When Labor Takes an Unexpected Turn: A First-Time Mama’s Powerful Birth Story

Going through pictures the last week has me in a birth story mood. So here is a precious story from 2023 and a first time mama...

A Slow Beginning and a Puzzling Pattern

Labor started with the usual gentle cramps and seemed to be ramping up slowly. I went to check on her and try to see if I could help with positions to help labor be more efficient. It kept not kicking in and it honestly had me puzzled. I could hear the baby reacting to contractions more dramatically than I am used to. We tried all of the usual things to help baby change position and never got the change we needed. Then after checking mom the next morning a couple more things had me confused, so we decided to go to the hospital and have a good look at things (this was before I owned my own ultrasound to double check positions).

Trusting Instincts and Choosing a Hospital Evaluation

Even at the hospital it wasn’t clear why the heart tones were having these deceleration, all seemed to be normal, but we all agreed staying made sense. I stayed, because that is what I do… her mom and partner were the best support and they navigated all of the decisions presented to them with grace and firm patience. Declining to have waters ruptured for quite a while and trying natural means to get stronger contractions but finally it seemed breaking the water would be the next most gentle option and might help avoid using synthetic oxytocin which is so much more painful and stressful to babies. I remember some disheartening words being spoken about how long it could take for her to dilate and birth her baby, so there was this moment where I sat with the mama in the bathroom… she was sitting on the toilet, which we often use to help baby descend and get faster dilation, and we just kept repeating that her body could open quickly and gently, that she could do it, and it wouldn’t have to be slow…. And it wasn’t!

Encouragement in the Hard Moments

From that moment on things progressed quickly and beautifully. As baby emerged and Daddy helped catch, it became obvious why heart tones had been interesting. This sweet baby girl had decided to have her arm across her throat like a scarf, so each contraction was compressing her poor little throat. The relief and joy when this sweet girl was finally here was one of the best moments. And I will remember it until my last breath. I stayed helping with postpartum and the move to the new room. As I was thinking it was probably time to leave, this Daddy asked if I wanted to hold her! I almost never get the honor to hold baby especially in those first hours and I never expect it! But this couple encouraged me to to hold their baby that we had all worked so hard for. And I couldn’t help it. I wept holding her and her Daddy hugged my shoulders thanking me for supporting them!

A Moment of Gratitude I Will Never Forget

I care so much… and getting included in the welcome of their special little girl was just too much for my tired heart to hold it all in. To this day, this birth makes me cry in the very best way! I am so blessed to have been their midwife!

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