Look at the beautiful mama!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!  I just came back from my first birth this Christmas Eve, and it was the most perfect first birth ever!

Mama had a few hours of early labor, then things really got crankin’ around 1 pm.  She got down to the hospital at 3:30 pm and baby was born at 4:22!  We all arrived at the hospital at the same time, mom was checked and at 8 cm, then she got in the tub for only about 20 minutes.  It was just a few contractions in the tub when she started feeling tons of pressure and the urge to push, so we got out and she got on all fours on the bed.  The midwife had to step out to attend another birth so a resident that mama hadn’t met before came it.  She was wonderful!!  Basically she said, “You feel good in that position?  Ok, I can work with that!”  Two or three pushes and beautiful baby was born.

Mama did so terrific dealing with contractions.  She was joking in between and looked really relaxed.  When a contraction would hit she would just go limp, groan a bit, let it wash over her, and be totally in the moment.  I was so proud of her!  She did it naturally, just like she wanted (and she doubted to the end, but everyone else had faith!  she is so strong!).

It’s so funny, she said she couldn’t have done it without us (Lauren Williams and I) and I’m like, “Really??  Because you give birth like a rockstar!”  I know a doula doesn’t have to *do* something all the time, but I was only there under an hour before baby was born and I didn’t do too much.  Mom just totally rocked!

Mostly I feel privileged and honored to be a part of this day with them.

Merry Christmas All!

Amy