After weeks of nonstop contractions, multiple trips to the hospital to stop them, and the joys of having a very low baby, it was finally time to have a baby! My client was checked at 10:00 am this morning and was 4 cm. The midwife swept her membranes and told her to come back in a couple hours, so she and her husband took a drive around town.
We all gathered at the birth center at noon, and mom was now 6 cm! She decided to have the midwife break her water at 12:10. Baby was already at plus 2 station (had actually been there for a few weeks!) and she was 90% effaced. We chatted for a few minutes, but it didn't take long for the contractions to become intense. We turned on Simon and Garfunkel, and worked on breathing and focusing.
We decorated the room with some birth affirmations cards. They were so pretty and inspiring!
At 1:15 mom got in the tub and said "Woah, it really does help!" She also kept asking if she was in transition. :) She was.
Dad offered support by rubbing mom's back. This was her third child, but his first, and he was very excited/anxious/nervous, as most dads are the first time around!
Around 1:50 mom started to feel the urge to push. She said she couldn't do it, which always means she is about to do it!
She was very controlled and instinctual. She might not believe me, but she was!
At 2:o1, this little "nugget" (as they referred to him during her pregnancy) slipped into the world. Covered in vernix with the cutest cone head ever. Dad helped catch, and baby started crying right away.
I love this photo! Mom's face says it all.
Dad got some skin-to-skin bonding time while mom delivered the placenta.
Robert Cash
Born Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016
7 pounds 8 ounces
19 inches long
By 2:45, baby was nursing and everyone was tucked in bed.
A beautiful, fast, and powerful birth! His big brothers can't wait to meet him and celebrate Thanksgiving as a complete family. :)