Cesarean: Epidural: Natural.

I met this great couple years ago, when I was just starting my business in Boise.  I was so excited when they hired me to be their doula for their second birth, as their first birth was a cesarean.  I always plan for a long birth with a VBAC, so I was pretty shocked to only spend 6 hours with them when they had baby #2.  Today they had baby #3!  I had the privilege of supporting them again.  I knew it would be quick!

Mom had an OB appointment this morning, and felt fine before she got there.  She found out she was already dilated to almost 5 cm!  And by the time she got home from her appointment, she was feeling it, and quickly headed to the hospital.  She arrived at 11:30, and I got there at noon.  She was 6 cm, and coping great with her contractions.

After about 20 minutes I could tell things were really starting to intensify for her.  She asked for some IV pain meds, but never got them because she progressed too quickly!  She breathed deeply and vocalized to get through her contractions.  She was amazing!  By the time the orders came in for her pain meds, she was dilated to 9 cm and it was too late.  

Mom received an epidural with #2, and has now experienced every type of birth.

#1 Cesarean

#2 Successful VBAC with epidural

#3 Successful VBAC, all natural

She can now relate to every woman out there!

Vivian.

Born March 26th, 1:11 pm

7 pounds, 14.5 ounces

Look at those squishy cheeks and pretty lips!  What a beauty.

Dad works out of town, for several weeks at a time.  Everyone was so glad that he came home yesterday, and was able to be here for the birth!  

And the best news is he has TWO MONTHS OFF to stay home with his wife and 3 beautiful daughters.  I have a feeling they are all going to love these 2 months all together.

Too cute!

I think 71 minutes after my arrival is a new record!  

Congratulations to a great family!

New Class Schedule

Happily, I am coming out of my post-baby fog quicker than I had anticipated.  :)  So I have decided to offer a class before the new year.  This class will be held in my home, and you will need to call me directly if you would like to attend.  Here is my class schedule for the next 6 months.  Hope to see you soon!

Upcoming Dates :

Wednesday, November 28th.  7 to 10 pm

(This class will be held in my home.  

Call 376-3917 to register.)

Tuesday, February 5th

St. Als, 6-9 pm

Tuesday, March 26th

St. Als, 6-9 pm

Tuesday. May 13th

St. Als, 6-9 pm

Rapid Transit

Almost 3 years ago I had the honor of supporting this couple with their first child.  

(Click here to read that post)

Their first birth was long, and discouraging at times.  I really wondered what we were all in for today!  I knew she was being induced this morning.  She was dilated 2 cm last week at her appointment, and when she arrived at the hospital this morning she was 4 cm!  So things already started out way ahead of last time.

At about 10:20, mom started to feel pain with the contractions, and at 10:55 she decided to have her water broken.  This made the contractions become much more intense very quickly.  She stayed in the bed and I massaged her feet.

Like most laboring women, this mom felt hot often.  Here her husband fans her with my fancy, dollar store fan.  :)  I use it more than any other tool!  Mom was also nauseous, and since she threw up several times with baby #1, we were prepared.  But after the peppermint essential oil filled the air, the feeling passed.  Woohoo!  

Mom was having alot of "extra-curricular" pain in her hips, back and legs. This was caused from the baby's head pressing on her low back.  To ease this, I filled up an empty rolling pin with ice water, and rubbed it up and down her back.  Double bonus, it helped keep her cool too.  The hands and knees position also helped.

Mom was checked again at 1:20 and was 5 cm.  I could tell that both mom and dad were hoping for more progress.  It was looking like maybe this birth was going to take as long as the first one afterall.  At 1:30 mom decided to get an epidural, and at 2:00 she decided to nap.

At 3:12 the nurse came in to check mom, and she was COMPLETE!  

Hello fast!

Then at 3:25, Luke Andrew rapidly entered the world!

7 pounds 4 oz

19 1/2 inches long

This cutie pie did not want to cry.  But because he came out so quickly and had heart decels during the birth, he was taken to the NICU for a short time.  

I still can't believe how quickly this little guy made his grand entrance.  What a difference from last time!  Once he came back from the NICU, he nursed like a champ.

Congratulations!  It was a wonderful birth, and I was so happy to be there.

Where Have I Been?

Instead of attending births, I have been preparing for my own birth.  :)

I was fortunate to spend a sunny evening with Brittany Hobbs.  She captured my pregnancy beautifully!  We had such a great time.  And don't you just LOVE the belly poking through the branches?  (Below)

Brittany is wife, mother, Radio DJ, photographer, and Postpartum Doula in Training!  

To see all my photos, head to her website:

http://brittanyhobbsphotography.com/

And be sure to check back here in June to see shots of my newest little guy!

Race ya!

Doesn't this woman look WAY too pretty to be in labor?! :) I think so, too. But she was. I got my heads up call at 4:00 pm. Her contractions were about 10 to 15 minutes apart, and she had her membranes stripped earlier that afternoon. Since her first baby came quickly, I knew that once she got on a roll, it wouldn't be long. And by 5:30, she and her husband were heading to the hospital.

Upon arrival she was 4 cm dilated, so spent an hour walking the halls to see if she could kick herself into active labor. When that didn't work, she was quickly offered an array of interventions. Which was a little overwhelming. They asked for some time to think things over, and I met up with them at 7:30 pm.

Deciding on an intervention is extremely difficult, to say the least. Their midwife offered to break her water. One reason why I like this intervention is because it is going to happen naturally anyway. It really can get the hormones revved up enough to kick things into high gear and get the job done. It doesn't enter anything into the bloodstream, and almost always gives the outcome you want. But it is a huge decision because there is no turning back. If it doesn't work, you have no choice but to turn to pitocin. So after deliberating for another hour, mom decided to go ahead and have her water broken at 8:15.

Since it was her second baby, I knew she may quickly jump into strong contractions. So once the water was broken, we turned on the music and focused on relaxation. That way her mind would be caught up with her body, which makes labor alot less overwhelming. Instantly she commented that the music was very helpful. It only took about 15 minutes for the contractions to become powerful. She walked the halls a little and spent some time on the birth ball. To help the baby's heart rate, she spent most of her labor in bed, on her left side. She stayed so focused and vocalized through each contraction.

With my 3rd baby, I also had my water broken. And my son was born less than 2 1/2 hours later! I thought it was kind of a record, but I'm pretty sure this mom beat me!

Pushing began at 10:27, and at 10:37 mom reached down and delivered her own son.

Baby Escher. 7 pounds 13 ounces

Both dad and I noticed that this little guy had a big mouth. :) And he knew how to use it.

Started nursing all on his own after a few snuggles with mom.

Congratulations to such a sweet couple! Thank you for sharing your birth!

My husband and I recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary by taking a trip to beautiful Belize. Once we booked our tickets, a past client of mine contacted me to let me know she was due the day after we left! I didn't think there was any hope of me attending her birth, but she politely waited until I had been home for several days. :)

Her last birth (http://musicbirth.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html) was about 25 months ago, and she was going for a VBAC. It was a long and tiring night. We spent about 12 hours together, that ended in a successful vaginal birth. I figured this VBAC would go smoother and quicker, but I had no idea it would be as fast as it was!

Mom texted me at 3:20 am saying her water had just broken! We met up at the hospital an hour later. She was coping wonderfully with her contractions. She was listening to Christian music and leaning on the counter. I could tell that her labor was progressing very quickly. She moved to the birth ball and vocalized a prayer during her contractions. Being a Christian as well, I was moved deeply by this beautiful moment.

The urge to push appeared well before the doctor did. And even though there was a floating OB just outside the door, she was told to wait. (Don't even get me started on this topic! RIDICULOUS!) When the correct OB finally appeared we barely got mom on the bed (in hands and knees position) just in time for this to happen...

One contraction and not a single tear later, this beautiful girl entered the world.

It was only 5:45 am!

7 pounds, 8 ounces

While it's nice for mom to not have to push a long time, it doesn't give the baby as much time to transition to breathing. And this little one was struggling a bit. After several minutes it was decided that she would be taken to the NICU. :( Not exactly what you expect with a flawless birth. Mom got to hold her for several seconds before they were separated.

Turns out, she does have an infection and will be spending over a week in the NICU. Poor little thing! So mom is busy pumping, and making it work!

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