In the month before 7/7/07, I attended 7 births.To honour these families, here are the condensed stories...
1. In labour, trying to make sure the men renovating her house wouldn't notice ("we waited so long for them to come and do the fireplace"), she dashes over to the contractor's house...only to be told by me to run down the stairs, get into a car, and meet me at the hospital. I could almost hear the dilation in her voice, and feel the baby's descent... So, we did perhaps the first "doula on headset" birth, dad and I driving to converge at the hospital, my voice quietly speaking into her ear through each contraction...and calling the hospital and doctor on my other cell phone. Dad remained calm...mum remained calm...and the baby was born in short order upon arrival at BC Women's. Phew!
2. Contractions were still "do-able" at 3am...we wait for the moment when the contractions make her "move"... Back circles, hip shakes at 4:30 should make the difference...ah, yes...dancing, moving...all the right signs by 5am...born at 5:30...9lb 5oz..."No wonder that hurt!" Baby suckling on mum's neck at 6am. A lovely night.
3. She walked to and from the hospital...with a husband on crutches. Need I say more? They're all amazing!
4. If her phone had packed it in a few minutes sooner, she would have given birth alone in an upstairs room. Luckily, there was just enough time for her to call her partner and I, get to the hospital, dash up to the best room in the house, have a shower, then have a baby - sunnyside up, no less! Thanks to Wendy for being such an amazing nurse, coming in just for us, and helping to facilitate yet another untouched birth.
5. When a woman is sick with a cold or flu, the body seems to take pity on her, and make the labour that much faster. Well, it worked again. Another quick birth. Softly breathing through each contraction, accepting each wave as it came, she birthed a beautiful baby boy before too long...then he peed all over dad's pants! "Hey pumpkin, what do you think?"
6. Dark hot night, fan blowing... She labours in the tub, moving with the contractions. The power builds, the midwife arrives...she now believes it can happen...legs "wide open like wings"...and the baby slides out into dad's hands. Milk and chocolate afters. "Just lovely," says mum.
7. This little one waited until he was good and ready. And no induction this time! Mum and son were at the beach...I walked to her house, and she gave birth with the sand still between her toes 2 1/2 hours later. Thanks to the nurses who believed me when I said the baby was coming FAST! Thanks to Dad for getting little one to sleep for his afternoon nap, so he could make it to the birth! Okay...now the next one should be at home.
It was an honour to be a part of these births. Welcome to the 5 boys and 2 girls!
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