Journal from The "Miami Midwife"
Moma, Papa and soon to be three...
Ahhh…What a beautiful morning!!!
About The "Miami Midwife's" Journals
Periodically I feature a different birth, recording my activities and visits with the mother and family right up to the actual delivery. If you would like to be featured, join The Spirit of Life Traditional Midwifery Community and submit a journal request!
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Day 1 | Saturday
Evening
The evening before (on Saturday night) this momma called to say she was leaking some fluid. And she was very sure it was amniotic fluid, not pee!!... clear fluid, no odor other than a salty smell…baby active, light cramps. I suggested she get some rest in preparation for labor & birth. I did the same, sleeping lightly but well throughout the night.
Day 2 | Sunday
6:30am
The phone rang at around 6:30am, her husband calling (calmly) to report that the momma was vomiting and was that ok?? We chatted for a few minutes, (I gave him info to help him determine that the vomiting was normal)…then my mind woke up quick… vomiting….ummm - so I asked him if the momma was having surges (contractions – since I had not heard from then through the night). His reply was yes. I asked how often, he did not know, but would check and call me back. I got up and started dressing. Fifteen minutes later he called (his voice a little more shaken)…surges every 3-4 minutes!! Holy cow….did he not remember the 511 (every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, going on for one hour – I need to be there!!).
6:40am
I could now hear her beautiful birth song in the background- the sounds were quite vocal!! I told papa was on my way. And now I thought again about the vomiting…Midwives get happy when women vomit in labor – it moves the last bit of cervix out of the way!! I called the assistant (thank goodness she lived a bit closer to the birthing momma); I gave her the update (talking very fast), and left my house (pedal to the metal).
6:45am
Thank goodness it was Sunday morning – NO TRAFFIC!! The assist midwife calls me while I am on the road…she has arrived…things are good…active, consistent labor pattern. I am 5 minutes away.
Day 2 | Sunday
8:30am
I arrive and momma is doing well, in the shower…the surges are strong…. she is doing well…we set up our equipment…papa finishes filling the birth pool, momma gets out of shower and waddles into the baby’s room where the birth pool is waiting for her. It is 8:30am now. The look of relief on her face once she is submerged in the pool and the sound - ”ahhhhh” as she settles into the warm water. There is a peace and calmness in the between storm of the surges.
8:35am
She is feeling pressure and her body releasing…. she is simply going with the flow and being in her body, responding in a gentle way to the need to bear down with the surges.
8:58am
We supported her knowing, reminded her that her body knows exactly what to do, and at 8:58am this awesome momma released her sweet baby girl into waiting hands. I was awed at the gentleness of this baby’s coming into the world. Papa was in the birth pool also and held his baby until momma released her placenta, and then he cut the cord. Hugs, kisses and a big welcome to this sweet baby girl. A good nursing from momma to her new baby and a few hours later we put the new family to bed for snuggling and much needed rest.
Ahhh…What a beautiful morning!!!