Ellis' Birth Story

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!!!

The Birth Story of Little F

It was the day before her due date when I got the text that things seemed to be happening, being on call I watched my phone like a hawk awaiting for an update. That evening Dad reached out to let me know that things were definitely happening and Mom was laboring beautifully along.

I came over to take a look and see how things were going when we noticed her waves coming on quicker, the call to the Midwives was made and her birthing team gathered to support this family. Once her team was all there, baby girl made her own plans and gave her Mom a break. Which happens all the time and for many reasons. Some times it's because Mom is tired and needs a good rest before active labor continues. Some times, mentally mom has a blockage ( if she feels watched, rushed etc) and needs some space. There can be many factors, all normal.

We decided to all leave for a bit to allow Mom to rest, knowing we were all only a few miles away. A few hours later Dad texted me letting me know that she was contracting 3-1-1 meaning 3 minuets apart, lasting at least a minute long for over an hour and the Midwifes were on their way to check them out. I waited on standby for Dad to let me know when they were ready for me to come over. "She's at a 7, if you are free, head this way" I jumped in my car and headed on over.

As I was making my way up the stairs I heard joyful commotion as her water had broken, the sounds of labor filled the halls. Mom was on her knees breathing her baby down. Moving freely as she listened to what her body needed. The sounds of waves coming from speaker filled in the silence as we surrounded her with love and support.

It wasn't too much longer that we all realized she was close to meeting her baby girl. Someone noticed that it was the 8th, her due date and how this little girl was doing things very punctually. We all had a little giggle. Virgos am I right?

With Mom fully in control of her body she reached down and could feel her baby's head, elated that this was in fact happening and all the work she has done was bringing her baby Earth side. Mom moved freely stil while she breathed her baby down and out. Each surge bringing her closer, her Husband whispering words of encouragement each step of the way.

"I see eyebrows" Joy filled Mom's face all this time, from the moment she say that positive test, the first time she felt her move to the first surge of labor...all of this and she was finally about to meet this little person she had already fallen madly in love with. With a strong roar and the help of the Midwivery team and her husband she birthed her baby girl in the early hours safely at home. Surrounded by who she wanted present, surrounded by those who believed she could.

Big sister who had slept through the night was excitedly waiting right outside the door was brought in to meet her newest best friend and the whole room melted. She wasn't shocked by the sights of child birth, she had been practicing with Mom and Dad. She was just SOOOO excited to meet her baby.

The family was soon left alone to bond as the team waited downstairs and refreshed on the lovely food and snacks they had prepared for us. After about an hour we all went back up to do the Newborn assessment and find out how much this sweet bigger than expected baby was. Dad carefully lifted her up in the scale and we were shocked that she was 8 lbs 8 oz. almost 2lbs bigger than her older sister. WOW 8.8 born on the 8th...this little girl sure has some magic about her.

Birth is beautiful, it is raw, it is forever the thing that makes my heart pitter patter. I am ALWAYS so thankful for the families that allow me to be apart of their story. Thank you for taking the time to read Baby F's birth story. Until next time

PART 2 OF THE BIRTH OF LITTLE E

70 of the longest minutes ticked by, every single foot step shadow that walked by the door made us gasp. We talked and cried and continued to pray. Then a little over a hour after his wife was taken to the OR a nurse walks in and introduces herself to us as the NICU nurse taking care of his baby. She let us know that baby was okay and healthy. The gender didn't even matter we celebrated a healthy baby and then the nurse told Dad that he had a beautiful healthy baby GIRL!!!! JOY...joy is the word I would use to describe how he felt. He threw himself back in the chair with excited and I worried he would faint from all the emotions.

The excitement held us off as we still awaited to hear more about Mom. Another hour goes by and her OB enters the room to let us know that she was safe and okay! When I tell you I could finally breathe again I am not joking. 2 hours of unknown really can take toll and I am so glad Dad didn't have to wait alone.

Mom was brought in shortly and the reunion between husband and wife was moving!! They embraced the fact that they had a healthy baby and that they had a BABY GIRL!! I think the shock was still in from just finding that out, the room filled again with zooming excitement.

Moments later NICU brought baby girl in to meet her Mom & Dad and it is safe to say they were instantly engulfed in love! Mom was able snuggle her daughter for the first time and Dad instantly got his finger wrapped tightly into hers and we all swooned. After mom was able to snuggle it was Dad's turn and that is when he turned into complete mush!!!

I quietly walked out after knowing they were all save and sound and said another prayer before I left. If you have followed this story I want to thank you!

THE STORY OF LITTLE E

This stunning Mama reached out to while pregnant and we talked about her goals and wishes and plans for her VBAC ( Vaginal birth after cesarean). She had her cerclage ( the use of a ring or loop to bind together the ends of a cervix) removed at 36 weeks and we all held our breathe, we all knew it could be any day. As the weeks rolled on by Mama and I stayed in close contact, even doing a home visit to go over early labor and what they can do to manage discomforts etc. Mama walked, pumped, walked some more this woman was doing it all to try to go into labor all on her own.

As week 40 came and went we all knew the deadline was approaching and choices were going to have to be made to get things moving along. Mama remained strong, and courageous and advocated for herself and baby. The medical decision was made for her to come to the hospital on the 13th to start her induction process and we all made our way from Clarksville to Nashville.

Once we got there we were taken into her laboring room and started to get settled in and ready for the OB to break her water as she came into the hospital at 4 cm. Mom was told she had a lot of fluid and to be prepared for a big ole splash and at first there was a trickle...THEN the gates opened haha. Mom and Dad laughed together as he tried to help her to the bathroom with her water leaking all over the bed and onto the floor. The room stayed filled with laughter and jokes.

A few hours later her waves started to come in on their own, and in a good pattern with no need of medication. She swayed, she danced, she was in the zone. Dad jumped right in there to offer comfort and a gentle reminder to drop her shoulders and when the wave was coming back down. Together they were reaching that goal of meeting their baby which they didn't know the gender of!!

Around 6:30 I noticed that mom had to focus more on her breathing during her surges and from watching her I could tell that we were approaching transition. Even with approaching transition she remained so calm and in control. She would drop her shoulders, continue to breathe slowly and in control. We awaited to hear what the next cervical check would show and no one could have imagined what would happen next.

Around 7:15 the OB came in to do her cervical exam and we waited to hear good news that she had progress and didn't any other interventions but the look on her Dr's face told us all that something was wrong. The words that came out next shook us all to the core, the baby's cord had prolapsed ( cord prolapse is when the umbilical cord comes out of the uterus with or before the presenting part of the baby. The concern with cord prolapse is that pressure on the cord from the baby will compromise blood flow to the baby). The room's energy went from excitement that Mom was rocking her VBAC to fear and panic.

Within 4 minuets after her exam the room filled with staff and Mom and Dad filled with the unknown. Mom was rolled out of the room and because she didn't have an epidural she would be needed to be completely put under during the delivery and alone.

Dad broke down, his wife and unborn child were taken away from him and he didn't know what the outcome would be. I stayed, held space for him. Allowed him to mourn the birth they had envisioned, then we prayed and then we held our breathe waiting.

Too be conintued.........