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!"
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.
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Sending out announcements!
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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.
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