Reflections
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Last night I had the opportunity to attend my second birth. Technically, I was there as an observer/helper, but I ended up feeling like I played a major role in the whole thing. She was experiencing contractions in her back, so the doula would put pressure on her back, and I would point the shower head directly on her back (while she was in the tub). While she was pushing, I was behind putting pressure on her back as she pushed on her side, while the doula was with her, talking to her, holding her hand and or/leg, and taking some pictures on the other side. I saw the head come out and linger for just a few moments - I stared right at this baby girl (though no one knew if the baby was a he or she at this point) as she entered the world. I hope to be a part of many more births, but I know I'll never forget seeing that baby's face at that moment.
Labor was 5 1/2 hours from start to finish - mama's second baby. I learned after that she had not taken any classes - she did amazingly well considering this fact. Toward the end of her time in the tub, she kept asking for drugs, for anything, because she said she couldn't do it ... and what do you say to a woman who looks you right in the eyes and says, "This is so hard?" All that seemed right at the time was, "I know it is." But at the point that she was asking for drugs, she was definitely in transition, and we knew (and tried to tell her, but who listens to that kind of thing when they're in labor?) she'd be pushing soon.
The birth was at Clark ... I can't say enough good things about that hospital. I am happy with my choice to plan a home birth, but if something happens and I have to birth in the hospital, I can't imagine going anywhere else. The midwife was so supportive, as were the nurses. In between contractions as she pushed on the bed, we all just sat there in silence (too quiet for me!) ... there was no beeping, no bright lights, and no coached pushing at all. It was just women in a room (and the husband, though he was off to the side sitting in the chair) silently supporting this woman in labor, and it was almost unreal. Everyone knew that her body was doing exactly what it was supposed to do, so they just went with it, and eventually the baby was born. No one was frantic about anything, and it was exactly as (in my mind) it should be.
I am more excited than ever ... about my birth, about attending other births, and about having the opportunity to share with and teach other pregnant women what birth is, can be, and hopefully will be in the future.
Labor was 5 1/2 hours from start to finish - mama's second baby. I learned after that she had not taken any classes - she did amazingly well considering this fact. Toward the end of her time in the tub, she kept asking for drugs, for anything, because she said she couldn't do it ... and what do you say to a woman who looks you right in the eyes and says, "This is so hard?" All that seemed right at the time was, "I know it is." But at the point that she was asking for drugs, she was definitely in transition, and we knew (and tried to tell her, but who listens to that kind of thing when they're in labor?) she'd be pushing soon.
The birth was at Clark ... I can't say enough good things about that hospital. I am happy with my choice to plan a home birth, but if something happens and I have to birth in the hospital, I can't imagine going anywhere else. The midwife was so supportive, as were the nurses. In between contractions as she pushed on the bed, we all just sat there in silence (too quiet for me!) ... there was no beeping, no bright lights, and no coached pushing at all. It was just women in a room (and the husband, though he was off to the side sitting in the chair) silently supporting this woman in labor, and it was almost unreal. Everyone knew that her body was doing exactly what it was supposed to do, so they just went with it, and eventually the baby was born. No one was frantic about anything, and it was exactly as (in my mind) it should be.
I am more excited than ever ... about my birth, about attending other births, and about having the opportunity to share with and teach other pregnant women what birth is, can be, and hopefully will be in the future.
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