At 11:30 pm, mom was ready to get into the water. It brought some needed relief. I could see the intensity building and I encouraged mom to allow the changes to come. It can be overwhelming when labor progresses so quickly, and surrendering to the experience can be difficult. She got in control of her breathing, and by 11:50 pm she was starting to grunt during contractions.
The midwife in this photo was sorority sisters with this mom back in college, and it was fun to see their relationship during this experience. Birth has a long history of women taking care of each other, and birth is more successful when women feel safe and supported. I first met this midwife when she was training to be a doula, and it was really great seeing her now as a competent and compassionate midwife. She has found her calling. The midwife below also started as a doula, and she and I became internet friends before she even moved to Boise. So basically, it was a really awesome group of people to be around, and I just love working alongside such amazing women.
Ok, back to the birth...
Pushing didn't take long this time. (Last time we were lunging and doing all sorts of things to encourage baby #1 out. Baby #2 didn't need any help at all!) This little one was a little tangled up in the umbilical cord, and quickly slipped into the world at 12:02 am. She needed a couple puffs of oxygen, as water birth babies tend to transition a little slower, but she couldn't have been cuter!
After a couple minutes of snuggling, it was time to get mom out of the water. She was bleeding a little too much and needed a couple shots of pitocin. She was also freezing! It wasn't an easy walk to the bedroom, but by 12:25 everything was under control and everyone was tucked in bed for the first nursing session. And just like last time, mom snacked on orange slices and La Croix.
Dad snuck in a few minutes of snuggling, too! He was a great support during both births, and it was easy to see how much he loved his family. These two are such a great team. Running a business and raising a family together.
Welcome Sylvia! Born Thursday, April 22nd at 12:02 am. Weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces.
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