Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wendy - a midwife trainee's - account of Jake's birth
Jacob’s Birth Story
It was a beautiful summer day when I got the call from my midwife preceptor, Mary. She said she was at Dana’s house and would I like to join them for the birth? I was excited because I had seen Dana in clinic numerous times and I knew she would have an entertaining birth.
When I arrived, I found Mary and Noel in the kitchen with Dana just cresting the stairs from the basement, cursing Mary for making her do them 2 at a time. When she reached the upstairs landing she stopped with a strong contraction. She was certain Mary had put in a “trick stair” because every time she stepped on it she got a wicked contraction – much worse than the rest.
Once climbing the stairs had lost its glamour, Dana moved downstairs where the temperature was cooler. The bed and pool were set up and ready to go. Dana laboured standing with Noel for support. She was very concerned her insides were going to fall right out. We reassured her there was nothing hanging out and all her insides would remain inside. Things seemed like they were progressing well so Noel filled the pool. We had Dana sit on the toilet for a few contractions to help move the baby down and allow her to empty her bladder.
Noel was a great coach. His positive, loving and encouraging words helped Dana through each contraction. He was quick to remove his hands with Dana’s “too hot” and quick to cool Dana with a cloth to her forehead.
Dana moved into the pool which was good and bad. The water felt great for the pain but she was “so fucking hot!!” She laboured on her hands and knees and on her back. I would turn the flashlight on her perineum when she seemed to be pushing to see if any of the baby’s head was showing. Each time I clicked the flashlight off Noel would give me a look like “see anything?” and I would subtly shake my head “not yet”. Luba, the second midwife, arrived during this time because we knew Dana would be having her baby soon.
After having great progress in the pool, we moved Dana to the bed for the final stretch (so to speak). We put Noel behind Dana so she could lean on him and get the leverage needed to push Jacob out. Dana did a great job pushing Jake’s head out slowly. From there it was a little sticky so Mary asked Dana to flip over on all fours. I’m sure Dana was thinking “are you fucking kidding me? There is a head between my legs!” None-the-less she flipped over very quickly and we were able to release Jacob’s shoulder letting the rest of him slide out.
As an aside, Noel had made it very clear prior to the birth that he was a little squeamish. He wanted no part of visualizing the head coming out, cutting the cord, examining the placenta or anything else that may involve “that end” or “goo” or “fluid”. We had deliberately placed Noel behind Dana with this in mind. Even with all our strategic planning, apparently when Dana flipped over there was some “goo” that leaked onto Noel’s bare leg. Noel was a trooper calming himself, quietly thinking “it’s ok, it might just be water, I’m ok, I’m ok”. The goo was overshadowed by Jacob who was now resting on Dana’s chest and saying hello to his mom and dad but as soon as we let Noel out from behind Dana he dashed for the bathroom to remove the offending liquid.
Jacob tested out his new lungs with a few good cries to let us know he was doing well. He was a healthy 9 pound baby boy. Comments were made about his large head and gigantic scrotum. Dana required a few stitches then Jacob was put to the breast where he lazily fed.
Dana and Noel were thrilled with the birth. I believe their exact words were “look …we had a baby and we’re still at home!” Dana was very appreciative us (the midwives) but felt we have a weird occupation. She said, “Don’t get me wrong I’m glad you’re here but you sit around in peoples’ houses and watch their crotch until a baby comes out – that’s messed up!” I guess it is a little messed up when you put it that way but what an amazing experience to have the privilege to been a part of.
Happy Birthday Jacob!
Thanks Dana and Noel for allowing me to be a part of your birth.
Wendy Wood
It was a beautiful summer day when I got the call from my midwife preceptor, Mary. She said she was at Dana’s house and would I like to join them for the birth? I was excited because I had seen Dana in clinic numerous times and I knew she would have an entertaining birth.
When I arrived, I found Mary and Noel in the kitchen with Dana just cresting the stairs from the basement, cursing Mary for making her do them 2 at a time. When she reached the upstairs landing she stopped with a strong contraction. She was certain Mary had put in a “trick stair” because every time she stepped on it she got a wicked contraction – much worse than the rest.
Once climbing the stairs had lost its glamour, Dana moved downstairs where the temperature was cooler. The bed and pool were set up and ready to go. Dana laboured standing with Noel for support. She was very concerned her insides were going to fall right out. We reassured her there was nothing hanging out and all her insides would remain inside. Things seemed like they were progressing well so Noel filled the pool. We had Dana sit on the toilet for a few contractions to help move the baby down and allow her to empty her bladder.
Noel was a great coach. His positive, loving and encouraging words helped Dana through each contraction. He was quick to remove his hands with Dana’s “too hot” and quick to cool Dana with a cloth to her forehead.
Dana moved into the pool which was good and bad. The water felt great for the pain but she was “so fucking hot!!” She laboured on her hands and knees and on her back. I would turn the flashlight on her perineum when she seemed to be pushing to see if any of the baby’s head was showing. Each time I clicked the flashlight off Noel would give me a look like “see anything?” and I would subtly shake my head “not yet”. Luba, the second midwife, arrived during this time because we knew Dana would be having her baby soon.
After having great progress in the pool, we moved Dana to the bed for the final stretch (so to speak). We put Noel behind Dana so she could lean on him and get the leverage needed to push Jacob out. Dana did a great job pushing Jake’s head out slowly. From there it was a little sticky so Mary asked Dana to flip over on all fours. I’m sure Dana was thinking “are you fucking kidding me? There is a head between my legs!” None-the-less she flipped over very quickly and we were able to release Jacob’s shoulder letting the rest of him slide out.
As an aside, Noel had made it very clear prior to the birth that he was a little squeamish. He wanted no part of visualizing the head coming out, cutting the cord, examining the placenta or anything else that may involve “that end” or “goo” or “fluid”. We had deliberately placed Noel behind Dana with this in mind. Even with all our strategic planning, apparently when Dana flipped over there was some “goo” that leaked onto Noel’s bare leg. Noel was a trooper calming himself, quietly thinking “it’s ok, it might just be water, I’m ok, I’m ok”. The goo was overshadowed by Jacob who was now resting on Dana’s chest and saying hello to his mom and dad but as soon as we let Noel out from behind Dana he dashed for the bathroom to remove the offending liquid.
Jacob tested out his new lungs with a few good cries to let us know he was doing well. He was a healthy 9 pound baby boy. Comments were made about his large head and gigantic scrotum. Dana required a few stitches then Jacob was put to the breast where he lazily fed.
Dana and Noel were thrilled with the birth. I believe their exact words were “look …we had a baby and we’re still at home!” Dana was very appreciative us (the midwives) but felt we have a weird occupation. She said, “Don’t get me wrong I’m glad you’re here but you sit around in peoples’ houses and watch their crotch until a baby comes out – that’s messed up!” I guess it is a little messed up when you put it that way but what an amazing experience to have the privilege to been a part of.
Happy Birthday Jacob!
Thanks Dana and Noel for allowing me to be a part of your birth.
Wendy Wood
# posted by Dana Corkey @ 9:46 AM 
