Joy in Birthing

(In the picture three months old Jessie double click on picture to see him in all his glory!)

It’s Friday night, 9:00 pm, Judy, my client due in ten days, calls to tell me she thinks she is in labor. I keep her on the telephone for about twenty minutes to assess her state. She can talk through the contractions which are coming irregularly every seven, and ten minutes and they last about thirty seconds. She is concentrating while they occur, but she mentions she has had Braxton Hicks on and off all week (those are contractions that can happen frequently during the last six week of pregnancy, but they usually go away with bed rest). I suggest she goes to bed, rests and call me in a couple of hours. This is Judy’s second baby, so I get myself ready just in case. Judy calls twenty minutes later and tells me she really wants me to come over; she says the contractions are getting stronger and I witness the change while we are on the telephone. She cannot talk through them any longer and there is urgency in her voice. I hop in my car and drive down to her house.

I arrive at 9:45 and find her in the bathroom reliving herself. I ask her not to push, and while I wait I warm up my rice sock, get massage oil ready, and spread my gadgets, ready to use what ever is needed. Labor is usually faster with the second baby, but from the length of the contractions, the irregularity of the intervals between contractions, I figure we have a few hours to work before we have to get to the hospital.

Judy comes out of the bathroom with a gentle smile, we hug and she lies down on the couch, another contraction is coming. I time it, still only about 35 seconds, but it is fairly strong. She complains of back pain, so I suggest we move to the floor, where she goes on her hands and knees to relieve the pain in her tail bone. The next contraction comes (seven minutes apart) and the pain in her back is very strong. To relieve the pressure on her back I decide to spin her. Spinning is an ancient art created by Mexican midwives. It is done by wrapping a rebozo (a sturdy long Mexican scarf) around the mother in a way that lifts and supports her back. With both hands I begin a motion that looks like I am sifting flower, jiggling her belly to allow the involuntary muscles around the womb to relax. This also allows the torso to lengthen and gives the baby more room. Judy smiles, the pressure has subsided, she feels relief. All the while I proceed with my birthing hypnosis method of joyful birthing. Another contraction comes and with this one the waters break and gush out. Judy screams “I have to go to the bathroom…number 2!”

It’s 10:20 and there is no doubt we need to go to the hospital. Judy’s mom panics, “Should I call the paramedics?” “No, I think it’s better we take her ourselves.” I say gently, “let’s just get in the car now!” I figure by the time the paramedics get to us this baby will be born. We get in the car and I place Judy in the back seat with her tushy way up in the air and her head on my lap. Judy’s dad is driving, he is calm, and his peaceful demeanor really helps. The hospital is only ten minutes away; I trust we will make it.

First contraction in the car Judy scream in terror, “He’s coming out!” I encourage her to follow my breath, listen to my hypnotic suggestions and not panic. Judy calms down and a miracle happened; she is now in control. One more contraction and she has a bowel movement and a bloody show. The baby is coming even if she is upside down! Lamaze breathing techniques are great for this situation. Finally we are at the emergency entrance; the attendant pulls up a wheel chair and asks “How is she doing?”

“She’s ready to push” I say, it’s 10:45 pm. On the way to the second floor the attendant grabs a delivery kit; they’ve had a few deliveries on the elevator. Judy looks at me terrified. “Sweetie, you are having a baby, you’ll be alright.” I whisper in her ear. Finally we get her on the bed; three nurses come in and quickly get the room ready.

“Don’t push, sweetheart, we just called your doctor, let’s wait for her.” The nurse recommends, she is a very young nurse, but I know she can help this baby out. I remove Judy’s pants and instinctively she opens her legs. The baby is crowning. We can see the top of his head. There is no time to wait for the doctor. Looking straight into her eyes while holding her hand I whisper, “Judy the nurse is fully capable of delivering your baby, your are safe, relax and let it happen.” At 10:55 a beautiful boy graces our world. Holding her baby J. in disbelief and in shock, Judy looks up at me, “Please tell me this is not a dream. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and go through labor again!”
I give her a big hug and congratulate her on an amazing job!

”

Dear J.,
My name is Giuditta and I am the doula that helped you out! Your parents had planned to have my friend Tracy, at the birth, but the Universe decided that you and I should meet. This is your birth story as I remember it.

When I met your parents, they had just arrived at the hospital, and as I peeked my head into the triage, I saw your dad talking softly to your mom. Mom and dad were smiling, laughing and feeling slightly nervous, but truly handling it quite well. You were in your mommy’s belly resting comfortably with a strong heart beat of between 140 and 165 beats per minute. A good healthy boy! As I walked in, both your mommy and daddy smiled at me and quickly filled me in on all the details. I found out you had a cool brother who was waiting for you and who had even already gotten you a present.

Once the doctor checked your mommy, making sure everything was all right, they switched us to a beautiful, large birthing room at the birthing center of Kaiser Permanente, on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The room was spacious, and aside from the bed for your mommy, it had a comfortable folding bed for your daddy, a rocking chair, a nice table and chairs for guests, a television and VCR, and even a stereo. It felt like a little home away from home, and we prepared for your arrival.

The last time mommy had given birth to your brother, it had been a long and a bit challenging time. So at first, when the doctor told your parents the course of events to expect this time, they had to really think about it, and decide if they wanted to go home and wait a bit more for your arrival, or stay and as quickly as possible, embrace you and welcome you into their arms. Your mommy was so eager to see you she even had tears in her eyes in expectation. When the doctor left and allowed us to talk about the situation among ourselves, what I saw was, two very loving people, your mom and dad, really weighing all the pros and cons to come up with the most reasonable decision. Your daddy was very supportive and loving, and soothed your mom, focusing especially on her desires and comfort. It was decided, you were going to come into this world in the most natural way possible, and as soon as it was possible.

The doctor placed a little ribbon next to your head (called cervidil), inside mommy’s belly, to tickle you into moving down the birth canal, and your mommy, who had not slept the night before, tried to get some rest. We put some music on and, using your brother’s CD player and some headphones your mommy settled in. I sat on the rocking chair, and learned from your daddy about all the fun things he does with cameras and computers. After a little while, daddy went to get some lunch, and your mom and I took a walk around the hospital, talked, laughed a little, and did some gentle yoga exercises, some guided imagery; all to get you to come out soon and be with us.

The first ribbon came, out, then the second. Grandma had come to visit, and daddy had brought a lot of movies to watch. Your family settled for a mini quiet party and I went home. Around 2:30 in the morning your daddy called me and told me to come over. You and your mommy had done so much good work while I was gone, and the doorway into this world went form two centimeters to eight. Since all we needed was for that doorway to get to ten centimeters, I hopped on my car and drove down to the hospital. When I got there, and slowly opened the door both your mommy and daddy were asleep and I settled down. Your mommy felt I had arrived and she was glad I was there. At one point, around four o’clock in the morning, on your way down the birth canal your heartbeat came down a little bit and everyone was worried. Doctors were called in and opinion asked: your mommy was really concerned about you; she wanted to make sure we all were very diligent. After awhile, it was settled, you were doing fine: we would keep a good eye on your progress and wait for you to come down on your own.

They moved us to another room, this time a little one, closer to the doctor and nurses around four o’clock, mommy got a little relief from the pressure, but by five thirty, five forty-five, it seemed you were really knocking at the door ready to come out. Your mommy had been so good and strong during the entire labor, but she needed a little encouragement. She listened and prepared herself ready to help you out by pushing with all her might. She and I had discussed two positions to push you out and after I reminded her, she began the process of pushing: the last phase of your birthing journey.

At 6:00 am, we had to switch rooms, one last time and as they wheeled out your mommy’s bed, your daddy and I had to quickly put on some long paper overalls, booties to cover our shoes, a hat for our hair, and even a mask for our mouths. I think your daddy kept the costume for Halloween 2003! This room was very large, and was full of doctor and nurses all ready to welcome you into this world. Mommy got on all fours on the slim bed (shocking the staff who is used to birthing babies only one way,) and began pushing with all her might. I have to tell you, by this time your daddy was in tears, he was so happy you were coming, he was so concerned seeing your mommy doing all this hard work to help you out, he kept close to your mommy’s head and monitored your heart beat. I took a stool to elevate myself, so I could help rub your mommy’s back while she was pushing. The doctors were waiting at the threshold. We finally saw your head, and what a full head of hair you had! Mommy shouted to dad to look at it and report. He exclaimed” Yes, I can see it!” and gently and quietly began crying of happiness. You were so close, we turned your mommy around and lying on her side she pushed one more glorious push and out came your lovely face, then your shoulders, then your entire body. It was 6:45 am on Friday, October 3, 2003.

You were so beautiful! A perfect baby, they took you to the little crib right next to us and daddy followed. There were two sets of doctors one taking care of your mom and one taking care of you. Everyone was smiling, everyone was so happy. Everything had gone so well. Everyone was congratulating your parents, they had done a wonderful job, and so did you. As you were being checked your daddy kept whispering, “Welcome, my boy, we are so glad you are here. We love you so much,” as your mother was being attended she was looking at you so proud, so happy. I am very proud of her, she did an awesome job, and so did you. People tend to forget that the babies do a lot of the work during the birthing process.

When everything was finally taken care of, daddy brought you over to mom and you began suckling at her breast, hungry after such a long and strenuous day. Your daddy looked at the two of you, his eyes resting on the perfect picture of mother and child and said to mommy, “You look so beautiful!”

It was a great honor to witness your coming into this world; it was a great pleasure to share the moment with your lovely parents. Thank you, and next time you see a doula, smile at her and tell her, a doula helped me out!

Doula Giuditta”