What's it like at a HomeBirth?

What's it like at a HomeBirth?


I get "the call" at 12:10pm...do I wanna attend a birth today?

Heck yes, I do!

Phone calls are made for kids

a quick shower (like 5 minutes!)

I grab my doula bag, the birth ball

a pack of crackers

one of Mr. W's ice-cold Cola-products

and I am out the door

by 12:30.



I arrive just at 1pm.



The house is busy but relaxed.

Mama-to-Be (A.) is hanging out in the kitchen

smiling, chatting with a friend.

I get briefed by the Midwife

Contractions are 10 minutes apart

A. is 4 cm dilated.



Birth Assistant, Emily motions to me

We have work to do

we get the bedroom ready for

Birth.



We cover the sheets with a plastic liner

in this case it's a new shower curtain liner.

Light purple and shiny.

Then we place another sheet set over that.

And lay a couple of Chux pads down.

We want to keep everything as clean as possible.

Then we fluff the pillows

and fold over the bedcover at the end of the bed.

That's done.



Next, we get the birth kit ready.

We place infant receiving blankets

infant caps

and

the "I was born at home"

tshirt in the infant tub

and cover it with a heating pad.

We want it all to be warm for baby.



We prepare all the instruments

by putting them in a large pot on the stove

and boil them for 20 minutes.



We fill a bowl with ice

and water

and a washcloth

for Mama A.

It'll feel good to her

while she's working so hard in labor

to have a cool cloth on her forehead and neck and shoulders.



We fill a crockpot

with water

and fresh ginger slices

and a washcloth.

Warm compresses

for Mama A. to help

with perineum care after birth.

The ginger helps with swelling.



We get out the O2 tanks

check the regulator and the settings.

We check the Midwife's bag

to make sure she has everything plus some.

Gloves, gauze pads, herbs and tinctures,

it's all in there. Whatever she needs.



We set up the bathroom for Mama A.

We pour witch-hazel on sanitary pads

and put them in a ziplock bag

and tuck them in the freezer.

TO be used by Mama A. after birth

again for swelling and comfort.



We pre-make the Gele' bottle

make sure there are fresh towels

all for Mama A.



We check the Labor tub

the air pressure is low

so we add more air

the water temp is 104o

so we add cool water.

We want it to feel just right

for Mama A.

We check the temp again

Perfect.



Family and Friends

arrive and fill the house with

chatter and excitement

"How's it going?"

"how far along?"

"Is she really in labor?"



Once the set-up is complete

we decide to give the family some time

to just be.

So we leave to go grab a bite to eat

nearby.

Contractions are steady but easy for Mama A.

there's no sense in us just being there.

This is their day.



We climb in the car together

and collectively get on the

same page as we head to

Olive Garden.

We get seated

get our glasses of water with lemon

Place our orders

laugh that we all ordered

the same. exact. thing.

Then the Midwife's cell phone rings!

We hold our breath while reaching for our purses.

We hear her say,

"Yes? How long ago? Was it clear?"

Her water broke.

We won't be staying for lunch afterall.

We cancel the order and head back

to the Mama.

It's 2:20pm.



The mood has changed in the house

when we return.

Mama is now subdued

and her family & friends' moods follow her.



She is focused and breathing

but still smiling.

Her many coaches

encourage

praise

love her.



We give her

many

many

many

drinks.



After a few contractions

she goes to the bathroom

We want her to keep her bladder empty

to give the baby room to move down.



A few more contractions

and verbal cues from Mama

we know she is in transition...

she gets in the warm comforting waters

of the Labor pool...

and her face relaxes

her shoulders drop

as she melts into the water.



Because she is so relaxed

the contractions come quicker

as she breathes thru each one

she decides that leaning on the side of the pool

with her arms

and knees under her

is a great position

so she continues to

breathe with each wave of her uterus.



I am charting each contraction

every two minutes...

while the Midwife listens to fetal heart tones

and Emily checks Mama A.'s vitals.

It's all good.



Mama is leading us all...

she is the center of our world right now

She and her Baby...

Papa M. has come more into action--

it is his voice she wants to hear

his hands she wants to feel

his eyes she looks to for truth

and encouragement.

Her friends rub her shoulders

and arms with aromatherapy lotion

that fills her head with relaxing scents

of lavendar and eucalyptus.



At 3:10 Mama A. lets out a grunt...

and we all smile...

spontaneous pushing!

Yea! She needs no counting or coaching to push

as she listens and obeys her body.

Each wave brings her baby closer to her arms

Mama A. is working hard

those cool compresses are welcomed.



Family and friends are One with the rest of us.

I sit on the only available edge of the bed

and chart chart chart

each heart tone

each grimace

each word Mama says.



Mama decides to use the

Birthing Stool.

Standing in the pool

she says

"It feels so good to stand up!"

Papa covers her with a big warm towel

and she sits on the stool

with her dear friend behind her for support

and the Midwife and Papa at her knees.

Papa is going to catch the baby

with the Midwife's guidance.



Two contractions and

we see the head clearly!

"You're doing great, Mama!"

"Push past the Pain, Push past it!"

She listens and give one huge push--

our own faces are twisted

and teeth are gritted

with hers...

And there's a baby face!

One more push

and there's the rest!

3:41pm.



Mama's face says it all:

Lit up like the 4th of July!

Pure relief rushes over her body.

The Midwife is taking care of Mama A.

Emily is checking out the baby while

kneeling next to Mama A. & Baby.

The cord is still attached and will be for awhile.



The placenta delivers within 10 minutes

then we place the placenta in a bag

and Papa gets to hold his

Son.



We help Mama to the bed.

More drinks.

I am still charting

every single thing.

Baby is getting his first meal.



After Baby has nursed

and Mama has rested for an hour

she gets to the bathroom with help.

Papa is singing "Elmo's Song" to his son.



We quickly start to transform

the bedroom~

let the air out of the labor tub

put away all the "Stuff"

change the bedsheets back to normal.

Since the baby wasn't delivered on the bed

the sheets are not even messed.

But we put them in the washer anyway.



We move

move

move

quickly

to get it all put away--with the mantra

"leave no trace that a baby was born here"

we want it spotless.



The Baby Exam time arrives

and together Emily and the Midwife

do the accessment together

while I am still charting.

It's time to weigh this boy!

"What do ya think?" comes out the cue

"7.4" "7.10" I say "7.7"

Emily places the baby on the scale

6.10 !!

Wow! yea!

Who cares?--He's beautiful!!



It's Mama's turn for an exam

Uterus is firm

a small slight tear that will heal

perfectly on it's own

with rest and comfort

Mama's face is relaxed and alert.

"I'm so glad I'm home."



We make Papa some food

and a friend makes a run to

Qdoba

for Mama A. who has decided she is

ready for some good food!

Family and Friends leave.



It's time to go.

We tuck the family into bed

and close the door.



We go back to the car.

Tired.

Satisfied.

Go back to Olive Garden

and review the Birth.

Hugs.

Home.



Little tears

are caught on my cheek

as I drive home.

I just saw a miracle today.