Birth Story of Baby E

Tuesday I had the honor of being at a birth. I was the back up for another girl who wasn't able to be there with the expectant parents. They were admitted to the hospital about 6:00 pm on Tuesday night at 4 cm and her water had been broken for several hours already. So finally at about 1:30 am I received the call that I needed to be there to relieve the other girl and she hadn't dilated any further so they had started pitocin. By the time I arrived at the hospital she had been on pitocin for a while and had been coping very well. However, they were about to increase the drip and she decided to relax and progress she needed an epidural. Because of the meds, she had alot of shaking. We tried to manage the shaking by me rubbing some lavender essential oil on my fingertips and massaging her scalp. That was the only thing that worked! After about 15 minutes of me doing that, she was out like a light. The epidural was a great decision on her part, as within the next, approximately, 4 hours, she went from 5 centimeters to 10!! It was time to start pushing!

Most people that have an epidural need a while getting alot of direction on pushing. Well not this mommy! She picked it up on the first push. Not only did she pick it up like a champ, but she did it for 3 hours and 55 minutes and never complained. Not once! After almost 4 hours of pushing the doctor decided she needed a little help getting baby out, as she was at 41 weeks and there was meconium present in the fluid when her water broke. So with a little help from some forceps, baby girl E was born at 2:35pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Of course, seeing as how there was meconium present, they had to call in the special care doctors to check baby, and she had to be taken to NICU. She was perfectly healthy otherwise, weighing 7lbs 6 oz and beautiful as could be.

The parents were completely elated with the whole process, and I may not ever see a couple that loves and supports eachother more than these two. They were a great team, and did an awesome job in labor!

Happy Friday to All,
Doula Tiffany