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
