The Birth of Baby Boy M
Wednesday, October 4th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
7 lbs 6 oz and 20.5 inches
Original due date: October 10th
2nd baby, home waterbirth
While having dinner with Mommy U, Daddy N, Sister E, my husband, and my daughter on Tuesday, October 3rd, I noticed Mommy U had “the look” – the look that meant the end was near. She was exactly 39 weeks pregnant and during her prenatal appointment with her midwife earlier that day, she learned she was 3 centimeters dilated, 30% effaced, and the baby was at -1 station. Mommy U’s belly appeared lower to me. She was waddling pretty badly too and had several painful Braxton-Hicks contractions while we were there. I just had a feeling…the action was going to start in a few hours. This seemed so natural that we would have dinner with them on the eve of their baby’s birth because on the eve of my daughter’s birth, we’d had pizza with them. They later told us that after that dinner, Daddy N mentioned to Mommy U that he thought I would have my baby that night and my labor did start just a few hours later.
At around 10:45 am on Wednesday, October 4th, Mommy U called me sounding very excited. She said she was having regular contractions around 10 minutes apart and that she believed she was in early labor. She indicated her contractions had really started at around 9 am, but that she felt some on-and-off throughout the night. Mommy U felt comfortable on her own for the time-being – Sister E (13 months) was down for a nap, so she could relax and see where things went. We decided she would call me back when she wanted me to come over. At this point, Mommy U gave Midwife C a heads-up as well, and called her husband (at work) and told him today was the day.
At around 10:45 am on Wednesday, October 4th, Mommy U called me sounding very excited. She said she was having regular contractions around 10 minutes apart and that she believed she was in early labor. She indicated her contractions had really started at around 9 am, but that she felt some on-and-off throughout the night. Mommy U felt comfortable on her own for the time-being – Sister E (13 months) was down for a nap, so she could relax and see where things went. We decided she would call me back when she wanted me to come over. At this point, Mommy U gave Midwife C a heads-up as well, and called her husband (at work) and told him today was the day.
I took this time to go home (I was at school) and collect my bag and arrange the car-juggle so my husband could get home from work with our daughter. I returned to school and waited for Mommy U’s call. Just before noon, Mommy U called back and sounded a bit more serious. She said things were getting uncomfortable and that she didn’t want to be alone anymore. I told her I’d be over as soon as I could, and she told me not to rush.
I hopped in the car, went back to my house quickly because I forgot a few papers (and I STILL forgot the birth ball!), and headed towards work. This was the very first birth I would ever attend, and I was a little nervous. Keith (my husband) drove me over to her house and dropped me off and I ate lunch along the way. I arrived a little before 12:45 pm.
Mommy U looked relieved to see me. Sister E was still napping (hooray!) so Mommy U and I had the chance to relax together, get situated, and talk things over. I observed several contractions, and it was obvious they required her full attention. She was relaxing well through them in an extended child’s pose and found relief when I pressed on the center of her lower back. I got Mommy U set up with water and juice, and asked about what she’d eaten so far. She had a bowl of cereal and yogurt shortly before I arrived, so I felt comfortable that she was fed (for the moment). I also encouraged a bathroom visit shortly after I arrived.
Mommy U had been estimating when she said her contractions were 10 minutes apart, so after we were settled, I decided we should time a few. We tried a Movie for distraction, but it wasn’t long before Mommy U said she didn’t like the stimulation. We switched to some calming music. After timing contractions for a while, it was apparent they were about 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long. Mommy U couldn’t talk or walk during contractions, but she was still capable of smiling in between. She was also having mild shakes at times. I estimated she was moving into active labor, but wanted to keep watching for a bit. We tried contractions in standing positions and rear-facing in a chair. The chair worked well, so we stayed with that for a while. I also gave her a comb to grasp firmly in her hand, hitting accupressure points that are supposed to relief labor pains. This comb turned into a magic item that Mommy U clutched for the remainder of the birth.
A little before 2 pm, Sister E woke up so I attended to her briefly while Mommy U relaxed on her own. Sister E needed lunch, so I set her up with a bowl of pasta and returned to Mommy U. Daddy N arrived home at around this time, and began many of the house preparations for the birth. He also took over the care of Sister E. Mommy U continued to work with her contractions, sip water and juice, nibble on banana, and change positions. Shortly after 2 pm, I suggested we call Midwife C to give her an update. I made the call and informed her Mommy U’s contractions had been 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long for over an hour, and that they were requiring her absolute concentration and she could not talk through them. I also let her know they were varying a bit in intensity – some far worse than others. Midwife C indicated they would finish up the current appointment she and her assistant (Apprentice V) were at, they would cancel the remaining two appointments, and they would head our way.
At around 3:15 pm, Mommy U vomited. She vomited a lot, from one contraction straight into the next one. All our hard work with the water and food were now in the bucket! Daddy N and I both worked together to support her during this low point. Immediately afterwards, Mommy U was feeling a little better. Her contractions spaced out a bit more, stretching to about 6-8 minutes apart and as short as 30 seconds long. She was enjoying this break. A comfortable position at this point was kneeling and leaning on the couch because she could completely relax into the soft cushions. At times she almost appeared asleep in between…it was very peaceful. By 4:00 pm her contractions were intensifying again to around 4 minutes apart and about 1 minute long. Mommy U began to shake again. I felt at this point she was strongly in active labor.
Midwife C and Apprentice V arrived at around 4:45 pm just as Mommy U’s contractions hit 3 minutes apart and 60-90 seconds long. Mommy U was rear-facing on the toilet at the time, though she was no longer able to urinate. She was working very hard and required constant firm pressure on her back during every contraction. She was starting to moan softly and at some point whispered to me she didn’t think she could do this. I reassured her that she WAS doing it, that she was doing an excellent job, that she had made so much progress, and that she would be meeting her baby very soon. At this point, I felt she was nearing transition.
Daddy N assisted the midwives in setting up. Luckily, Sister E had been a doll and was content to play on her own for much of the afternoon. The midwives rearranged the kitchen, brought in the birth tub, set up equipment, moved things around, and began sterilizing their tools. At around 5:00 pm, Daddy N and I traded places for a while – I took over care of Sister E and he attended to Mommy U. I needed to call Keith and check in with him about our own daughter, and I desperately needed to grab a bite to eat. Sister E and I visited with each other, played for a while, and tried to stay out of the way. Of course, Sister E’s favorite place to play at the moment was the middle of the kitchen floor – not exactly out of the way! I downed some food and prepared to feed Sister E at the same time.
Shortly after we switched, Mommy U vomited very violently again. At 5:45 pm, Mommy U requested a vaginal exam (her first) from Midwife C. Midwife C had just finished telling her she could visibly tell she was in very active labor, and she thought she was at least 5 centimeters. I could see the disappointment on Mommy U’s face at this number, and I admit I thought she was farther along than that. We were all very excited to hear Mommy U was in fact 7.5 centimeters and 90% effaced! She was progressing very well! When asked if she wanted to get in the tub, she exclaimed, YES!
From here on out, I’m not aware of anyone timing Mommy U’s contractions anymore. We just watched her behavior to determine where she was. Mommy U climbed into the tub with Daddy N, Midwife C, and Apprentice V assisting. Daddy N was in the tub with her at times, providing strong physical and emotional support. I continued to care for Sister E while providing some verbal support when Sister E was calm enough for us to be in the room. By 6:30 pm, Sister E was ready for dinner and bed, so Daddy N and I switched roles again – he took over Sister E and I attended to Mommy U. Mommy U was listening to her body and changing positions in the tub frequently. I worked with Apprentice V, switching between being the front person (holding hands and arms, making eye contact, providing verbal support) and back person (applying back pressure). At approximately 7:00 pm, Mommy U said she wanted out of the tub. Apprentice V and I assisted her out, and I guided Mommy U very slowly through the house. In our walk, I was backwards, she was forwards, and she would collapse into me whenever a contraction hit. It was slow but steady progress towards the couch in the living area. Once nearly there, Mommy U suggested she should visit the bathroom again, so we turned around and headed that way.
Once finally in the bathroom, she took up her rear-facing position and things really seemed to get intense for her. Contractions were very close together with little break, and even the breaks appeared painful. Mommy U was also experiencing violent shakes at times. She needed constant touch, and very strong pressure on her back during contractions. Mommy U was really handling everything extremely well – she let each contraction take over and just flowed with it. Her strength was amazing, even when she began to have doubts. The midwives continued to check in and offer encouragement, but for the most part Daddy N and I were supporting her during this time. We continued (always!) to offer sips of energy drink and water. Mommy U never let go of her magic comb either.
After some time on the toilet, Mommy U was expressing self-doubt and Daddy N was giving her encouragement, and she began asking if she could push yet. I’m not sure of the time anymore, perhaps 7:45 pm? I went to Midwife C and Apprentice V with Mommy U’s status – violent shakes and a request to push. Midwife C said she felt Mommy U was getting very close, but she wanted her to breathe through a few more contractions on the toilet and wait for the NEED to push. She felt it would be soon. Midwife C also wanted to know where Mommy U wished to birth, but at this point Mommy U couldn’t really tell us, so they prepared the couch and the birth tub to the correct temperature.
By 8:15 pm (??), Mommy U got up from the toilet and noticed blood. Midwife C said it was a very good sign, and that it meant her cervix was making important changes. We helped Mommy U make her way back to the birth tub. In the tub, Mommy U continued to change positions as we all waited for to feel the urge to push. Daddy N and Midwife C accompanied Mommy U, while Apprentice V and I took a short break in the other room. After just a few minutes however, I could look to Mommy U and see in her eyes – she needed me. As I came back into the room, Daddy N (who was also in the tub) told me Mommy U was asking for my help. I took up position in front of her so I could hold her hands and arms, lock eyes with her, give her verbal encouragement, and be a firm rock. Mommy U was working for every second now. She clutched the comb, squeezing it in her hands, biting it, and running it through her hair in between contractions. It seemed to give her strength. After some time, she requested I switch to press on her back, so Daddy N took up position in the front.
Midwife C suggested Mommy U try a squatting position with the next contraction. She suggested it would move the baby down lower in her pelvis. For the next series of contractions, Daddy N pulled Mommy U up into the squat as I pushed from behind. Getting a good angle on Mommy U’s lower back was difficult with her in a squat, but it was still very important to her comfort so I kept it up. At one point, Midwife C tried to take Mommy U’s comb away so she could grab on to the side of the tub, but Mommy U whimpered and wouldn’t let it go. The comb had to stay! In between contractions, Mommy U would relax back against the side of the tub and I would run my fingers through her hair. She was doing such a fantastic job and we all knew she was soooo close! At one point, Midwife C suggested Mommy U reach down and feel the baby’s head. Mommy U could feel it, and it was very close, but she felt something was in the way. Midwife C decided to come in to check.
At 8:47 pm, Midwife C confirmed Mommy U was 10 centimeters, but that she had a lip of cervix still near the baby’s head. A cervical lip had held up Mommy U during the birth of her daughter, so this wasn’t great news for her. Midwife C suggested that after another contraction, she would try holding the cervix back to see if it would slip out of the way. We prepared Mommy U for a contraction where Midwife C would be able to reach. I was concerned this may hurt, but once the contraction began, Mommy U did not signal it was any worse than the others. Midwife C said the cervix just melted away from her fingers, and just as that happened, Mommy U’s water popped. It was clear. With that, Mommy U was 10 centimeters and ready to push. For the next contraction, Daddy N climbed back into the tub and sat on the side. He supported Mommy U from behind in a dangling position, so Mommy U was vertical and ready to push.
At about 8:55 pm, the next contraction came and Mommy U could not help but push. She showed so much power and strength, it was really amazing to witness. With that very first push, she could feel burning and you could visibly see her perineal region begin to bulge. It all happened very quickly at this point – Daddy N was supporting from behind, I was in the front, and Midwife C and Apprentice V were on the sides with gloves on. It was literally only a couple of minutes before the baby’s head was completely crowning. Mommy U instinctively reached down and touched it and if I remember correctly, said “My baby.” For me to see this in person was a first. I could see the head with lots of hair and a bit of bloody mucus across the top.
Mommy U continued to push with deep growling sounds, and with a slight heightening of pitch, the head popped out. Midwife C reached in to check for a cord around the neck. Mommy U continued pushing, but it seemed the baby wasn’t progressing out. Mommy U pushed, and she pushed HARD! Midwife C grasped the neck region – I suppose she was checking to see if the shoulders were stuck. For perhaps a minute, the baby was stuck in this position while Mommy U pushed with all her might. It was difficult to watch – I knew the baby should have been at least bobbing with her pushes, but it was stuck like a rock. During this time, the head did rotate ¼ turn so I could see an ear and I told Mommy U I could see this. With the next push, Mommy U really pulled everything out – 110%, and the shoulders both popped out at the same time. My sense from Midwife C’s actions and Mommy U’s hard work was that the shoulders were stuck, but it was Mommy U’s strength that got them out. It was only but one or two more pushes, when a little baby boy was born. Mommy U was immediately reaching as Midwife C brought him up out of the water to her. All the pain and work in Mommy U’s face immediately melted to a mother’s glee. And with that, we heard the first cry.
Welcome Baby Boy M! Born 10/4/06, at 9:00 pm, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and 20.5 inches long.
The rest of the evening was all about little Baby Boy M. He was absolutely perfect. Mommy U bounced back in 2 seconds flat and was her old self again. The placenta came within about 3 minutes and Daddy N cut the cord shortly after that. For a good period of time, Daddy N and Mommy U stayed in the tub and cradled Little Baby Boy M while Midwife C and Apprentice V prepared her bed for the next 24 hours. I manned the video camera and got little Baby Boy M beginning at about 1 minute old. Little Baby Boy M seemed interested in breastfeeding, but wasn’t quite ready yet. The placenta was perfect, and when things were ready, we all made our way upstairs. I assisted the family with settling in by bringing up beverages, making sandwiches, and delivering Mommy U’s first request – cookies! Mommy U snuggled Little Baby Boy M to her breast while Midwife C checked for tears – all clear! Little Baby Boy M received his exam and let out some impressive screams, but settled quickly afterwards once expertly burrito wrapped by Dad. Finally, the new family was settled. Sister E never woke up, despite all the commotion. I said my goodbyes and made plans to visit again in a few days. I walked away exhausted, but on cloud nine because of the beautiful event I had just witnessed. Not only had I seen a new life be born, I’d also seen a mother go to the edge and back during her birth, and I’d seen a father give his all to his family. It left me in awe of birth in a totally new way, and really looking forward to my own.
Mommy U looked relieved to see me. Sister E was still napping (hooray!) so Mommy U and I had the chance to relax together, get situated, and talk things over. I observed several contractions, and it was obvious they required her full attention. She was relaxing well through them in an extended child’s pose and found relief when I pressed on the center of her lower back. I got Mommy U set up with water and juice, and asked about what she’d eaten so far. She had a bowl of cereal and yogurt shortly before I arrived, so I felt comfortable that she was fed (for the moment). I also encouraged a bathroom visit shortly after I arrived.
Mommy U had been estimating when she said her contractions were 10 minutes apart, so after we were settled, I decided we should time a few. We tried a Movie for distraction, but it wasn’t long before Mommy U said she didn’t like the stimulation. We switched to some calming music. After timing contractions for a while, it was apparent they were about 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long. Mommy U couldn’t talk or walk during contractions, but she was still capable of smiling in between. She was also having mild shakes at times. I estimated she was moving into active labor, but wanted to keep watching for a bit. We tried contractions in standing positions and rear-facing in a chair. The chair worked well, so we stayed with that for a while. I also gave her a comb to grasp firmly in her hand, hitting accupressure points that are supposed to relief labor pains. This comb turned into a magic item that Mommy U clutched for the remainder of the birth.
A little before 2 pm, Sister E woke up so I attended to her briefly while Mommy U relaxed on her own. Sister E needed lunch, so I set her up with a bowl of pasta and returned to Mommy U. Daddy N arrived home at around this time, and began many of the house preparations for the birth. He also took over the care of Sister E. Mommy U continued to work with her contractions, sip water and juice, nibble on banana, and change positions. Shortly after 2 pm, I suggested we call Midwife C to give her an update. I made the call and informed her Mommy U’s contractions had been 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long for over an hour, and that they were requiring her absolute concentration and she could not talk through them. I also let her know they were varying a bit in intensity – some far worse than others. Midwife C indicated they would finish up the current appointment she and her assistant (Apprentice V) were at, they would cancel the remaining two appointments, and they would head our way.
At around 3:15 pm, Mommy U vomited. She vomited a lot, from one contraction straight into the next one. All our hard work with the water and food were now in the bucket! Daddy N and I both worked together to support her during this low point. Immediately afterwards, Mommy U was feeling a little better. Her contractions spaced out a bit more, stretching to about 6-8 minutes apart and as short as 30 seconds long. She was enjoying this break. A comfortable position at this point was kneeling and leaning on the couch because she could completely relax into the soft cushions. At times she almost appeared asleep in between…it was very peaceful. By 4:00 pm her contractions were intensifying again to around 4 minutes apart and about 1 minute long. Mommy U began to shake again. I felt at this point she was strongly in active labor.
Midwife C and Apprentice V arrived at around 4:45 pm just as Mommy U’s contractions hit 3 minutes apart and 60-90 seconds long. Mommy U was rear-facing on the toilet at the time, though she was no longer able to urinate. She was working very hard and required constant firm pressure on her back during every contraction. She was starting to moan softly and at some point whispered to me she didn’t think she could do this. I reassured her that she WAS doing it, that she was doing an excellent job, that she had made so much progress, and that she would be meeting her baby very soon. At this point, I felt she was nearing transition.
Daddy N assisted the midwives in setting up. Luckily, Sister E had been a doll and was content to play on her own for much of the afternoon. The midwives rearranged the kitchen, brought in the birth tub, set up equipment, moved things around, and began sterilizing their tools. At around 5:00 pm, Daddy N and I traded places for a while – I took over care of Sister E and he attended to Mommy U. I needed to call Keith and check in with him about our own daughter, and I desperately needed to grab a bite to eat. Sister E and I visited with each other, played for a while, and tried to stay out of the way. Of course, Sister E’s favorite place to play at the moment was the middle of the kitchen floor – not exactly out of the way! I downed some food and prepared to feed Sister E at the same time.
Shortly after we switched, Mommy U vomited very violently again. At 5:45 pm, Mommy U requested a vaginal exam (her first) from Midwife C. Midwife C had just finished telling her she could visibly tell she was in very active labor, and she thought she was at least 5 centimeters. I could see the disappointment on Mommy U’s face at this number, and I admit I thought she was farther along than that. We were all very excited to hear Mommy U was in fact 7.5 centimeters and 90% effaced! She was progressing very well! When asked if she wanted to get in the tub, she exclaimed, YES!
From here on out, I’m not aware of anyone timing Mommy U’s contractions anymore. We just watched her behavior to determine where she was. Mommy U climbed into the tub with Daddy N, Midwife C, and Apprentice V assisting. Daddy N was in the tub with her at times, providing strong physical and emotional support. I continued to care for Sister E while providing some verbal support when Sister E was calm enough for us to be in the room. By 6:30 pm, Sister E was ready for dinner and bed, so Daddy N and I switched roles again – he took over Sister E and I attended to Mommy U. Mommy U was listening to her body and changing positions in the tub frequently. I worked with Apprentice V, switching between being the front person (holding hands and arms, making eye contact, providing verbal support) and back person (applying back pressure). At approximately 7:00 pm, Mommy U said she wanted out of the tub. Apprentice V and I assisted her out, and I guided Mommy U very slowly through the house. In our walk, I was backwards, she was forwards, and she would collapse into me whenever a contraction hit. It was slow but steady progress towards the couch in the living area. Once nearly there, Mommy U suggested she should visit the bathroom again, so we turned around and headed that way.
Once finally in the bathroom, she took up her rear-facing position and things really seemed to get intense for her. Contractions were very close together with little break, and even the breaks appeared painful. Mommy U was also experiencing violent shakes at times. She needed constant touch, and very strong pressure on her back during contractions. Mommy U was really handling everything extremely well – she let each contraction take over and just flowed with it. Her strength was amazing, even when she began to have doubts. The midwives continued to check in and offer encouragement, but for the most part Daddy N and I were supporting her during this time. We continued (always!) to offer sips of energy drink and water. Mommy U never let go of her magic comb either.
After some time on the toilet, Mommy U was expressing self-doubt and Daddy N was giving her encouragement, and she began asking if she could push yet. I’m not sure of the time anymore, perhaps 7:45 pm? I went to Midwife C and Apprentice V with Mommy U’s status – violent shakes and a request to push. Midwife C said she felt Mommy U was getting very close, but she wanted her to breathe through a few more contractions on the toilet and wait for the NEED to push. She felt it would be soon. Midwife C also wanted to know where Mommy U wished to birth, but at this point Mommy U couldn’t really tell us, so they prepared the couch and the birth tub to the correct temperature.
By 8:15 pm (??), Mommy U got up from the toilet and noticed blood. Midwife C said it was a very good sign, and that it meant her cervix was making important changes. We helped Mommy U make her way back to the birth tub. In the tub, Mommy U continued to change positions as we all waited for to feel the urge to push. Daddy N and Midwife C accompanied Mommy U, while Apprentice V and I took a short break in the other room. After just a few minutes however, I could look to Mommy U and see in her eyes – she needed me. As I came back into the room, Daddy N (who was also in the tub) told me Mommy U was asking for my help. I took up position in front of her so I could hold her hands and arms, lock eyes with her, give her verbal encouragement, and be a firm rock. Mommy U was working for every second now. She clutched the comb, squeezing it in her hands, biting it, and running it through her hair in between contractions. It seemed to give her strength. After some time, she requested I switch to press on her back, so Daddy N took up position in the front.
Midwife C suggested Mommy U try a squatting position with the next contraction. She suggested it would move the baby down lower in her pelvis. For the next series of contractions, Daddy N pulled Mommy U up into the squat as I pushed from behind. Getting a good angle on Mommy U’s lower back was difficult with her in a squat, but it was still very important to her comfort so I kept it up. At one point, Midwife C tried to take Mommy U’s comb away so she could grab on to the side of the tub, but Mommy U whimpered and wouldn’t let it go. The comb had to stay! In between contractions, Mommy U would relax back against the side of the tub and I would run my fingers through her hair. She was doing such a fantastic job and we all knew she was soooo close! At one point, Midwife C suggested Mommy U reach down and feel the baby’s head. Mommy U could feel it, and it was very close, but she felt something was in the way. Midwife C decided to come in to check.
At 8:47 pm, Midwife C confirmed Mommy U was 10 centimeters, but that she had a lip of cervix still near the baby’s head. A cervical lip had held up Mommy U during the birth of her daughter, so this wasn’t great news for her. Midwife C suggested that after another contraction, she would try holding the cervix back to see if it would slip out of the way. We prepared Mommy U for a contraction where Midwife C would be able to reach. I was concerned this may hurt, but once the contraction began, Mommy U did not signal it was any worse than the others. Midwife C said the cervix just melted away from her fingers, and just as that happened, Mommy U’s water popped. It was clear. With that, Mommy U was 10 centimeters and ready to push. For the next contraction, Daddy N climbed back into the tub and sat on the side. He supported Mommy U from behind in a dangling position, so Mommy U was vertical and ready to push.
At about 8:55 pm, the next contraction came and Mommy U could not help but push. She showed so much power and strength, it was really amazing to witness. With that very first push, she could feel burning and you could visibly see her perineal region begin to bulge. It all happened very quickly at this point – Daddy N was supporting from behind, I was in the front, and Midwife C and Apprentice V were on the sides with gloves on. It was literally only a couple of minutes before the baby’s head was completely crowning. Mommy U instinctively reached down and touched it and if I remember correctly, said “My baby.” For me to see this in person was a first. I could see the head with lots of hair and a bit of bloody mucus across the top.
Mommy U continued to push with deep growling sounds, and with a slight heightening of pitch, the head popped out. Midwife C reached in to check for a cord around the neck. Mommy U continued pushing, but it seemed the baby wasn’t progressing out. Mommy U pushed, and she pushed HARD! Midwife C grasped the neck region – I suppose she was checking to see if the shoulders were stuck. For perhaps a minute, the baby was stuck in this position while Mommy U pushed with all her might. It was difficult to watch – I knew the baby should have been at least bobbing with her pushes, but it was stuck like a rock. During this time, the head did rotate ¼ turn so I could see an ear and I told Mommy U I could see this. With the next push, Mommy U really pulled everything out – 110%, and the shoulders both popped out at the same time. My sense from Midwife C’s actions and Mommy U’s hard work was that the shoulders were stuck, but it was Mommy U’s strength that got them out. It was only but one or two more pushes, when a little baby boy was born. Mommy U was immediately reaching as Midwife C brought him up out of the water to her. All the pain and work in Mommy U’s face immediately melted to a mother’s glee. And with that, we heard the first cry.
Welcome Baby Boy M! Born 10/4/06, at 9:00 pm, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and 20.5 inches long.
The rest of the evening was all about little Baby Boy M. He was absolutely perfect. Mommy U bounced back in 2 seconds flat and was her old self again. The placenta came within about 3 minutes and Daddy N cut the cord shortly after that. For a good period of time, Daddy N and Mommy U stayed in the tub and cradled Little Baby Boy M while Midwife C and Apprentice V prepared her bed for the next 24 hours. I manned the video camera and got little Baby Boy M beginning at about 1 minute old. Little Baby Boy M seemed interested in breastfeeding, but wasn’t quite ready yet. The placenta was perfect, and when things were ready, we all made our way upstairs. I assisted the family with settling in by bringing up beverages, making sandwiches, and delivering Mommy U’s first request – cookies! Mommy U snuggled Little Baby Boy M to her breast while Midwife C checked for tears – all clear! Little Baby Boy M received his exam and let out some impressive screams, but settled quickly afterwards once expertly burrito wrapped by Dad. Finally, the new family was settled. Sister E never woke up, despite all the commotion. I said my goodbyes and made plans to visit again in a few days. I walked away exhausted, but on cloud nine because of the beautiful event I had just witnessed. Not only had I seen a new life be born, I’d also seen a mother go to the edge and back during her birth, and I’d seen a father give his all to his family. It left me in awe of birth in a totally new way, and really looking forward to my own.
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