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.