I had the privilege of attending Lucy’s birth. Megan and Cheron hired me to help support them through labor. Megan had a rough labor 
with her first born due to Megan and Cheron both coming down with the norovirus during labor. After several hours of labor, it ended in a 
cesarean section. They were hoping for a VBAC this time around.  They wanted to do everything possible to ensure success. They went
with a practice that had a great VBAC success rate, and they also hired a doula. 

      On February 16th, I met with Megan and Cheron for our final prenatal appointment. Megan was 37 weeks. She mentioned she’d been
having Braxton hicks and feeling a lot of pressure, but nothing consistent or painful, just uncomfortable. Megan also mentioned that she 
didn’t think the baby would be staying in much longer, but she was hoping baby would at least wait until after the baby shower that was 
planned that Saturday. The next morning around 10:30am, Megan sent me a text to let me know she’d been having blood tinged mucus. 
She also said she had some discomfort the night before, but that it never got regular. She said it was the same way this morning, and that 
she also had shooting pain down her leg. We discussed that maybe the leg pain was a pinched nerve, and to keep an eye on the discomfort.
I also told Megan to rest and stay hydrated.

  At 12:30pm, Megan sent me a text to tell me she was 99% sure that labor was starting. Her contractions had become intense, painful, and
frequent.  She said they were 3-5 minutes apart and about 30 seconds long. She couldn’t talk through them, and she preferred to be on 
hands and knees during them. I asked her if she’d like for me to head her way, and she said she was going to take a shower and then eat and
 that a friend was on their way to pick up their daughter. I told her okay, and to let me know as soon as she wanted me to come over there. 
By 12:50pm, Megan’s contractions were 2-4 minutes apart and about 45 seconds long. She also said she had some bloody show. I told 
Megan and Cheron that it sounded like Megan was progressing really fast and that I would head their way. At 1:30, Cheron called and 
asked if they should go to the hospital or stay home a little longer. I suggested they head to the hospital, and I would meet them there. At 
1:50pm, Cheron sent me a text to let me know they were leaving then. 

     I arrived at the hospital at 2:25pm. I headed up to labor and delivery. When I walked in Megan was on hands and knees on the floor 
working through contractions. The nurse, Tracy, was down on the floor with Megan holding the fetal monitors on her. Megan wanted to 
get in the tub, so we started to get that filled. Cheron was applying counter pressure to Megan’s back. I put a pillow under Megan’s knees, 
and got the heating pad warmed up for her back. Both Cheron and I applied heat and counter pressure to Megan’s back and hips, as she 
worked through contractions. Megan was hot so I also applied cool cloths to her neck and back.  Around 3:00pm, the contractions were 
one on top of the other, and Megan felt like she couldn’t get a break in between. She began to say that she couldn’t do it. I knew then that
 it wouldn’t be much longer. We all encouraged her and told her that she was doing it. 

     Around 3:00pm, Megan mentioned that she felt like she had to use the bathroom. She was feeling tons of pressure. Tracy offered to 
check her to see if it was time to push. While still on the floor on hands and knees, Tracy checked her, and said, “your baby’s head is right 
there”. We helped Megan move to the bed. She still stayed on hands and knees. At 3:10, Megan started to push. The doctor came in for 
delivery, but then he got called back out for another delivery. He said he would be back. He felt Megan might push for a while since this was
 her first vaginal birth. The baby had other plans. Megan continued pushing through a few more contractions, and Lucy was born right into 
Tracy’s hands. Cheron looked at her, and announced, “It’s a girl.” Then she was placed on your Megan’s chest. Megan and Cheron were 
overjoyed to have her here. 

     It was such an honor to be present and support Megan and Cheron as they brought  Lucy into this world. Megan was the picture of 
strength. She worked so hard and absolutely rocked her VBAC. Cheron was such a great support to Megan. Their love for each other and 
Lucy was so evident.

     I had the privilege of attending Taylor’s birth. Taylor had a very long labor with her oldest son that included a transfer to the hospital from a birth center. This was due to him being in a less than ideal position. He was posterior.  With this pregnancy she felt she could really use the extra support that a doula could provide. Taylor and Baxter were planning to have a natural birth at Baby+Co, a birth center in Cary, NC.
               
     On June 29th, 2016 at 6:40am, Taylor contacted me to let me know that she was having contractions. She said she’d been having them since 2:30am. She’d been trying to rest through them, but hadn’t been able to get much sleep. They were still far enough apart that she hadn’t called the midwife. Taylor also said she had an appointment with the midwife, Jewell, the day before. At that time, she was 1 cm dilated and not really thinned out, and the baby was posterior. Taylor felt like this could just be early labor trying to turn baby around. During our prenatal meetings, Taylor had discussed her concern over handling labor if this baby ended up being OP like her first was. I encouraged her that every baby and pregnancy is different. I also provided Taylor and Baxter with suggestions and handouts on things they could do to help get the baby in an ideal position, if he did end up being OP. One of these things was the miles circuit. Taylor said she had done a full miles circuit the night before, and she was wondering if maybe that triggered things. She said she planned to rest as much as possible until contractions got closer together. I told her it was definitely possible the circuit triggered things. I agreed that she should rest as much as possible until things picked up more. I suggested she get a good breakfast in and reminded her to stay hydrated. I also suggested maybe doing some hands and knees during some of the contractions. I asked her where she was feeling the contractions and about how long they were lasting. She was feeling them mostly down low in the front, and they were lasting about 30-45 seconds. She said she’d keep me updated and let me know if anything changed.

      Around 9:00am, Taylor sent me a text to let me know she had talked to Jewell around 8:00, but that contractions had slowed down and were irregular since then. She said she was about to go to her chiropractor appointment, and then she was going to try and take a nap. She also said she may go see the massage therapist that afternoon to help things move along. At 4:30pm, Taylor let me know that contractions were down to every 15 minutes apart, and they were less intense than that morning. She said she had just finished her massage. She was off to shower and go lay back down. She asked if I thought she should be doing anything to help baby turn, or if she should just continue trying to relax. I told her I thought relaxing at this point would be best, especially if she was able to sleep.

    At 9:30pm, I sent Taylor a text to check in before I headed to bed. She called me to let me know how things were going. She said things had been getting more intense, but she still felt like contractions were 8-10 minutes apart. She told me she had called the birth center, and they advised that she go ahead and come in. I asked her if she wanted me to go ahead and meet her there. She said no that she wanted to see how far along she was first. Then she stopped talking, because she was having a contraction. I heard her breathing and vocalizing through the contraction, and it lasted about a minute. She sounded like things were fairly intense. She also asked me if they changed their minds and decided to go to the hospital to get the epidural, would I still support her and help her get everything else she wanted on her birth plan. I said of course I would, but to let’s just see where she was at when they got to the birth center, before she made that decision. I also told her that I felt she was farther along than she thought. I asked her to time a few contractions in the car, and see how far apart they were. She agreed.
               
    At 10:15pm, Taylor let me know that contractions were definitely closer together in the car, but they seemed shorter. She said they would arrive at the birth center at 11:00pm, and that she felt awful. I encouraged her that the car ride is always awful during labor, but that she was doing amazing. I also let her know that I would go ahead and meet her there, since things seemed to be moving along fast. I arrived at the birth center at 11:10pm. Taylor was in the far left room. Beth and Jewell were both at the birth center. Beth had just checked her. She was 4 cm dilated. The bathtub was filling up. Taylor worked through a few contractions on the toilet, and then once the water was full enough, she got in the tub.

      Taylor felt a lot of relief with the warm water. She worked through several contractions on hands and knees, then Baxter got in the tub with her. He sat down and she leaned on him. She worked through each contraction beautifully. Around 12:10am, Taylor started making small involuntary pushes at the peak of contractions. Beth asked if she could check her again. Taylor said it was fine. She checked Taylor’s cervix, and she was 8 cm dilated already. It wasn’t quite time to push yet, but she was moving fast. Taylor continued to focus, breathe, and moan through each contraction. She would munch on Sonic ice in between contractions.

    Around 12:30am, Taylor’s contractions began to intensify quite a bit. She asked to try using the nitrous oxide gas at this point. The midwives brought it in and got it set up. She used this for about 10 minutes, and then her water broke. Once her water broke, she began to feel a lot more pressure. She began really pushing with each contraction. She was working so hard, and looked so amazing doing it. After about 30 minutes of pushing, Augustus finally arrived with his little hand next to his head. He was placed immediately on Taylor’s chest. Taylor and Baxter were so overjoyed to meet him!

      It was an honor to support Taylor and Baxter and witness their birth. Taylor rocked every second of her labor. There were moments she felt she couldn’t do it, but she kept persevering. She was a birthing rockstar! Baxter was incredible support to Taylor. He stayed in the moment and by her side through it all. Their love for each other was so evident throughout <3

      I had the privilege of attending Ashley’s birth. Ashley and Brett decided to hire a birth doula to help support them through labor. They were having their first child, and were planning on having a natural birth at Baby +Co, a birth center, in Cary, NC. They did everything possible to prepare for a natural birth. They took two different classes, chose great care providers, hired a doula, and did a lot of research.
               
     On July 2nd, 2016 at 4:23pm, Ashley sent me a text to let me know that she was having cramping and bloody show, but no regular contractions yet. I told her bloody show was a great sign. I suggested Ashley take a warm bath and sleep some if she could. I also reminded her to make sure to get a good meal in and to be sure to stay hydrated. Around 9:00pm, I checked in with Ashley to see how things were going. She said she just took a warm bath that felt great. She was still having bloody show and contractions, but nothing regular. She said she was going to time a few just to see, but that it was nothing unbearable at all, and she could easily talk through them. I told her it still sounded like early labor, and to definitely try to get some sleep in before things pick up. She said she was going to go to bed soon, and would call me if things changed.

      Around 1:00am, I got a call from Ashley. She said contractions were getting pretty intense and closer together. She said she was feeling them mostly in her back, but some in the front too. She would have to stop and breathe through them. I told her I would get ready and head to her house. I suggested she try laboring some on hands and knees and have Brett apply heat to her back until I got there. I arrived at their house a little after 2:00am. Brett answered the door, and walked me to Ashley. Ashley was in the living room on hands and knees leaning on the couch. I talked to her for a few minutes, and then watched her through a contraction. She took deep breaths and moaned through each one. She said she was still feeling it mostly in her back. I heated up the heating pack and applied counter pressure to her back during each contraction. Brett said they had called the birth center already and spoke with Jualeah, one of the midwives. Jualeah said to come in whenever they were ready. We waited through a few more contractions. They were about 3-4 minutes apart, and about a minute long. I told Ashley and Brett that I didn’t think it was a huge rush, but that we could definitely think about heading to the birth center soon.  Brett started grabbing all the bags and loading up the car.
               
     We arrived at Baby+Co around 3:00am. Jualeah had just arrived. She hadn’t set up any of the birthing suites yet, so she had Ashley go into an exam room to check her and see if she was ready to be admitted. She checked Ashley’s cervix. Ashley was 4 cm dilated and paper thin. The baby’s head was still very high and wasn’t quite hitting the cervix. It was a little posterior, so Jualeah suggested Ashley lean back on the exam table while she got a dose of IV antibiotics. Ashley was GBS +, so she would need to have these administered every four hours during labor. Ashley’s labor continued to intensify during this time, and she seemed to be progressing fairly quickly. By 3:30am, all was ready, and we walked back to the birth room.

     While in the birth room, Ashley started doing squats and lunges with the pilates bar. We were hoping this would help bring the baby down some. Around 4:00am, as things continued to intensify, Ashley decided to try getting in the shower. She labored in the shower for a while alternating between hands and knees and leaning on Brett. I continued to apply counter pressure to her back during the contractions. She stayed in the shower for about 20 minutes, and then decided she’d like to get in the bath for a while. The bath helped a lot with the intensity. Ashley worked through each contraction beautifully. She listened to her body and breathed and moaned through each one. She got in different positions in the bath. Brett sat by her side, supporting her through each one. He would make sure she was drinking and her water was staying full. I applied cool cloths to her neck and face.

     Around 5:00am, Ashley decided to get out of the bath to use the bathroom. Ashley’s back was still bothering her a lot, so I suggested she try getting on hands and knees on the bed. She did this for a while, and then her knees would get tired, and she would rest side lying. During this time, Brett would massage Ashley’s back and encourage her, and he and I would alternate between applying heat and counter pressure to her back and hips. At 5:30am, it started storming outside. The rain was coming down really hard. Also, about this time things really began to get intense for Ashley. Her contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart now, and she was involuntarily bearing down at the peak of the contractions. Jualeah asked Ashley if she could check her to see if it was time to push yet. Ashley agreed. Jualeah checked her cervix. She was 9 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and the baby had come down some. After this Ashley went to the bathroom and sat on the toilet through a few contractions. Her urge to push really began to intensify.

 
     Jualeah still felt that the baby’s head wasn’t fully on the cervix, so she had Ashley get into a new position for a while to help with this, and also hopefully to allow Ashley and Brett to rest some. Jualeah had Brett sit in a chair, and put the birth ball in front of him. She then had Ashley sit on the birth ball and lean back on Brett. We put pillows behind both of them. Brett continued to apply heat and pressure to Ashley’s back during contractions, and they would both doze and rest in between. They stayed in this position for about 20 minutes. The urge to push was continuing to intensify for Ashley. She decided she’d like to get in the tub. Ashley got back in the tub and sat leaning against the end of the tub. Brett, once again, sat beside her head, comforting and encouraging her. I sat behind her.

      Around 6:50am, the urge to push was continuing to intensify for Ashley, and it was now lasting throughout the entire contraction. Jualeah thought it might be good to do another cervical check to see if she thought Ashley would have time for another round of IV antibiotics. She checked Ashley’s cervix, and she was almost completely dilated. There was just a small cervical lip there. Jualeah felt like Ashley could probably push past that, so she suggested that Ashley just continue listening to her body and push when she felt like she needed to. Ashley pushed long and hard during each contraction. She listened to her body so beautifully. She did this until a little after 8:00am. At this time, Jualeah noticed not much progress had been made, so she suggested that it might help if Ashley got out of the tub, and try pushing on the bed for a little while. Jualeah thought that if she could hold the lip back, until baby’s head got past that point that it might help.

      Ashley lay on the bed and pushed for a while on her back. During this time, you could actually see a little bit of baby’s head when Ashley was pushing, and Jualeah showed Brett. He held a flash light down there for several contractions while Ashley pushed. Tracey, the nurse, and I sat by Ashley’s head. We applied cool cloths, massaged her, and encouraged her. Finally, the cervical lip was gone, and we encouraged Ashley to try another position to see if it might be more effective. At 8:50am, Ashley got out of the bed and moved over to the pilates bar. She did squats and lunges while pushing with each contraction. She was so incredible during this time. She was so strong and powerful. Brett and I would tell her, “you can do this.” She would always respond with, “I know”. It was amazing to watch. She knew how strong she was.

     After about 20 minutes of doing squats and lunges, Ashley’s legs began to get tired. Jualeah brought in the birthing stool. She had Ashley sit on that while Brett sat on the chair behind her. Ashley would lean back on Brett and push. Jualeah was sitting on the floor beneath Ashley, checking progress. At 9:35am, after about 30 minutes in this position, Ashley changed positions again. She got on hands and knees on the bed again. She pushed this way for a while, then Tracey brought in something for Ashley and Brett to basically play tug a war with. Brett would pull one end, and Ashley would pull the other, hopefully making her pushes more effective.
 
     At 10:10am, Ashley was beginning to get really exhausted, and the baby wasn’t making much descent at all. She had been pushing for about four hours, with so much strength and determination. Jualeah felt that Ashley really needed to rest.  Jualeah also wanted to see if maybe the baby would come down some with contractions alone. Ashley couldn’t resist her body’s urge to push during contractions, so Jualeah suggested using nitrous to help her relax. Tracey set up the nitrous. Ashley still needed help being reminded to resist the urge to push during contractions, but she was able to rest for a while.  While she was resting I strongly encouraged Brett to take a small break and get some breakfast. He had been up all night, and hadn’t had much to eat. I wanted to make sure he could keep his energy up. He went out and grabbed breakfast at Whole Food’s with Ashley’s mom, who had been in the waiting room. With the help of the nitrous, Ashley was able to sleep and relax some. She was having a lot of pain in her sciatic nerve, so Tracey and I massaged her back. I applied some clary sage mixed with a labor oil the birth center had. After Brett returned, I switched off with him and took a quick break.

     Ashley labored down with the nitrous for about an hour and a half. She was able to get some rest, and she actually looked much more refreshed afterwards. She tried pushing on the toilet some, and in a few other positions. I tried belly sifting with the rebozo, in hopes that baby would get in a better position to come down. Finally, around 12:00pm, Ashley and Brett, on Jualeah’s recommendation, made the decision to transfer to the hospital for an epidural. Ashley was so exhausted, and had done just about everything possible to push the baby down, but he wasn’t budging. Besides being exhausted, Ashley was able to continue handling contractions just fine. She was a rockstar. The hope was that the epidural would help Ashley relax completely and maybe make more progress.

     We all went to the hospital. Jualeah used her hospital privileges for the first time and accompanied Ashley and Brett. Ashley’s mom also came back to the hospital room with us. Ashley asked her mom to pray. Everyone placed a hand on Ashley, as her mom prayed. At 1:00pm, Ashley received her epidural. At first, Jualeah, suggested that Ashley rest and take a nap, but then the baby’s heart rate started showing late decels on the monitors. It’s normal for a baby’s heart rate to dip during the peak of the contraction, but Evan’s was dipping at the end of the contraction, and taking longer than normal to recover. This can often be a sign that the placenta or cord is compromised. Jualeah talked to the OB on call to see her thoughts. She told Ashley she’d like to have her push through two or three contractions to see if she could make any progress at all, and if not, she recommended Ashley have a cesarean section. Ashley pushed with all her might during those three contractions. The OB could tell that Ashley was definitely pushing in the right place, but the baby was not coming down at all. Ashley and Brett agreed that a cesarean would be the best thing at that point.

     At 2:25pm, they took Ashley back to the OR for the c section. Jualeah and Brett were able to go with her. I was not allowed in the OR, so I waited in the recovery room for Ashley. About an hour later, they pushed Ashley back into the recovery room. She was holding her baby on her chest, and she said, ‘we have a boy”! She was just glowing and so excited to finally be holding her sweet baby. You could just take one look at her eyes, and tell how madly in love she was with him already. Brett came in shortly after and just talked all about him. They were so happy to have him here.

     It really was such an honor to stand by Ashley’s side as she labored. She is one of the strongest, most powerful laboring women I have ever seen. She was truly a birth warrior. She was nothing short of amazing during her birth. Brett was so supportive of her, and was there every step of the way. You could tell his support was priceless to her.

      Amanda and Adam hired me partway through their second trimester. They had just moved here and wanted the support a birth doula could provide during labor and birth. Amanda had a cesarean section with her first daughter, due to her being breech. She really wanted to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) this time. She worked hard to prepare herself for a successful VBAC. She researched and went with a care provider, Women’s Health Alliance Midwives, that had an awesome VBAC success rate. She took the VBAC preparation class that I teach, as well as, hiring a doula.
               
     Amanda’s due date was May 24th, but babies rarely ever pay any attention to due dates. That day came and went. Amanda and Adam were very anxious to meet their baby. Amanda also hoped to avoid an induction. The midwives recommend being induced at 41 weeks with a VBAC. As 41 weeks approached, Amanda requested to push the induction back a few days. She wanted to allow for a few extra days in hopes that labor would start on its own.
               
     Beginning on Wednesday, June 1st around 4:00am, Amanda woke up with contractions. She sent me a text around 7:00am to let me know that they had been happening about every 10 minutes for the last 3 hours. I told her I had my fingers crossed for her that it was early labor. I told her to make sure to eat and stay hydrated, and to just take it easy and rest to conserve her energy. She said she had a peanut butter and banana smoothie, and that she had an appointment with the midwife already scheduled for 11:45am. At 8:10am, Amanda let me know that contractions were getting a bit closer together, but were still fairly short. At 11:30am, she mentioned that contractions had spaced back out some and that she was heading to her appointment.

      At 1:30pm, Amanda updated me on how her appointment went. She said she was 3 cm dilated, but that her cervix was still very posterior. The midwife did a non stress test, and all looked good. Since Amanda and the baby were healthy, they cancelled the induction and scheduled an ultrasound for that Friday, if Amanda was still pregnant. I suggested that she eat a good lunch, go home, take a nap, and then try a few things to get labor to pick up. She agreed. Around 4:00pm, Amanda let me know that contractions were all over the place. Some were 15 minutes apart and some back to back. We discussed how the baby might be posterior and different ways to help with that. We came up with a plan, and Amanda  said she’d check back in that evening, if things didn’t pick up before then. At 7:30pm, Amanda let me know that things were still stalled. She said she was going to go on a walk and do some squats, and if nothing changed, then she’d head to bed early and get some sleep. I told her I thought that was a good plan.
               
     The next morning, on June 2nd, Amanda let me know that things were still the same. She said she planned to go swimming and that she had both a chiropractor and acupuncture appointment that afternoon. Around 6:00pm that night, Amanda let me know that contractions had started back up again. They had been coming every 15 minutes for the last hour and a half. Around 11:00pm, she let me know that contractions were still 10-15 minutes apart, but they had gotten much more intense and were lasting for about 2 minutes. I told her that I knew she didn’t want to hear this, but that sounded more like a prodromal labor pattern to me. I suggested she take a warm bath and drink lots of water, and then try her best to get to sleep.
               
     On Friday June 3rd, around 5:00am, Amanda sent me a text to tell me that the bath had helped to slow things down a bit, and that she was able to get a few hours of sleep, but the contractions did end up picking up again around 2:30am. She said they were now happening every 7-10 minutes and lasting about a minute to a minute and a half each. She also mentioned that she lost her mucus plug. I told her that sounded like a much better pattern, and to continue to try to rest until contractions got much more intense and closer together. She mentioned she was having trouble lying down through contractions. I told her that was normal and suggested trying the exaggerated Sims position. She tried this and managed to get some rest. Around 8:30am, she let me know that she was going to get a bath and had sent Adam to the store to get more bananas for a smoothie. She also mentioned that her appointment that day was at 3:00pm. Around 12:00pm, Amanda mentioned that things were feeling much more intense. I told her I would get a shower and head her way. By the time I got out of the shower, Amanda said that her contractions seemed to be spreading back out again, and that it had been 20 minutes since her last one. I told her since things had slowed down, then I would hold off on coming to her, but to let me know as soon as she needed me.

     Amanda went to her appointment at 3:00pm. She updated me on how it went. Her cervix was about the same, and the doctor suggested grabbing some dinner and then heading to the hospital. At 6:00pm, Amanda sent me a text to let me know that she had been admitted, and that they planned to break her water in order to help things pick up. She asked that I come out there. I arrived at the hospital around 7:30pm. The midwife on call, Mary Ellen, broke Amanda’s water at 7:00pm. Amanda wanted to try this before pitocin to help pick things up. Contractions were still very spaced out. We decided to alternate walking around the labor and delivery floor, squats, and sitting on the ball to try to get contractions to pick up. We did this for about two hours. At 9:30pm, Mary Ellen came in to check on Amanda. She also suggested maybe trying to start some pitocin to get contractions more regular. Amanda decided to take a 30 minute cat nap before making a decision. During this time, contractions really started to pick up, and they were occurring every 2 to 3 minutes. She got up and sat on the ball for a while. I applied heat to her back, and did hip squeezes during contractions. Then she walked around the room, and got on hands and knees.

      At 11:30pm, Amanda decided to try the shower. She stayed in the shower about 30 minutes. Contractions were still about 2 to 3 minutes apart and very intense. We set up the bed in a way that she could be on hands and knees, but rest her head on the peanut ball and pillows in between contractions. This was a really great position for her and worked well for a while. At this time things also began to intensify more, and Amanda began making deep moans during contractions. At 12:30am, Amanda began to have a small urge to push. About an hour later, she decided to change positions and lie on her right side for a while, in an attempt to rest.  At 2:30am, she got up to use the bathroom, and then when she returned to the bed she decided to do hands and knees again, while lying on the peanut ball.
               
     Around 3:30am, Amanda was beginning to feel the urge to push intensify, so Mary Ellen came in to do a cervical check. Amanda was 6 cm dilated and 100% effaced, but her cervix was beginning to swell some due to her involuntarily pushing. Mary Ellen advised her to resist the urge to push, because it wasn’t yet time. After this Amanda got in the shower again to try to help with the intensity of the contractions. While she was in the shower, Adam stayed next to her and sprayed her back with warm water. Around 4:15am, Amanda got out of the shower and said she’d like to get something to help with the pain. Mary Ellen and the nurse came in and discussed with Amanda her options for pain relief. After a lot of discussion and inquiring about benefits and risks of each, Amanda decided to get an epidural. We all supported her in her choice. She was so very tired after being in labor so long. Before she could receive the epidural, she first had to get a bag of IV fluids. She leaned on the bed during this time, and would sway her hips and make deep moans during her contractions. Adam and I would apply heat and counter pressure to her back and hips. She worked through each contraction so beautifully.
               
     Finally around 5:00am, the bag of IV fluids was done, and the anesthesiologist came in. He was a very nice and friendly doctor and did an amazing job administering the epidural. It started working fast. Amanda still had really good range of motion, but she was no longer feeling the contractions. By 5:45am, she fell asleep and got a well deserved nap in. Adam fell asleep on the couch, Amanda’s mom slept in the rocking chair, and I put some blankets down on the floor and slept. We were all exhausted. After a few hours, it was time for the midwives to change shifts. Leigh Ann was the next midwife on call. Around 8:30am, she came in to talk to Amanda and check her cervix. Amanda’s cervix hadn’t changed much. She was still 6 cm dilated. Her contractions had also spaced out a lot. Leigh Ann suggested maybe trying a little bit of pitocin to get the contractions to pick back up again. Amanda agreed. They started the pitocin, and contractions began to come more frequently.

     Around 10:15am, the baby’s heart rate began to drop and was not recovering. The nurses came in the room, as well as, Leigh Ann and the OB on call, Dr. Schreiber. They put oxygen on Amanda and moved her from side to side to see if they could get the baby’s heart rate to come back up. Leigh Ann did a quick check at this time, and found that Amanda was 9 cm dilated, and that the baby had come down significantly to a +1 station. Leigh Ann felt that the sudden drop was the reason the baby’s heart rate went down, but did advise they needed to get it to come back up, or Amanda would have to have a repeat cesarean. Leigh Ann suggested Amanda try hands and knees if she had enough mobility. She did, and she got back into the position she had felt most comfortable laboring in prior to receiving the epidural, hands and knees, leaning and resting her head on the peanut ball. Immediately, the baby’s  heart rate went back up. Evidently, the baby also really liked that position. She stayed perfectly happy the rest of the time!

      At 11:20am, Amanda was beginning to get tired again, and wanted to try and nap. We helped her to flip over to her left side and sleep that way for a while. She napped, and ate a popsicle when she woke up. Then at 2:05pm, Leigh Ann came in again and checked Amanda’s cervix. She was completely dilated, and the baby was very low at a +2 station. It was time to push! Amanda and Adam were so excited. Amanda had waited so long and worked so hard for this. She began pushing and the baby began descending fairly quickly. I applied cool cloths to her head and neck. Amanda’s mom and Adam stood by her side encouraging her. As the baby was coming down, Leigh Ann commented on the color of her hair. Amanda and Adam were shocked that she had hair at all! Once the baby was crowning and half of her head was out, Leigh Ann grabbed Adam’s hands and guided him into helping the baby emerge. Then as her shoulders came out, Leigh Ann, told Amanda, “reach down and pull up your baby to your chest.” Amanda did, and it was such an amazing, beautiful moment. She was in awe of her baby and what her body just did. Everyone was in tears. She did it! She got her VBAC, and she certainly worked so hard for it! It was an honor to be there as they welcomed sweet Caroline into the world <3

      Katie and Graham hired me when Katie was 32 weeks pregnant. They had three children at home. The youngest was almost 10 years old. Katie’s previous labors and births had been highly medicalized with many interventions. She wanted something different this time around. She greatly desired a natural, peaceful birth. Katie had researched the benefits of a doula, and really wanted the extra support one could provide. We talked a lot prenatally. When we discussed birth preferences, Katie expressed that her greatest desire would be for Graham to catch the baby, and then to immediately pull the baby up to her chest. I encouraged her to put that in her birth plan and to discuss it with her care providers, and see how they could make that happen.

     At Katie’s 36 week appointment with the OB, he checked her cervix. She was about 1 cm dilated. Not long after this, Katie began experiencing a lot of Braxton hicks and ‘false labor’ almost every evening. We stayed in contact a lot during this time. We talked about ways to identify whether it was actual labor or just her body warming up. We also discussed ways to help the contractions calm down if it wasn’t actual labor. After about 10 days of Katie experiencing fairly intense prodromal labor contractions every night, we talked about a plan. I suspected the baby might be posterior, so I gave her some tips on encouraging the baby to turn, especially since Katie was feeling very uncomfortable and tired.

     On June 22nd, 2016, around 7:30am, Katie sent me a text to let me know that she thought today might be the day Grace would arrive! She said she was having contractions that were mild, crampy, and short. She also said she was having bloody show, and she just felt different. I told her all of those were great signs, and it could definitely be early labor. She said she had a doctor’s appointment at 3:30 that afternoon, and she would have him check her then, if she hadn’t gone into active labor before that. At 11:55am, Katie gave me an update. She said she was still having contractions, but that they weren’t any stronger or closer together. They were about 20 minutes apart and still very mild. She was getting frustrated that things weren’t intensifying yet. I encouraged her that often early labor takes quite a while and that she sounded like she was in a good pattern. I told her that things move a lot faster once you get into active labor. We also talked about when she got checked at her OB appointment that cervical dilation doesn’t mean much, so not to be frustrated if she hadn’t made much change yet.

     At 1:50pm, Katie let me know that she had gotten home from camp and was lying down with a warm pack on her lower back. She said she was still spotting and losing some mucous. She also said that contractions were beginning to last a little longer, but were still about 20 minutes apart. I told her that was great, and I advised her to make sure to stay hydrated and to eat and rest. She said she was going to pack a few last minute things, and then planned to rest for a bit. At 4:20pm, Katie sent me a text to let me know she was still at the doctors. They had done a cervical check, and she was still 1 cm dilated. She said contractions were about the same, and that they were testing to see if her water was still intact. It was.
 
     At 6:00pm, Katie let me know that over the last hour her contractions were ranging anywhere from 4 to 17 minutes apart, and lasting about 45 seconds long. We discussed that maybe the exam irritated things. I suggested that she try drinking two large glasses of water and getting in the bath to see if things would slow down or stop. With her contractions being all over the place, I wasn’t sure if she was transitioning from early to active labor or if it was another bout of prodromal labor. A few minutes before 7:00pm, Katie let me know she was taking a bath and her contractions were between 5-6 minutes apart and lasting about a minute long. She said they were getting more intense, but that she could still work through them easily. I told her to see if things stayed the same once she got out of the tub, and if they did, then I was pretty sure she was going to be having a baby tonight.

 
     At 8:04pm, I checked in to see how Katie was doing. She said she had just gotten the other kids down and in bed. She said contractions were becoming more intense, but that she was going to go try and rest. She also said the contractions had spaced out some. They were ranging anywhere from 5 to 16 minutes apart, but most were 7 to 10 minutes apart. I told her to definitely try to rest if she could. She said she’d try to sleep. Then she had another contraction, and said she didn’t know how she’d be able to sleep through that. I told her to try lying on her side for a bit to see if she was able to at least sleep some in between contractions.
               
     At 9:35pm, Katie let me know that things had suddenly intensified, and that she thought it was time for me to come over. Then she sent me a screenshot of her contraction timer. Katie’s contractions had suddenly gotten very long and close together! I immediately jumped up, grabbed my stuff, and raced out the door. I arrived at Graham and Katie’s house at 9:55pm. Katie’s parents had just left from picking up the other kids. Graham was loading bags in the car, and then ran back in and was walking Katie out. It was very clear that Katie’s labor was moving extremely quickly. As I helped Katie to get into the car, she squatted, and said, “I feel like I’m going to poop all over myself.” I told her she was doing awesome, and asked if her water had broken. Katie and Graham didn’t think so. I responded with, “Okay good, let’s get you loaded in. Remember calm deep breaths. You’re doing so awesome (and she was)”. I then looked at Graham and quietly told him that he needed to rush as fast as he could. He said he planned to.

      Once everybody was loaded up, I ran to my car, and followed Graham and Katie to the hospital. Graham pulled up to the front, and ran in to get a wheelchair. I parked and met Katie at the car. The registration lady came out, and as soon as she realized how far along Katie was, she ran back in to get the nurses. We got Katie in the wheelchair and wheeled her up to labor and delivery while Graham went and parked the car. They got Katie set up in the bed and listened to the baby’s heart beat. Graham came in the room. There was a midwife on call that night, and she came in and did a cervical exam. Katie was 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced. The next contraction came, and Katie started pushing involuntarily. I knew the midwife and nurses weren’t going to have time to read the birth plan, so I quickly mentioned to the midwife that it was very important to Katie that Graham catch the baby, and that Katie was able to pull the baby up to her chest. The midwife said okay. She guided Grace’s head out, and then Graham caught her, and Katie reached down and pulled Grace to her chest. It was so beautiful, and they were absolutely in awe of their baby and the experience. Grace arrived at 10:28pm, less than 15 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. Katie kept saying it felt like a dream. She couldn’t believe she did it, and how amazing their baby was.

      Katie and Graham had prayed for Grace and her birth, and every prayer was answered. Besides it being a little faster than they expected, every single thing went exactly the way they had hoped it would. It was a beautiful birth. Katie was so incredible. She worked so hard, and handled labor so beautifully. Graham was an amazing source of support, comfort, and love to Katie. It was truly an honor to support Katie and Graham throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth, and to be there and witness them welcoming Grace into this world.

***Birth story and images shared with client's permission***

      Meagan and Peter decided to hire a birth doula based on the recommendation of their OB.  Meagan was pregnant with her third child. She had cesareans on the recommendation of her doctors with both of her first two children. She really wanted to have a vaginal birth this time. She talked to her OB about this, and they basically shamed her for wanting to even try, saying that she would be putting both her life and the baby’s life in danger if she did.  She was very discouraged by this, but knew there had to be another option. She had done her research and knew the risks and benefits of trying for a VBA2C (vaginal birth after two cesareans). She was given a recommendation to try a new OB practice at a different hospital. She contacted them, and they were nothing but supportive of her desires for a vaginal birth.

     Meagan’s first two children were decent size babies at 39 weeks, so Meagan was somewhat concerned that if she went too far past her due date that this baby would be too large. Her OBs agreed that they could do a “gentle induction” at 39 weeks, only if Meagan’s cervix was favorable. It wasn’t. Both her doctors and I assured her that she was fully capable of delivering a baby vaginally, even if he was big. Meagan’s due date came and went, and she tried everything possible to naturally induce labor. On April 25th, 2016 at Meagan’s 41 week appointment the OB did another cervical exam, and there were still no changes. They scheduled a repeat cesarean for her the following week when she would be 42 weeks and 2 days just to have her “on the books”, but said that as long as the baby and her were doing well they could try inducing instead. That Friday on April 29th, Meagan went in for a non-stress test and biophysical profile. All looked good on the NST, but they noticed on the ultrasound that the baby wasn’t practicing breathing. The OB said that was somewhat concerning, and felt it would be best to go ahead with an induction. Meagan agreed to being induced that evening, but asked if she could go home first to shower and get her things together. The OB said that was no problem.
               
     Around 8:00pm that evening, the OB placed a foley bulb in Meagan’s cervix to begin the induction process. When they placed the foley bulb, they inadvertently broke her water. Meagan was very upset by this. She was afraid that she would then be put on a time limit. The OB assured her that this would not be the case. I recommended that she get a good meal in and try her best to get a good night’s sleep, because the next day would be a busy one. She agreed. She also said she was so impressed with all of the doctors and nurses she had encountered so far. Every single one of them was not only supportive of her, but also excited for her! She knew she was in exactly the right place to give birth.

     The next morning, around 6:30am, the doctor came in for a cervical check. The foley bulb had come out, and Meagan was now 4 cm dilated and 50% effaced. She still wasn’t having intense contractions, so they started her on a low dose of pitocin. At 9:30am, Peter called to let me know that Meagan’s contractions had picked up. They were about 4-5 minutes apart, and she had to stop and breathe through them. I told him I would get ready and head their way!
               
     I arrived at the hospital around 11:00am. Meagan was sitting on the ball working through each contraction. She was handling them so well. She would have to stop to breathe through each contraction, but in between contractions she was chatty and happy. I sat beside her and talked. I asked if she had eaten breakfast. She said she had. I asked Peter if he had. He said he had not. I told him he really should get something to eat, as it was going on lunchtime. The nurse came in about that time, and she also encouraged Peter to eat something. He said, he was fine, but we both explained to him that he needed to get something in his system before things got too intense. Many dads will go without eating, and then as soon as the baby arrives and the adrenaline is gone, they get light headed. I offered to go down and get some food for him and bring it back up. He said, that was alright and that he’d go. He asked Meagan if she was alright with him bringing it back, or if the smell would be too much for her. She said it was no problem. While Peter was gone, Meagan and I chatted some about the day before and how supportive everyone was so far. She was so ready to meet her baby and so excited about the process. Contractions began to intensify and get closer together. They were now about 2 -3 minutes apart.

      Peter arrived back with his lunch around 11:30am. He ate, and we talked about Passover. Meagan was sure she was going to be able to skip it that year, because the baby would be arriving. Instead, though he waited until the very last day of Passover to make his appearance. Admittedly, I asked a lot of questions in between contractions about the different Jewish holidays, as I am not real knowledgeable about them. Meagan and Peter were great about explaining the traditions during them and the history behind them. At this point, Meagan was still able to talk fairly easily between contractions, but things were beginning to get more intense. She no longer felt comfortable sitting during contractions. I suggested she sit on the ball between contractions, and then stand and lean on the bed or on Peter during, while I applied heat and pressure to her back. This helped for a little while.
               
     Around 12:20pm, Meagan was beginning to feel a little more overwhelmed by the intensity of the contractions. I suggested she try peeing and working through a few contractions on the toilet, and then try the bath or shower. While she was using the bathroom, we called the nurse to get her IV covered. The nurse covered it, and Meagan got in the shower. She labored in the shower for about 45 minutes. At 1:06pm, while she was drying off from the shower, she mentioned that she thought she might want something for pain relief. I suggested she get checked first to see where she was at, and then she could make the decision. She agreed. Meagan had said before labor that she really wanted to try to avoid getting an epidural.

     At 1:25pm, the OB came in to check Meagan’s cervix. She was 5-6 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and baby was at a -1 station. This was really great progress, but Meagan still felt like she needed something. I explained to her that typically once a laboring woman hits the 6 cm mark, things go a little bit faster. The nurse explained her options for pain relief. These included an epidural, IV pain meds, and nitrous oxide. Despite the intensity of the contractions, Meagan was still handling each one so beautifully. She told the nurse that she wanted the epidural. The nurse stepped out to call the anesthesiologist. After the nurse left, Meagan and Peter asked me more questions about the other pain relief options. I answered them, and explained the benefits and risks of each. I told her no matter what her choice, I fully supported her decision. She decided to not get the epidural quite yet. She wanted to try the IV pain meds first to see if that could take the edge off long enough for her to either progress a little more or until it was time to push. I walked out and let the nurse know this. During this time, Meagan continued to labor in the bed on her side. She felt this was the best option for her at the time so that she could at least rest in between contractions.
               
     At 1:43pm, the nurse administered a dose of fentanyl in Meagan’s IV. It took a few minutes to kick in. Typically, IV pain meds make most people a little loopy, but not Meagan. She was pretty well aware of everything still. It did take the edge off some, and she was able to rest and doze in between contractions. Meagan continued to work through the contractions lying on her left side. We put the peanut ball in between her legs to help keep her pelvis open. I added heat and pressure to her back and right hip. Peter and I also kept applying ice cold washcloths to her head and neck. Around 2:00pm, Meagan was grunting a little with her contractions, and she said she really felt a lot of pressure. We called the nurse. She checked Meagan’s cervix, and she was already 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced. That was incredible progress in such a short time.

      Just 10 minutes later, at 2:10pm, during a contraction, Meagan yelled, “I need to push. This baby feels like it’s coming out of me right now.” The nurse decided to check her cervix again. Meagan rolled over onto her back, and the nurse checked her. She was completely dilated, and ready to push! Meagan did a few “practice pushes” to get the hang of the best way to push. Once, she got the hang of it, the baby came pretty quickly. Teddy was born at 2:43pm, and he was placed immediately on Meagan’s chest. She was in absolute shock, but full of joy. SHE DID IT! SHE GOT HER VBA2C! It was so incredibly amazing to watch Meagan and Peter’s joy as they looked at their baby and marveled at the way he was born. Meagan had never had a new, sticky, slippery baby put immediately on her, and she was beyond excited that she finally got that experience. Peter was in awe of it all too.

     Attending Meagan’s birth was truly such a privilege. Both Meagan and Peter were AMAZING. Peter was awesome support to Meagan. And Meagan. Well Meagan rocked EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND. of her pregnancy, labor, and birth. She worked so hard to make sure she was able to give birth to her baby in the best way she thought possible. She made it happen. She’s an amazing, strong, beautiful, powerful woman. She fought for what she wanted, and she made it happen. In the end, all that work paid off. She had a beautiful, empowering birth, where her choices, her decisions were respected and supported. That is something all birthing people should have. I hope she will forever be proud of herself and all the work she put into making her birth an empowering one.

****Image and Birth Story shared with permission from clients****     

     Dottie's birth was the 50th birth I attended as a doula, and what a beautiful birth it was!

     Sarah and Vincent were planning to have a natural birth at Baby+Co, a local birth center, in Cary, NC. They decided to hire a birth doula to help support them through labor and birth. They were so excited for their baby girl to make her arrival! On April 14th, 2016 at 5:45am, Sarah sent me a text to let me know that her water had just broken. She wasn’t having any contractions yet, but still planned to call the birth center soon. She was GBS positive, and she knew that the midwives would want to give her IV antibiotics since her water was broken. I told her to stay well hydrated and to get some sleep if she could. She said she would keep me updated on how things were going and what the midwives said.
               
     At 9:38am, Sarah let me know that she had just finished up at Baby+Co. She said she got a non-stress test, and all looked good. Baby was healthy and happy in there. She also received a round of IV antibiotics, and the midwives wanted her to come back at 12:45pm for a second dose. Sarah said that contractions had started up, but that they were really light. She said that Jewell was the midwife on call, and that she suggested that Sarah bind her belly with a rebozo. Sarah said that her and Vincent were planning on going to get breakfast, and then going home for a nap. I told her that sounded like a great plan.

      At 1:21pm, Sarah sent me a text to tell me she had just finished with the second round of antibiotics. They were planning on going home, getting some lunch, and then going for a walk. She asked if I had any other suggestions. I suggested that they go ahead and bind her belly, if the midwife hadn’t already. She said they had. I also suggested they cuddle and kiss some to get oxytocin flowing. I also mentioned that nipple stimulation might be a good option, if contractions hadn’t picked up more after the next round of antibiotics. She said, Jewell had suggested trying some herbs and doing a membrane sweep, if contractions hadn’t changed any by the evening. I asked if they had put her on a time limit at all. She said that they just wanted her to be in active labor by 6:00am the next morning.
               
     That evening, at 5:11pm, Sarah got her third round of IV antibiotics. At this time Jewell did a cervical check and a membrane sweep. Sarah was dilated to a tight 3 cm, and she still had a ways to go on effacement. They decided to try some castor oil, and agreed to meet back up at the birth center at 9:00pm, if things didn’t pick up before then. At 9:48pm, Sarah sent me a text to let me know that they were checked in at the birth center. She said she was beginning to get slightly more noticeable cramping, but that it was still manageable. She said she was going to lie down and get some sleep, and she would let me know as soon as things ramped up.

      A few hours later, at 11:45pm, Sarah let me know that contractions had picked up and gotten stronger. She said they were about 5-10 minutes apart and one minute long. She asked that I come around 1:00am. I arrived at the birth center a few minutes after 1:00. Sarah and Vincent were in the back room. Sarah was sitting on the ball receiving another dose of IV antibiotics. She was having contractions about every 5 minutes, and she was handling them so well. Vincent was sitting behind her, and he would apply counter pressure to her back during each contraction. Around 2:15am, the contractions began to intensify some, and Sarah decided she’d like to get in the shower for comfort. She did and found it very helpful. She stayed in the shower for about 20 minutes, and then got back out and sat back on the ball. She sat on the ball breathing through each contraction, while Vincent and I applied heat to her back and counter pressure to her hips.
               
     Around 2:45am, I suggested that maybe Sarah might want to try walking around the birth center a little. She did this for about 10 minutes, and then came back and sat on the ball for a few minutes, and then got back up and walked again. She alternated between walking and the ball until around 3:30am. At this point, contractions had intensified enough that Sarah no longer felt comfortable sitting during them. So she would stand and lean on Vincent during contractions, while I applied heat and counter pressure to her back. At 3:45am, Sarah decided to get back in the shower. She stayed in there for about 15 minutes. When she got out, we discussed maybe trying hands and knees, since she was feeling a fair amount of back pain. I was hoping that maybe both her and Vincent could rest some in between contractions, so I suggested she lie in Vincent’s lap. She got on the bed. There she alternated between hands and knees and side lying. She would doze in between contractions. This worked well for about 30 minutes, and then once again contractions intensified more.

      Around 4:45am, Sarah changed positions. She sat on the edge of the bed, and Vincent sat on a chair in front of her. Every time a contraction hit, Sarah would stand up, lean on Vincent, and I would apply counter pressure and heat to her back and hips. In between contractions, she would sit back down and rest on the bed. At 5:15am, the intensity of Sarah’s contractions really started to pick up. She began groaning and feeling a lot of pressure during contractions. Jewell came back in shortly after that, and she did a cervical check. Sarah was completely dilated and ready to push!
               
     After Jewell checked Sarah’s cervix, Sarah rolled to her right side and began pushing with contractions. She pushed in this position for about 20 minutes. At 5:45am, she got on hands and knees and pushed in that position for about 15 minutes. She wasn’t making much progress pushing on hands and knees, so Jewell suggested maybe try side lying again, but on the left side this time. She did, and Vincent laid down next to her in the bed supporting and encouraging her, while I applied cold cloths to her head and neck. She pushed for about 30 minutes in this position. Around 6:30am, she rolled on her back to push. She pushed this way until Dottie was born at 7:08am! Dottie was placed immediately on your Sarah’s chest. They were so overjoyed to meet her!
               
     Sarah was such a strong, beautiful laboring woman. You would have never known this was her first time giving birth. She handled things like she’d done it many times before. She worked so hard and listened to her body so well. Vincent was an incredible source of love and support for Sarah. It was so beautiful to witness!

   
To give to help Naomi, click here!
To keep updated on Naomi, like Naomi's Heart Journey on facebook!

Bethany and Jared hired me for doula services early on in Bethany’s pregnancy. They were expecting their second child. They had a 2 year old daughter, Kathryn. Bethany had a long labor with her first daughter, and she ended up getting transferred from the birth center she planned to deliver at to a hospital. After Kathryn was born, she ended up having to spend some time in the NICU due to meconium aspiration pneumonia. For this birth, they really felt they could use the extra support that a birth doula could provide. Bethany and Jared decided to deliver at a hospital that was very close to their house. Bethany really liked one of the OBs that worked there, because she was very much on board with Bethany’s choices. Near the end of Bethany’s pregnancy she began having dizzy spells due to low blood pressure. With this, combined with the worry of meconium and a few other factors, Bethany and Jared felt it would be best to induce labor at 40 week and 2 days, if Naomi did not come on her own before then.

     On  Sunday evening, March 20th, 2016, Bethany went into the hospital to begin the induction process. She sent me a text around 6:00pm to let me know that she had been admitted at the hospital, and that they planned to place the foley bulb in about 15 minutes. She said they had done a cervical exam, and she was still 1 cm dilated. At 10:30pm, she let me know that she was going to take an ambien to try and get some sleep, and that the OB planned on breaking her water between 7:00-8:00am the following morning. I suggested she sleep as much as she could, and to try and get a good breakfast in the morning.
               
     The next morning, March 21st, around 7:00am, Bethany let me know that the foley bulb had fallen out in the night. She said she wasn’t contracting regularly yet, and that she was able to sleep through everything the night before. I told her that was great and recommended to continue eating and snacking until the OB came in to break her water. At 8:26am, Bethany let me know the OB had broken her water, and the fluid was clear. This was a relief to Bethany and Jared. She also said, she was about 3 cm dilated, and hadn’t had any contractions yet that morning. She said she was doing a non stress test, and then she planned to get up and walk. I told her that was great and recommended maybe doing some squats and lunges as well.
             
     At 12:26pm, Jared called me to give me an update. He said they’d been doing a lot of walking and going up and down the stairs, but there were still no contractions. He said Bethany was beginning to get tired and disappointed. I suggested that she try taking a little break for lunch, getting a good meal in, and maybe trying to take a nap. I also suggested that nipple stimulation usually works well, if she could stand it, but Bethany had previously said it was too uncomfortable. Around 3:30pm, Jared called again to let me know that Bethany still wasn’t having many contractions, and that they planned to start pitocin around 5:00. He said that Bethany would like me to arrive not long after she started the pitocin.

     I arrived at the hospital at 5:45pm. When I got there Bethany was sitting on the birth ball next to her bed. She was on a very low dose of pitocin, and contractions hadn’t picked up yet. We sat and talked for a while waiting for contractions to pick up. Bethany and Jared told me a lot of fun stories, some about how they met and fell in love, some about living overseas, others about a really annoying mocking bird, and many more. We spent several hours talking and doing lots of laughing. Finally, around 9:00pm, when contractions still hadn’t picked up any, I suggested that maybe everyone should try to sleep. I wanted Bethany and Jared to get as much sleep as possible before active labor began. They agreed. They set up the pull out bed for Jared, and Bethany slept in the hospital bed. I returned home, and told them to call me as soon as things picked up.
               
     I came home and slept for a few hours, and then around 12:45am, Jared called me to ask me a question about the pitocin, and to let me know that Bethany’s contractions were now 3 minutes apart and fairly intense. I told him I would get up and head their way. I arrived back at the hospital at 1:20am. When I walked in the room, you could definitely tell Bethany was in very active labor. She was sitting on her knees on the floor and leaning on the seat of the recliner. Jared was rubbing her back and saying encouraging words. I went and warmed up the heating pack, and applied that and counter pressure to her back. I also wrapped the rebozo around her to do a hip squeeze. She stayed in this position until 2:10am, and then decided to sit on the birth ball for a while. She sat on the birth ball for 15 minutes, and then was feeling very tired. She decided to try side lying on the bed to see if she might be able to rest in between contractions. Either Jared or I would apply heat and counter pressure to her hip during contractions.

      Bethany  stayed in the bed until 2:50am. Then she decided it was too uncomfortable to lay down during contractions, so she got back on hands and knees on the floor and leaned on the recliner. Jared and I continued to encourage her and apply heat and counter pressure to her back and hips. She stayed in this position for about 30 minutes, and then decided to sit back on the ball. She said she was telling herself that she just had 60 more contractions to go, and was counting down. After about 30 minutes sitting on the ball, Bethany really began getting overwhelmed by the intensity of the contractions. She said she’d like to get checked, and if she wasn’t close to having Naomi that she really felt she needed to get something for pain relief.
               
     The nurse came in at 4:10am to check Bethany’s cervix. She was 4-5cm dilated, 75% effaced, and the baby was at a -2 station. Bethany was really disappointed to hear this. She was hoping she was much further along. We discussed all the different pain relief options. Bethany decided to try some IV pain meds. The nurse suggested trying stadol. At 4:30am, Bethany received the IV pain meds. This helped her a lot. She was able to rest and sleep in between contractions. She would usually wake up for the peak of the contraction, but it made things a lot more manageable for her. Unfortunately, IV pain meds only last about an hour, and by 5:30am Bethany was feeling everything again. She began bearing down some during contractions, and I asked her if she was feeling a lot of pressure. She said she was, so we asked the nurse to check her again. The nurse checked Bethany’s cervix at 5:50am, and she was 6 cm dilated and 100% effaced. At that point, Bethany decided she’d really like to get an epidural. The nurse told her she would call the anesthesiologist, but that she needed to get a bag of fluids in her first.

      Around 6:00am, while Bethany was waiting for the bag of fluids to finish, she labored on hands and knees. She felt most comfortable in this position. She stayed this way for about 30 minutes. The nurse came in to give another bag of fluids, and said they were still waiting on the anesthesiologist to arrive. Bethany was getting very tired and rolled over to try laboring on her side. She worked through a few contractions in this position. She would hold up her leg during the contraction. At one point, Jared was helping her hold up her leg, and he went to put it down, and she got really upset. She wanted it to stay up. I knew immediately that Bethany must be ready to push. We called the nurse, and sure enough Naomi’s head was right there. They turned on all the lights, and Bethany began to push. She pushed just a few times, and then Naomi was born! The OB wasn’t even able to make it in time.

     Bethany and Jared were so glad to have Naomi here, but it was obvious from the moment she was born that something wasn’t quite right. It’s not uncommon for some newborns to take some time to adjust to life outside the womb. We were all hoping this was all it was. Unfortunately, after several tests they found that it was a lot more than this, and Naomi was transferred to a NICU at a different hospital. As I write this, she is still there, and Bethany and Jared have learned a lot more about what is needed to make her healthy. What she needs is a new heart, so Naomi is on the transplant list, and Bethany and Jared wait until one becomes available. Bethany and Jared are amazing people. They are strong and full of faith. They have faith that God will provide Naomi a new heart. Naomi is a fighter. That’s been blatantly obvious since day one. She is strong, and she is surrounded by people who love her, believe in her, and pray for her. Bethany and Jared are incredible people. I’m so looking forward to the day that I hear she got a new heart, and that she can go home and live day in and day out with her loving, faithful, strong, beautiful family. Naomi will always hold a special place in my heart.  It has been such an honor to be a part of her journey <3

     Bethany and Jared have complete faith that Naomi will be provided for, but in the meantime they wait. A transplant can take a HUGE TOLL on a family, not only emotionally and physically, but also financially. A fundraising page has been set up to help raise money towards transplant related expenses. Bethany and Jared have partnered with the Children's Organ Transplant Association, the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children, like Naomi. 100% of each contribution made to COTA, in honor of Naomi, helps meet their transplant related expenses. Please consider giving to the Reeves family. The last thing this precious family needs to worry about at this time is how they are going to pay for Naomi’s transplant and all the expenses incurred due to it. Please click here to donate. I’ve also included the link at the top of the story, as well as, a link to the facebook page set up for Naomi’s journey. This is a great place to keep updated on Naomi’s progress.

***Birth Story and Images shared with permission from clients***    

Mary Beth contacted me early in her second trimester. She greatly desired to have a natural birth, and she wanted guidance and support in achieving that. She knew a birth doula would help her with that. After discussing different providers and how supportive they were of natural birth, she decided to switch providers to one that was more supportive of her birthing choices. She worked hard during her pregnancy to do everything that was best for her baby. Mary Beth’s due date was March 8th, 2016. As that day came and went, the OB discussed induction with Mary Beth and Brandon.  They decided on scheduling an induction for the evening of March 15th, when Mary Beth would be 41 weeks. Mary Beth tried everything in her power to get labor started on its own before then, but Molly was in no hurry to come out.

     The evening of March 15th, 2016, around 8:00pm, Mary Beth and Brandon checked in to the hospital. Once there, they placed a foley bulb in Mary Beth’s cervix to help her dilate. She experienced some moderate cramping with it, but was able to take something and get some sleep. The next morning around 6:15am, Mary Beth sent me a text to let me know how things were going. She said the foley bulb was still in, and that they planned to start pitocin at 7:00am. I reminded her to make sure she ate a good breakfast before they started the pitocin and to request the wireless monitors and to let me know as soon as she needed me. At 7:30am, she sent me a text to say that her contractions were about two and a half minutes apart, but very mild. She wasn’t feeling much of anything yet. The foley bulb was out, and she had been able to get a room with a tub. I suggested if she was able to sleep anymore to do it, in order to preserve energy for active labor, but that if she wasn’t able to, then maybe try getting up and moving some to get things going.
               
     At 9:20am, Mary Beth sent me another text to let me know that the OB hadn’t come in yet, but that the nurse had mentioned the OB breaking her water. I asked her how intense her contractions were now. She said they weren’t too bad, and that they seemed to be the most consistent when she was lying on her left side. Around 10:30am, the doctor came in to check on Mary Beth and to talk about options. She checked Mary Beth’s cervix, and she was about 5 cm dilated. She offered to break her water to help speed things along, and Mary Beth agreed to it. At 12:37pm, Mary Beth sent me a text to say she would like me to go ahead and come in. I got my things together and headed out.

     I arrived at the hospital a little before 2:00pm. When I walked in, Mary Beth was sitting in the recliner working hard through each contraction. Brandon was sitting next to her encouraging her. After a little while, things began to intensify a lot more. I encouraged Mary Beth to get up and try some different positions to see if they would help. She agreed. We tried the birth ball for a few contractions. Mary Beth didn’t like sitting on the ball very much, so I suggested she try emptying her bladder and sitting on the toilet through a few contractions. I applied heat and counter pressure to her back during each contraction. Sitting on the toilet with the heat seemed to help some. She was able to handle contractions a little better.
               
     She labored on the toilet for a little while. Then the OB came in. Mary Beth was beginning to feel very overwhelmed by the contractions, and asked the doctor what her pain medication options might be. Mary Beth was scared of getting an epidural, so she talked to her about the other options. She opted to first try a dose of IV pain meds. She went to lie back in the bed while those were being administered. The IV pain meds helped for a little while. Mary Beth was able to sleep in between contractions and only feel the peak of them. However, once that began to wear off, she really felt the intensity of the contractions. She felt very overwhelmed by them, and wasn’t sure how long she could continue to handle them. We encouraged her to get up again and sit on the toilet since she handled them so well in there before. This time it was not nearly as effective. I suggested maybe getting in the bath or trying some other position changes. Mary Beth did not want to do this. She wanted to go ahead and get an epidural. Brandon and I told her we would support her in whatever choices she decided to make, but that she would have to calm down first before she would be able to get the epidural. It was important that she sit completely still while getting the epidural placed. The nurse suggested she check Mary Beth’s cervix one last time to see how close she was. Mary Beth agreed. The nurse checked her around 3:30pm, she was 6 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and the baby was at a -1 station.

      After this, Mary Beth got up and stood next to the bed. She leaned on Brandon during contractions while I did a hip squeeze or counter pressure on her back. She worked through several contractions this way, and was able to really calm down and get a handle on them. They were still very intense, but she was able to handle them a little better in this position. Brandon asked her again if she still wanted the epidural just to make sure, as this wasn’t her original wish. She said she did, and felt like if she waited any longer, than she wouldn’t be able to remain calm enough to get one. The anesthesiologist came in the room at 4:30pm to place the epidural. They only allow one person in the room while administering the epidural, so Brandon stayed with Mary Beth, and I went out to the waiting room.
               
     About 5:00pm, Brandon sent me a text to let me know that the epidural went well. He said Mary Beth was going to take a quick nap, and for me to go get dinner and come back in about 45 minutes. He was hoping she’d be able to get some sleep by then. I came back to Mary Beth’s room 45 minutes later, and the OB had just left. She had checked Mary Beth’s cervix, and she was 9 cm dilated. She was progressing fast! Unfortunately, Mary Beth’s epidural was no longer working at all. She was feeling all of her contractions, and was able to move her legs with no problem. The nurses tried to up her dose, and give her a bolus of medication, but none of it was helping. At this point she was close to pushing. It was too late to do another placement of the needle. So Mary Beth just worked hard through each contraction. Brandon sat by her head constantly encouraging her.

     At 6:15pm, Mary Beth began pushing. With each contraction she worked so hard to push the baby down. There were many times when she didn’t believe she was making any progress, and that her baby was never going to come. I held up one leg and changed out and applied ice cold cloths to her chest and neck. The nurse held up the other leg. Brandon sat by Mary Beth’s head, encouraging her, and applying cool cloths to her head. She felt like giving up so many times, as most woman do during that part of labor, but she just kept going. Finally, she pushed the baby out, and Molly was immediately placed on her chest. She was so overjoyed to meet her. Brandon was too. Mary Beth worked so hard and was so strong during her labor and birth. She felt every contraction, but still she kept going. Brandon was such an incredible source of support for Mary Beth. It really was such an honor to support Mary Beth and Brandon, and to be there as Molly entered the world!

****Birth Story and Images Shared with Permission from Clients****
        All images in Cheyenne's birth story by Autumn's Photography

     Krista and Josh hired me early in their pregnancy. They were expecting their third child. Krista had her first two daughters in a hospital and had received an epidural with both of them. She wanted something different this time around. She really wanted the full experience of a natural labor and delivery, so she decided to give birth at Baby+Co, a local birth center. She knew they would support and respect her wishes of having a natural birth, as well as, allow her daughters and other family members in the room. She wasn’t sure how she would handle and cope with contractions, but she knew a natural birth was what she wanted. Krista and Josh worked hard to prepare for the birth. They took a great birthing class. They hired a photographer and me. They even rented a birth pool to use for laboring at home. They wanted to stay and labor at home as long as possible. The plan was that I would come to their house once Krista felt like she needed me. Then I would help them decide when would be a good time to go ahead and go to the birth center, but baby had different plans!

     Starting between 35 and 36 weeks Krista began experiencing a lot of prodromal labor. There was even one time that we really thought she was in labor, and headed to the hospital since she wasn’t yet 37 weeks. It ended up being pre labor contractions, and a lot of uterine irritability. This persisted on and off for a few weeks. Krista was so strong and just kept going despite how uncomfortable she was. The midwives and I suggested many coping strategies. Finally, on Saturday, March 5th, 2016, baby Cheyenne decided she wouldn’t keep her parents waiting any longer.
            
     Krista sent me a text at 7:30am on March 5th. She said she was in labor and on the way to baby+Co. She said she woke up with contractions six minutes apart. I told her I would get up, get ready, and head to the birth center. I also asked her how intense her contractions were and which midwife was on call. She called me and said they were very intense. She couldn’t walk or talk through them, and that Mandessa was on call. Krista really loved Mandessa (who wouldn’t?), so I knew she was excited that she was there.
               
     I arrived at the birth center about 8:45am. I walked in, Krista and Josh were in the back birthing suite. Krista was sitting on her knees with her pelvis open in the tub, eating a popsicle. Josh was sitting next to her outside the tub supporting and encouraging her. Krista said Mandessa had checked her cervix when she arrived at the birth center. She was 5-6 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and the baby was at a -1 station. Contractions were about 3 minutes apart and lasting about 60 seconds. Krista was nauseous, so I put some peppermint oil on a cloth for her to sniff. It seemed to help relieve some of the nausea. I applied counter pressure on her hips and back during contractions. Around 9:00am, Mandessa encouraged Krista to get out and pee. I suggested that she work through a few contractions on the toilet while she was there. She did. Things were much more intense for her on the toilet, and she leaned into Mandessa during contractions while I applied pressure to her back.

 
     After sitting on the toilet through several contractions, Krista went back into the room and labored on hands and knees on the floor or leaning on Josh. I did hip squeezes on her during contractions. During this time, Krista’s mom showed up. She came in and was very encouraging and supportive of all the hard work Krista was doing. Not long after this, Krista’s grandma also came in and sat in the room. The contractions began to space out some, closer to 4 minutes apart. At 9:30am, Mandessa decided to do another check to see if Krista was still progressing. She checked her cervix, and Krista was still only 5 cm dilated. Her cervix hadn’t changed a bit. During this time, Krista’s grandfather arrived with Krista and Josh’s daughters. It was a full room full of people who very much love them. Unfortunately, Krista’s labor had slowed down quite a bit. The midwife gave her some herbs to help speed things along some. We also suggested she do squats and walk through the hallways or outside, if she felt comfortable with it. She didn’t feel at all comfortable going outside, so she just walked up and down the hall. Every time she had a contraction, she had to stop and get on hands and knees or squat in order to manage it. She did this for about 20 minutes.
               
     Around 10:10am, Krista returned to her room. Contractions were still about 3-4 minutes apart and a minute long. She started doing lunges. She would put one foot on the bed and lunge in between contractions, switching sides after each contraction. She still felt best doing hands and knees or squatting during the contraction. Krista’s mom sat at her foot, encouraging her. Josh held her and encouraged her. I continued to apply heat and counter pressure to her back. After doing lunges for a while, Mandessa and I sifted Krista’s belly with the rebozo. Then we bound her belly. With Krista’s stop and start labor, we suspected that the baby was in a less than ideal position, probably posterior.

 
     At 10:45am, Krista said she was feeling a lot of pressure. Mandessa asked if she could check her to see if it was time to push. Krista agreed. Mandessa checked her, and she had progressed some. All that work was paying off. She was completely dilated, except for an anterior lip on her cervix that was between 7-8 cm. Mandessa suggested she sit on the birth stool for a while to try and help that last bit of cervix open. Krista sat on the birth stool for a while and began pushing some with contractions. She didn’t like the stool, but she did it! Things began to intensify again, and then her water broke at 10:50am. Krista continued to labor on the birthing stool for a while. Mandessa suggested that it might be better if she could hold back the cervical lip while Krista pushed past it. Krista agreed. She moved to the bed and pushed some while lying on her side.
               
     Around 11:15am, Krista decided to get up and do some more lunges. She worked through each contraction standing and swaying. At 11:40am, she sat on the toilet and worked through a few contractions there. Things were beginning to slow down again. I suggested that maybe her and Josh might want some alone time, so we could all step out of the room or at least to the other side of the room, so that they could cuddle and kiss and get some more oxytocin flowing. Krista thought it might be a good idea for everyone to leave for just a little bit and get some lunch. She knew her older two were probably hungry, and this would also give her some alone time with Josh. We all left the room. I stayed in the waiting room, and everyone else ran out to get a quick lunch. About 12:30pm, Mandessa went back into the room to check on Krista, and to discuss a plan. Mandessa came back out, and told me that Krista and Josh had decided it might be best to have a few less people in the room, until it was time to push. They had decided to have only the midwife and myself in the room with them for a little while. Mandessa was on her way out. Her shift had actually ended that morning, but she was planning to stay until the birth. Unfortunately, she was on call the next two days and needed some sleep. Krista told her to go home and rest.
               
     Around 12:50pm, after talking with Mandessa, I went back into the birth room to see Krista and Josh. Krista was on hands and knees on the bed eating soup. Josh was sitting in front of her talking with her. I began applying heat and counter pressure to her back again during contractions. At 1:00pm, Jewell, the midwife now on call came in to check on things. Jewell did another cervical check to see where Krista was at. She was 8 cm, 100% effaced, and the baby was at a -1 station. At this point, Krista’s contractions had picked up again, and they were 3 minutes apart and 90 seconds long. Jewell mentioned that Krista’s water had not broken completely. There was still a fore bag. She also confirmed that the baby was posterior. Jewell gave Krista a couple of different options that might help speed things along. Krista chose to have her water broken. Shortly after this, Krista’s mom came in the room to check on her. Krista told her she had no problem with her staying in there for the rest of her labor.

     At 1:30 pm, Jewell came in and broke Krista’s water. Things really began to get intense after this. Krista labored on hands and knees in the bed. Then around 2:00pm, she moved to the shower. Once in the shower, she began to vomit during contractions, which is normal during transition. Josh was incredible support to Krista. He cleaned up after her and stood by her side, constantly encouraging her. I did the hip squeeze and counter pressure on Krista’s back with a warm compress. Krista’s mom sat watching. She spoke encouraging words and handed us wash cloths, towels, Gatorade, water, and whatever else Krista needed. Krista was surrounded by so much love and support while she worked so hard to bring her baby out.

      At 2:30 pm, Krista got out of the shower. She was really, really tired at this point. She had been laboring all day, and had been working so hard. Jewell suggested that maybe doing an IV might help her energy level. Krista returned to the bed and got the IV with fluids. About 15 minutes later, Krista hit that point that so many women do when they are at the very end of labor. She started saying that she couldn’t do it, and that she wanted pain medication. We all assured her that she was strong, and that she could do it and that she was doing it. She insisted that she couldn’t. Jewell suggested that she check her to see if it was time to push. She checked her cervix, and it was completely dilated. At 2:45pm, Krista began pushing. Cheyenne was born 16 minutes later at 3:01pm. They had the whole family come in to see the birth. Josh caught Cheyenne, and she was placed immediately skin to skin on Krista’s chest.

      They were surrounded by so much love. Everyone was so excited to finally meet Cheyenne. Josh was Krista’s rock during labor. He was attentive and supportive the entire time. Krista was so strong and powerful during labor. Baby Cheyenne was born into a room FULL of people who love her so much.