9/19/11 at 8:54 pm

So yesterday, with my amazing preceptor, I caught my first baby! The mom was in labor for less than four hours from first contraction to the birth of the placenta. She was so calm and peaceful I felt at total ease at her birth. She barely made a sound and was very internal with her labor with the loving support of her partner by her side.

My midwife was great. She guided me on what to do when the baby was crowning and after the head was born. The baby came out perfectly OA and then immediately rotated into an ROA position. The dad held the baby, skin to skin, while we waited patiently for the cord to stop pulsating before cutting it.

Let me just say, hands down, that was the most amazing experience of my entire life. I got to hold a baby that was coming into the world before anyone else! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT! It was beyond words.

On my way home I called my mom to tell her my exciting news and I woke up to this vague posting on my Facebook wall. Nice! Hopefully, it won't be my last...

Some random HBAC in Lakeland....

Last night around 10:30 I was sitting in front of my computer about to watch a movie on Netflix (when I should have been studying for my chemistry exam) and my phone rang. It was a number I didn't know but being a student midwife/doula I've learned to always answer my phone. The woman on the other line starts talking about how she got my number from my friend who goes to FSTM and I immediately got annoyed, "seriously, it's 10pm on a weeknight and a woman is calling me about doula services, how rude." As soon as that thought entered my mind the woman continues by telling me she's a licensed midwife and needs an assistant to meet her at a planned home birth after cesarean (HBAC) in Lakeland. A quick shower and an hour drive later I was at a home birth with a midwife I'd never heard of and a woman I'd never met.

When I got there the mom was already ruptured and upon vaginal exam at midnight she was at 3cm. Around 2am she was 4cm and at 4am she was complete and pushing. The baby was born, in the water, at 4:42am.

The mom had a previous cesarean six years ago because of twins and at 36 weeks this pregnancy her doctor told her she couldn't have a trial of labor and would be required to have another cesarean. The mom knew she didn't want another cesarean and sought out a midwife at 37 weeks and delivered vaginally, at home at 41 weeks and 4 days. Holding her newborn, the mom laughed that she was going to send her OB a picture of the baby to hang on the bulletin board in her office. Good call.

I think it's pretty cool how unique and tight knit the birth community can be. In a few phone calls and you can find a midwife/doula/birth assistant for any birth at any time. How awesome is that?

Busy being busy

I feel like I am busy all the time, yet nothing is getting accomplished! I've been to some great births lately that I have neglected to blog about (so much for new years resolutions...).

Two VBAC moms that were incredible. They worked so hard to get their babies out at home but unfortunately both had repeat cesareans- not from lack of trying! I believe that babies are born just how they need to be born. A detour is not a shortcut, especially with these two moms. They worked so hard it was incredible to be apart of their journeys.

A home birth for a first time mom that went great! She labored so well and pushed like a champion.

Finally, a late add on doula client who labored at home for over 24 hours before we arrived at the hospital. A couple of hours on the monitors showed late decelerations. AROM revealed thick meconium and soon a fetal bradicardia that never recover above the mid-70's, even after an amnioinfusion and multiple change of positions. A timely cesarean was performed and revealed tight double nucal cord with the cord continuing to wrap around the baby down to his little foot! Once mom and baby were reunited he was nursing like a champ with an amasing suckle! It was great to be at a certified baby friendly hospital for this birth because I know the mom is going to get great breastfeeding support! She was in recovery after the surgery for several hours and they didn't even push forumla on the dad, truly a blessing.

So even though birth doesn't always go as intended, every experience can be positive and beautiful. I hope all the moms I get to make the journey with come away from their births feeling empowered because they are all strong and amazing women.