helped, but it soon became apparent she was truly in labour.

She called about 10 AM, letting me know the contractions were getting more regular but were still about 10-15 minutes apart. After a visit to her at home, I finished up loose ends in preparation for supporting her. Her doctors’ appointment was at 3 PM, so we drove in to Smithers leaving at 2. Her contractions were closer together and intensifying. The doctor measured her at 4-5 cm and suggested she rest in anticipation of a long night with lots of work.

We wandered out in the lightly falling snow, shopping and breathing, supporting movement and finding nourishment for the journey. Mom was celebrated by friends and colleagues as she ate chili and labored in her workplace, Kokopelli’s. When it was too difficult to keep walking, she suggested a retreat to her friend’s home where she could continue her hard work with the support of friends and family. Once we were there, her contractions picked up in intensity and she found it more comfortable to stay on hands and knees. I applied double hip squeezes intermixed with massage and counter pressure. An extra pair of hands made the hip squeeze application easier for a longer period of time. The battery-operated massage tool enhanced the contractions, making them more intense when it was applied to the base of her spine.  Soon, she requested a trip to the hospital to see how her progress was.

Arriving about 6:30, she was assessed by the nurse to be about 6 cm and more than 50% effaced. Labour was moving really well. her older sister was on her way and would bring a roasted chicken sub and iced tea for sustenance. The mother was moving along well and taking the time between her rushes to regroup and think about what she would like next. Showers and baths, changes in position to all fours and walking around were all mingled with massage and counter pressure on request. By now the hip squeezes were no longer helpful and we knew she was retreating into her primitive brain, preparing for the second stage to begin soon. We had lots of music in the room. After kneeling on the mat for a while, she decided she wanted wrapping pressure around her during each rush, so I climbed on the bed behind her to lift her belly each time. Her voice was changing, getting a bit more guttural and focused when she was making sounds. The doctor was called and he assessed her to be 9+ cm with a small anterior lip. Her waters were bulging and he offered to break them for her. During a powerful contraction as she was on all four, he helped it out of the way. She started with some light pushes, listening to her body’s instructions and adding pressure through the sounds from her mouth. After a few contractions, she climbed up on the bed. Pushing continued with a little more power each time. In upright positions, she used gravity to help the baby’s descent. She moved around and changed positions as her body told her. With each push, we saw more of the baby’s head. Listening to the voice of wisdom within her, she opened right up in time for us to see the baby’s hand come out ahead of his head, as if waving his arrival. One final push and he was out. Immediately, she held him close to her, crying and welcoming this new son, as his dad cut the cord. He nuzzled in, crying quickly after he was born and announcing to his uncle, who was on the phone, that he had arrived. Within 10 minutes, the mom delivered her placenta which was healthy and whole.

He breastfed within a half hour and looked so alert, listening to all that was going on around him. His interaction with his new world, so alert, was much of what his mom could expect from a drug free labour where she was in control and well informed. The new parents spent time talking with their new son, welcoming him to this world, one in which they had spent time in preparation for him. The mother was so self-determined, so strong and in control. I am so very proud of how she accomplished this hard work and that the outcome is such a beautiful, wonderful gift of a son.