MUSIC BIRTH STORIES: Sunrise

Yesterday my client had her weekly appointment with her midwife. I decided to join her since I figured they would start talking induction options now that she was almost 41 weeks. The midwife suggested a non-stress test. If only it hadn't been stressful! Baby's heart rate was not cooperating, and within a couple hours, mom was sent to the hospital for further testing.

Hoping for an out-of-hospital VBAC, this wasn't the path my client wanted. But she kept her chin up, and remembered some inspiring words from her friend, reminding her of God's timing, comparing it to how the sunrise always comes when it's time. By early evening, mom was admitted to the hospital for an induction due to low amniotic fluid.

At 8 pm her midwife checked her cervix and she was dilated to 1 cm. The midwife was able to insert a foley bulb to encourage the cervix to ripen and dilate through the night. Mom was given a sleep aid, which didn't work, but at least the bulb did! By 8 am, mom was dilated to 4 cm and pitocin was started shortly after.

Mom and I kept in touch over text all morning. She spent time walking and watching tv. I arrived shortly before 1:00 and mom was just about to get in the tub.

I turned on some relaxing music and helped mom breath through her contractions. We experimented with a couple positions because it was difficult to trace the baby's heart rate. The nurse was in and out constantly, but mom was able to stay focused and relaxed. After an hour in the tub, it was too hard to tell if the monitor was picking up mom or baby's heart beat, so we got mom out of the tub to reassess.

At 2:10 the midwife arrived and checked mom's cervix, and she was complete! Amazing progress! Baby was at zero station, so we did a modified hands and knees position over the birth ball to encourage descent, and hopefully offer mom some comfort through massage.

The midwife wondered if the low amniotic fluid was contributing to the heart rate issues, and wanted to give an amnio-infusion to try and give the baby a little more cushion. To do so she needed to break the bag of water. She did this at 2:35, and then found that there was meconium in the water. The baby was starting to have more dramatic heart decels, so instead of breathing the baby down, it was time to start pushing!

Mom was a great pusher, and within 20 minutes, baby went from 0 station to +3. Pushing is so much work, and I always encourage my clients to rest and relax in between contractions.

Mom rotated from side to side often during pushing. This helps baby rotate into a better position, and can also help when the heart rate is dropping.

It's hard to watch the woman you love struggle through labor, and this dad was definitely emotional. But he was a great support, holding mom's leg and cheering her on the entire time.

At 3:30, the baby's heart rate finally decided to cooperate, and we could even see the head during contractions. Mom was starting to get frustrated with the slow progress, but she was making great progress!

Baby was so close, and at 3:52 mom pleaded "Just pull it out!" Three minutes later, she had a baby!

They didn't know if they were having a boy or a girl, and mom was first to notice! She only held him for a second before he was taken over to the NICU nurses. He was pretty quiet, and we all waited anxiously for that first cry.