The night before Sage's mom went into labor, her water broke. She tried to get some rest even though there was so much excitement and so many unknown possibilities on her mind. After a few hours, contractions started. By morning, they were 12 minutes apart and 44 seconds long. Finally, 12 hours after her water broke, my client decided it was time for her to go to the hospital, where I met them. After monitoring baby for a while, the nurses released us to walk around in order to encourage contractions to pick up even more. My client was hungry, so her feet led her to the cafeteria to fill up on strength for the marathon to come.

Contractions down the hall, contractions while picking out food that might be appetizing. Stopping and breathing through each. So much excitement. This was finally the day we had talked about together for the last seven months since I came on board the team!

Pacing hallways, walking stairs. Always counting on her man to be there to support her when a contraction came. 

Back in the room, essential oils wafted through the air. 

Sitting on a birth ball by the bed for a few contractions so the nurses can have baby on the monitor, the sun streaming into her face, giving her strength. 

Focusing on relaxing every muscle, breaking the fear > tension > pain cycle. 

The squat bar can be a helpful tool to use during the pushing stage even if a woman ends up in a different position to actually deliver. Use gravity to help move that baby down! 

And then lean back and totally rest in between contractions. Good time for a quick monitoring of baby's heart. Baby Sage was strong and ready to come out of this beautiful henna-decorated belly to meet her parents.

Dad cutting the cord...

I get that women are amazing, but come on, how do you look this beautiful (below) only an hour or two after pushing a baby out of your body?! Maybe it's the endorphin high from having natural birth, or maybe it's that stunning gown. I think it's a woman who has just locked eyes with her destiny--motherhood.

The strong arms that supported mom in labor will now be there for you,
​little girl, throughout your life! You are blessed with a good daddy.
​

Congratulations to my client on facing her fears and turning them into stepping stones that propelled her forward! You guys will be great parents after conquering this rite of passage.

Isabella was brought into the world through a peaceful, natural hospital birth. Yes, it is possible to create your own comfortable, cozy, birthing cave even in a hospital setting. Some candles and a string of lights help with that. 

When I joined my client at home before going to the hospital, I was happy to see that she was in strong active labor, with dim lights facilitating that. Some friends loaned my client a home so she could labor for a bit closer to the hospital than where they live. I love the emblem on the wall that captures that relationship. On the table you can see a jigsaw puzzle that my client picked at in early labor to help distract her mind and save her endurance for the end of the marathon. When we were walking out the door (pausing for each contraction), I quipped, "You didn't get far with that puzzle!" 

After the car ride, it felt so good to my client to lean back in the bed and relax while baby was on the monitor for a bit. Checking in at 6 cm. was a great place to start the hospital portion of this laborland journey.

One nice thing about having SW Midwives as a hospital care provider is that their clients have the option of waterbirth with a big jacuzzi tub that has ideal seating, grip bars, and foot holds.  

Hot water, with cool cloths on one's forehead. Relief at last. 

Digging deep, finding her power to push! A surprise gender reveal was around the corner!

It's a girl!

Below you can see the midwife's hand gently squeezing the cord to see if it is done pulsing. When a baby is born, 1/3 of its blood volume remains back in the placenta. Delayed cord clamping basically gives baby a blood transfusion full of iron-rich stores and stem cells.

Sending out announcements!

Childbearing (the whole chapter: pregnancy, labor, and postpartum) is no picnic, but it is so worth it! Welcome to the world sweet Isabella, and thanks as always to my clients for their willingness to share some of their images.