I got the text that Emily was ready for me, I loaded up and drove to Nashville. When I got there Emily was breathing through her surges that came on after her Foley was in place, she rocked, swayed, braided her hair and kept relaxed.
I started looking around and noticed all of these Birth affirmations that they had taped up around the room, it was such a sweet and easy way to lessen the "Hospital" feel. They also had a Birth color that they used to also help with the mental head space, they had chosen Purple and had two balloons covering the harsh lighting. My favorite was "Floppy Face. Floppy Fanny." Everyone who saw that giggled but it isn't just a little funny saying there is science behind a soft face and soft pelvic floor.
Over the hours she pumped, did Miles circuit, pumped some more, rested, labored on the toilet, did deep squats from holding onto a sheet that I tied and threw over the door, cuddled and laughed. We were all BLOWN away at her collection of colostrum!!! The nurses brought her syringes for the colostrum and they took it to the NICU to be put in the freezer. Emily had Gestational Diabetes that was being managed by diet but they also knew that their baby might need a quick feed to keep their blood sugars up. Just another way that I was BLOWN away with this family. The amount of educating these two did was amazing, they also had a sign on the door that not only stated that Emily was using Hypnobirthing and what verbiage to use like instead of "pain" use "pressure" and instead of "contractions" use "Surge". It also said "Please only discuss risks or any negative concerns with Tara (her wife) or her Doula (me). This allowed Emily to focus on her breathing and labor zone.
I was blown away with the Nurses at St. Thomas Midtown Maternity Ward they took that sign not as a sign of aggression but fully respected their wishes and were also impressed by these two! The team work that happened with this birth was amazing. Emily & Tara had a birth plan that said they wanted Tara to help deliver baby and announce the gender ( I love a surprise gender birth) and for the two of them to stimulate baby. The baby nurse came in and met with them and talked to them about what to expect and what to do. Again just in awe of the birthing team!
After a very long 30+ hours it was finally time to start pushing, Emily did not want to give birth on her back with legs in the stirrups. With her wife, amazing nurse and Doula we all helped advocate for her and make sure she was pushing how she wanted. We could start to see baby's head and I realized that Emily had shifted from her side to her back so I helped her into another position with her knees together, ankles out while on her side to help open the pelvic outlet across the more narrow part of the oval. THERE it is, we all cheered!!!!! This was what she needed to help get baby down and out, we could see more and more of baby.
Soon Tara put on her gloves and with the Midwifes assistance she helped deliver their baby, as she placed baby on Emily's chest she announced....IT'S A BOY!!!!! Both of them were able to stimulate little Ellis, take him in and Tara cut the cord long after he was born, the Midwife didn't just look at the clock she held the cord to wait until there was no more pulse.
I am so incredibly PROUD of these two! For Tara, you were unwavering in your support!! Your ability to be the safe place, the calm in Emily's storm! You did such a great job protecting your family!! Emily, oh how I love you!!! You have been my most educated and empowered Birthing client ever!!! You are seriously one of the STRONGEST humans I know!!!!! Ellis is BEYOND blessed to have parents like you!!!
