Hands

Hands

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Baby Joseph

On Monday there was a heads up call from this momma of 4 others, canceling our appointment for Tuesday.  On Tuesday late afternoon, after a day full of wonderful families visits I got a call from Dad, letting me know that something was happening.  I asked if I should be on my way and he said yes.  I hurriedly finished the prenatal I was with while my apprentice was trying to contact our next momma to let her know we had to boogie out.  The momma who we had to reschedule was very gracious about being moved.  

The laboring family was gracious and sweet and a joy to get to know.  We didn't get to meet dad until the home visit but he got to come to the last prenatal also.  I was delighted to get to see them together.  She really blossoms around her husband.  The prayers we shared together and the home visit dinner prepared mainly by her kiddos were wonderful.  

We raced around the interstate in rush hour traffic.  Grateful when we arrived.  Brought our stuff up stairs.  The house was very quite the kiddos already gone with Grandparents. 

Dad seemed a little nervous when we first arrived but after we got stuff set up and listened to baby a few times he was back to comforting and being right by her side.   She was walking throughout contractions and things slowed for a little bit when we first got there and got set up.  She mentioned several times how different this labor was.  Prenatally she mentioned to me that all other times someone had broken her water, even with her last homebirth.  I said that was fine and assured her that her water would break on its own.  I am not sure she believed me.  

She used the bathroom a few times and on one of her walking trips had a big splash as her water broke.  She said again "this time sure is different" and I just smiled.  After that she slipped into their nice big tub and continued working through her contractions.  Her water at first was clear than after about 5 minutes some meconium stained fluid begin showing in the bath tub.  We talked about what that might mean but all along heart tones continued to sound wonderful.  

She began vocalizing occasionally with contractions and my apprentice and I smiled at each other in the other room. Won't be long now I was thinking.  The kiddos were back at home downstairs with grandma and grandpa.  Momma seemed to relax and be ready to do her hard work once her whole family was under the same roof.  Their only daughter really wanted to be there for it and was really hoping for a girl.  She mentioned that she needed to push and began pushing this beautiful little boy out into the world.  He had been posterior the last several prenatal visits but upon entering he was anterior and momma later said she noticed no back labor.  

He had some thick gunky mec that took some deleeing to get out but after 5 minutes he was doing great.  They were so excited and momma was pretty sure that this he was gonna be a she but when they realized what kind of baby oh they had they were just as ecstatic.  Such joy and love in the room.  So thankful to get to share this with them.