Sara and Casey got to The Farm on Monday, January 11th, two weeks before her "due date". Normally couples are asked to be there about a month before but because of the Christmas holidays and work schedules they waited a little while longer. I eagerly joined them a week later.
January 25th had come and gone. No big deal. We believed the "estimate" part of estimated due date. As I talked about in my previous post, Sara was doing every (natural) thing in the arsenal of tips and tricks to help things along. It was reassuring that the baby's activity level was still very high. In addition to the natural induction things she was doing, she continued to work from our home-away-from home cabin. Work was a good distraction and she wanted to have all of her maternity leave for after baby was earth-side. There were periods of rest and naps as needed. Visits with Carol and the other midwives continued to be a weekly highlight.
In an effort to move things along naturally and at the advice of her midwife, Sara began to see a local chiropractor for adjustments and acupuncture. She had seen a chiropractor throughout most of her pregnancy while in Georgia. Thursday, February 4th, 41 weeks + 4 days, her 4th visit to the chiropractor was followed by a delightful lunch in Lawrenceburg at Bliss: Farm Market and Café . A stop at Kroger for a few more groceries on the way home and I decide to pick up the only weapon in the natural arsenal that she hasn't yet tried, castor oil. It was something we'd already discussed and suggested by Carol as an option. I had used this with my late babies, years earlier. I'd remembered taking a half a bottle at a time of the nasty stuff. It's cheap, less than $2 a bottle and often does the trick. I'd reread the section of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, "beginning after a full night of sleep, one tablespoon added to scrambled eggs or mixed with fruit juice". Sara decided she would take a tablespoon dose early in the morning, before breakfast, whenever she got up for a bathroom trip. I headed to bed.
They stayed up just a little while longer. Feeling a bit down and discouraged and anxious to meet her baby, tired of waiting, Casey took Sara to the banner that hung across the kitchen. She and I made this together just before her Blessingway. One by one he lovingly held her and read her the affirmations. Such a precious way to lovingly close the day and bring peace to Sara! I love the way he loves and cares for my daughter!
friday, february 5th
She woke up around 5:30 am for the usual early morning bathroom trip and took the one tablespoon dose, returned to bed. (Imagine drinking melted crayons, only worse.) When I got up I made her a breakfast of grits, some pineapple and decaf coffee. When we talked to Carol a little later she said that it wasn't enough and that she did need to take a half a bottle. So, Casey and I concocted a smoothie with a bigger dose and poured a tall glass. Sara was tired, drank her smoothie and took a morning nap. There was a small amount left in the blender that didn't fit in her glass, so being the fearless man that he was, Casey decided to not let it go to waste and get a taste of what she was experiencing. And he did!
After a bit of rest I encouraged her to be upright and we worked on some more Spinning Babies techniques, specifically the Dip the Hip:figure-8 movements. It was a cold, crisp, clear day and some fresh air and movement would do us all some good so we headed out of the cabin and into the woods for a hike. Two miles round trip, hills equivalent to climbing 7 stories. This was another piece of untouched beauty with hills and creeks. So beautiful! She was having contractions as we hiked but we didn't time them, just slowed or stopped as needed. As we got closer to the cabin Sara asked for the keys and made a beeline for the bathroom as the morning smoothie was beginning to do it's job! Casey had to wait his turn in this one bathroom cabin.
Innards cleaned out, more room for baby to move down, more Dip the Hip and she could feel him adjusting. We also did lots of side lunges with a chair, squats, Rebozo sifting, sidelying release, and double hip squeeze. Contractions were now steady and pretty close together at 4 minutes apart. Definitely more intense but the spacing, intensity, and other indications made us question if this was indeed active labor. Not the typical pattern. Casey was working on getting dinner ready while I worked with Sara. It was getting late in the day with a lot of activity. If this was it then labor was not going to stop. We took a break and Sara rested for about an hour. Contractions stayed about the same. We were using the Full Term app to time contractions every so often. A useful tool to see if the Longer-Stronger-Closer together pattern we are looking for is indeed happening. (This app also has a kick counter.)
Call the Midwife
She and I strategized about how to proceed to stimulate labor or if she should try to rest more. Since she was in a really good place mentally Sara called Carol to come by and check her. It's nice having your midwife just around the corner. She was happy to come by and was over shortly. The time was 7:30pm. Sure enough, Sara was not only more dilated than two days earlier but things had softened and thinned out as well, about 2 cm. As Carol finished her exam Sara's water broke! A small gush as first but when it happened the three of us burst into laughter! Casey was still in the kitchen and wondering what was so funny. The cool thing was that Carol immediately checked her again and all our laughter had loosened her up even more, easily to 3 cm in no time with some good laughter. In a minute's time she was already more dilated and there was an incredible new energy and excitement in the air. We also got a good laugh telling the story of Casey taking part in the castor oil smoothie. He is always game for good bathroom humor! Carol said she was sure there would be a baby before daylight then returned home until we really needed her.
With dinner ready we enjoyed a light meal, too excited to eat much. As expected, contractions quickly changed after her water broke and were coming on stronger and more in her back. She also felt waves of nausea but handled it well. Casey had gone back to the kitchen, wanting to get it all cleaned up. I began to try and get the word out to the inner circle of family and friends to light the birthing candle that we'd given them at her Blessingway and pray for her as they shared in the anticipation. (Note to self: I should have assigned someone to pass the word along.) I continued to work with Sara but as the intensity changed she needed Casey close and he was called into active duty! They slow danced together or stayed face to face, keeping her focused and relaxed. I worked with heated rice bags and counter pressure to relieve her back. Lavender oil in the diffuser and candles scented the air, strings of lights throughout the cabin, the wood burning stove warming this sacred space, a carefully selected playlist of songs, all coming together, creating a sweet atmosphere, perfect for keeping those good birthing hormones flowing!
Many of her birthing waves were one on top of the other. With each one either Casey or I would remain inches away, face to face, breathing together, encouraging her, making low, earthy, moaning sounds along with her. These back-to-back contractions are intense! In spite of all this Sara was a total goddess! She was radiant, relaxed and beautiful, as powerful and intense as I've ever seen her! And I could see Casey falling even more in love with her, as he witnessed his wife handle herself throughout labor. She needed him and wanted him to stay close! They were a sweet birthing team! In the months before he was a little unsure of how hands-on he would be. All of that had gone away and he was all in!
Feeling Pushy
One of the beautiful thing about the natural childbirth and a home birth is the freedom to move about as you please. Initially we were in the main living area and she was standing, moving her hips in a figure 8 swaying, slow dancing, leaning on the kitchen bar, on the birthing ball, frequently trying various positions. She stayed hydrated and emptied her bladder regularly, also important components in the process. After a couple of hours she eventually deciding to try an all fours position on the bed. This new position seemed to be a good change for a while then at some point she had the urge to push. Not trying to push, it was just happening involuntarily. There were other positive signs that labor was moving right along. This was a bit worrisome for Casey since it was just the three of us there. He gave Carol a call and let her know how Sara was doing. Another trip to the bathroom and time to fill the tub. While the clawfoot tub was filling, Casey hung another string of lights on the shower curtain rod. I was able to take a another turn staring into the eyes of my laboring daughter, encouraging her, vocalizing right along in low primal tones. Warm water was a huge relief! In between each of these waves a soft, relaxed, and peaceful smile would come to rest on her face. Often times during these short breaks they would softly kiss. Sweet and passionate, naturally working with her body to reduce anxiety and increase oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.
She still wanted to push and this was making Casey uneasy. I didn't see a head but we also had the lights low. I did ask her to self check. She could feel his head, and it was softer than she expected, but he was still not at a crowning stage. I wasn't concerned about him coming before Carol returned. I was unsure however, about her urge to push, not knowing how dilated she might be. (As a doula, we are a non-medical part of the birthing team and do not do internal exams, if anyone wondered.)
Carol arrived totally unhurried. She was her usual calm self. She watched Sara labor for several minutes, listened to the baby's heartbeat, then tried to check her in the tub. Too hard to tell so we moved back to the bedroom for a better exam...8 cm but with an anterior lip and some swelling. (3 to 8 cm in a span of 3 1/2 hours.) In order to reduce that swelling Carol asked her to remain on her right side and not push. My goal was to keep her as relaxed and comfortable as possible with light massage, heat, etc. Casey restarted her beautiful playlist again.
This was the most difficult part of her labor so far and yet she handled the challenge with strength and determination. One of the most moving parts of her labor for me was her singing along, word for word, loudly and most beautifully to David Crowder's "How He Loves"! Powerful worship during one of the most difficult parts of her birthing time! She'd been resting as instructed for about an hour when pressure became really strong in her bottom. Fullness and pressure and another check. Almost complete! Once again, time for the bathroom. Fresh hot water in the tub and back in after some time on the toilet. It may seems strange at first but a great place to allow those pelvic floor muscles to open and relax.
Once again the tub was a relief! Sara moved about in the tub and experimented with several positions: side lying, sitting upright, squatting, squatting with the rebozo over mine or Casey's shoulders. Throughout this whole process there was absolutely no complaining! Ever!!! Sara's eyes and gaze were intense. Wide open, bright and totally focused during each wave, never doubting her body's ability or worrying about the next contraction. She vocalized throughout, always controlled, low and sensual during the first half, raw and roaring through transition and at the end of every contraction, a burp! Then relaxed, into a warm and peaceful smile, often more soft open kisses.
Push!
A strong urge to push, she could feel his head and we could see a small amount of head showing. This was a small bathroom and too crowded for a good waterbirth. It was time to get out, use the toilet and return to the bedroom where Carol had set up all her supplies. The other two apprentice midwives, Sara and Tania had also arrived sometime earlier. Reclining with Casey on her right, me on her left, we supported her upper back and shoulders and legs while Carol was working to help baby's head out. Tania kept applying oil to Carol's fingers. Sara was working so incredibly hard, pushing but getting worn out! We fetched some ginger ale for quick energy, sipping between periods of pushing. Carol also asked for the black cohosh she had been taking for the past few weeks, having her take more doses fairly often. After 45 minutes of working like crazy with little movement Carol asked Sara, "how would you feel about getting up and emptying your bladder?" Her reply made us all laugh out loud, "that sounds awful!" but with no argument, a tiny bit of persuasion and a good deal of help, we made our way back to the bathroom, one more time.
The time on the toilet, an empty bladder, being upright and the movement it took to get there began to speed up the progress. She pushed some in the bathroom but then was ready to move back to the bed. Another contraction as she reached the edge of the bed. I supported her from behind as she instinctively moved to a squat to push. I was praying for her, that she would have the strength she needed. Back on the bed, same places as before and it still took time and a lot of work from Sara and Carol, working together to coax this baby the rest of the way out. I was beginning to be concerned as I watched how Carol was working to sort of pry his head out. We had a mirror, flashlights, plenty of oil, and more coached pushing that planned. At one point Sara asked if he was stuck. I can't remember exactly how Carol answered but we knew he needed to be born soon! (Sara: "She said 'stuck is a relative matter... it's up to you.' She was so gentle, but I knew I better dig deep!) Shortly after, I rather strongly said PUSH!!! Later Carol said she was glad that I did because she didn't want to be the one to say what needed to be said at the time. (Sorry I yelled at you sweetie... but it was for a good cause!)
4:59am
Then finally, this baby's head was born!!! He was born with his eyes WIDE OPEN, facing me, staring me straight in my eyes!!! Without saying a word, Tania and I exchanged a "do you see this?!?" moment! I remember talking softly to him but I have no idea what I said. With the next push he was fully born, 4:59 am! Carol said "reach down and take your baby". There was that crazy confusion that often happens in that moment of exhilaration and exhaustion. I helped him slide onto Sara's belly and she slid Baby Rhodes to her chest. Warm blankets covered mom and baby. His color was good, he was crying the cry we actually love to hear, working out his new lungs. Suctioning and back rubbing to stimulate breathing. He had a MAJOR cone head! Time to bond, skin-to-skin, plenty of blankets but no hat!
Then the BIG POO happened! Meconium all over Sara, running down her right side. I attempted to clean up the rather large sticky tar-like mess but it didn't work too well. Rhodes was favoring looking to his left so Casey and I switched places so that he was able to see his new baby better from the other side. Around 15 minutes after birth the placenta was delivered, cord still attached, then Casey cut the cord! The placenta was examined to make sure it was healthy and complete.
Midwife Sara instructed Casey to take off his shirt for some skin-to-skin with Rhodes so that we could quickly get the meconium cleaned off Momma Sara. With that she came up behind him and before he knew what happened, yanked Casey's t-shirt off. Casey took his new baby in his arms and right away Rhodes latched on, yes, to his DAD's nipple! We all got a kick out of this!
Back to mom, more warm clean blankets and more time for Sara and Casey to get to know their new baby. A sweet and precious time, he was very alert, bright eyed, active, latching onto momma now, exploring her breast and beginning to figured it out. His head was very cone shaped at birth due to his asynclitic presentation but during that first hour, swelling diminished dramatically! The midwives continued to check both mom and baby but in such an unobtrusive way that we hardly noticed. After an hour or more of bonding time it was time for baby to be fully checked over and Carol to attend to Sara's repair.
Midwives Sara and Tania took time for a thorough newborn check up, just a few feet away on the dresser while Casey looked on. I stayed with Sara while Carol took time and lots of care with her and she never flinched. Casey then got to weigh his him, 7 lbs, exactly!
These dear women packed up their gear, we changed the sheets, Casey held his new baby, I helped Sara in the bathroom, got her situated so she would be able to rest. Finally, they were able to settle down for a bit of early morning breakfast in bed and some much needed sleep!
As this new little family were alone at last and resting comfortably, I was tired but still somehow wide awake and on an adrenaline rush. In between loads of laundry and some kitchen cleanup we shared tea and I enjoyed having 2-3 hours listening to Carol, Tania and Sara discuss the birth as they charted. They said this was a challenging birth because of his asynclitic presentation but couldn't say enough good things about how well Sara handled the birth. I know that her positive attitude, sweet spirit, and unwavering determination made a lasting impression on this wonderful trio of birth workers! I am incredibly proud of this woman and honored to be an intimate part of this amazing journey!
