Colette
Hello World
Introducing Master Oliver David Wilcox
Born on the 1.12.2020
Colette and Luke, two of the sweetest couples I have ever met. Truly, if you know these two you would understand what I mean when I say, “I believe there are angels walking amongst us.”
Colette and Luke first contacted me after they had completed a Calm Birth Preparation course with my dear friend Cherie Chugg. Cherie is also a doula who talks freely about the benefits of birth and postnatal doulas in her classes. This was enough for Colette and Luke to look at each other and say, “We need one of those!”
After Cherie shared my number with Colette and Luke, we immediately arranged to meet up and the rest is a beautiful story of friendship, trust and believing in the power of birth.
Colette shared with me that she was initially scared and nervous about birthing her son.
Colette knew what she needed to work on. She knew she had the skills, the knowledge and the unconditional love and support from Luke. All that was left was a doula: someone that would be by her and Luke’s side for however long it took to birth this precious baby boy.
Colette was also under the care of her private Obstetrician. He was more than happy with how well Colette and her son were tracking. Whenever baby was ready, we were ready.
Baby Wilcox was in no hurry and at 40+7 days, he made his move.
I said to Colette before her baby’s arrival: “I hope you have as much faith in yourself to birth your baby as a I have in you.”
I felt strongly that Colette, with Luke and I by her side, was going to be nothing short of amazing
“When you come to the edge of all the light that you know and are preparing to dive into unpredictable and unfamiliar waters. Faith is knowing one of two things will happen.
There will be something solid to stand onto or you will be taught to fly. And fly she did.”
30.11.2020 – at 6.20, a text message beginning with, “I’m sorry to bother you,” alerted me that baby Wilcox was on the move.
Colette’s sensations were fairly close together and already taking up all of her attention.
A bath and some breakfast were on the agenda to help Colette relax and get some food in her tummy.
7.28am - Luke messaged me to say that Colette was really uncomfortable and didn’t have time to eat between sensations.
8am - A decision was made to head to the Launceston General Hospital.
9.30am - We were in the assessment room and Colette was on a CTG, checking babies heart rate.
Mum and baby are both doing beautifully.
We set up a temporary home with the birth Cub on the bed so Colette could labour in an optimal position that also allowed her to rest.
Luke and I rubbed her legs with aromatherapy oil mixed in a carrier oil. We also had a heat pack for her tummy for comfort. Colette was very good at keeping up her fluids so as to prevent dehydration.
10-10.30am - Colette is a trooper. We managed to perform a spinning baby sideline release, done on both sides to relieve lopsided muscle tension in the pelvis and the pelvic floor. We finished off with some acupressure.
Around 10.30am Colette agreed to a vaginal exam which confirmed that her cervix was still posterior and that she was in early labour. They recommended that we all go home and come back when Colette was in established labour. Initially she wasn’t so keen on this idea, however, if she stayed, she would not be in the labour ward but in a shared room. This meant she would only be allowed either Luke or myself to stay with her. Therefore, going home seemed like the perfect plan!
12.10pm - Luke and I created a relaxing little retreat at home for Colette to continue labouring in and help keep her relaxed and calm. The tens machine was now in use, coupled with the aromatherapy diffuser and the heat packs. The birth ball and the birth cub were set up too. Colette had plenty of options, which made it easy for us to support her. The final touches were a hydrolyte drink and the film, Bridesmaids on the TV. Luke and I continued to support Colette through each wave with soft touch and positive words of encouragement. It’s all very calm and lovely!
1pm - Colette’s sensations were defiantly taking up more of her attention, getting stronger and finding a rhythm. We engaged in some spinning baby sideline lunges, Rebozo sifting and shaking the apple trees to help this little boy along.
2.30pm - Luke ran a warm bath for Colette. She was feeling a bit nauseous. We moved the diffuser into the bathroom and put on some relaxing music. I then left Colette and Luke alone for some time. I decided to watch a bit more of Bridesmaids.
3.pm - I went back to the bathroom. Colette was leaning over the bath, labouring like a champ.
Women in labour! Truly, they always look so beautiful.
Colette agreed to me taking some photos of her in the bath. She started giggling. It was contagious. Colette confided that this was the first time anyone had taken naked photos of her before. She felt like a porn star! We all started laughing. I had never thought of myself as a naked photographer before either, but that is what my subjects usually are. We still laugh about it now.
I could see the admiration on Luke’s face as he witnessed Colette fearlessly breathe through each sensation.
Luke is so calm and caring. It was evident from our first meeting that the love he displays for the beautiful young wife of his, is a deep as the ocean.
To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything
-T. Toils
This little pocket rocket showed no sign of the angst that plagued her thoughts in those early months of pregnancy. Colette was listening to her body and working with it, not against it. As I remind her, labour will never ask you to be fearless … only to be brave. Breathe through one minute, and mother nature will then give you time to take a breath and get ready for the next wave. We can all do anything for one minute. Tick each one off. It’s done, and your one step closer to meeting your baby.
Colette was definitely in established labour. We decided to pack up and head to the LGH.
Of course, in the middle of the day, parking is always an issue. Luke dropped Colette and I off while he went to find a car park.
I have never seen anyone fill out a COVID19 check form so fast! I was still going while Colette said “Done!”
We seemed to be drawing some attention as we kept stopping for Colette to breathe through the sensations. A nurse approached us with a look of concern on her face. She was worried that Colette was about to have her baby in the hallway. We assured her this was not the case and we were on our way to the labour ward. She walked ahead, but the onlookers still all had their eyes on us. I also noticed a bit of a cuffuffle up ahead – it was the same nurse running towards us with a wheelchair. She seemed very determined to escort us all the way.
3.55pm – Colette, Luke and I were settled in our room. Colette was leaning over the birth cub, finding some relief with the gas. We had another laugh as Colette posed for some photos for a new ‘Mummalyte’ hydrolyte drink that I was trying out from a supplier in Australia.
4.30 - Colette discovered that another bath helped her keep focused and provided some comfort.
Colette was feeling a lot of pressure in her bottom through each surge. We continued with the fluids, relaxation music and positive words, with the additional relief of some warm water poured over her back.
5.30pm - Out of the bath. Colette agreed to a cervical exam. She was 5cm dilated. My intuition told me that Colette was feeling a bit deflated by the number 5. Our cervix is not a crystal ball and the reality is, that 5cm is an awesome effort. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes with your cervix before it even begins to dilate. Colette was feeling tired and now had thoughts of her labour being a very long marathon.
Baby seemed to be coping well, though his heart rate was slightly elevated
Colette made an informed choice and requested an epidural. I strongly believed that this was influenced by the daunting number 5.
Colette and Luke go blank when asked if they know what an epidural is by the Anesthetist.
In the moment they say “No,” – but they did know what one is. We laughed about that one too, later.
6.30pm - Colette’s surges were back-to-back and the epidural was about to go in.
7.20pm - It became apparent that the epidural was ineffective. No relief whatsoever.
Colette laughed: ‘that would be her luck.’
It really is true that wherever the mind goes, the body follows. Ever since Colette knew that she was going to be able to have some pain relief, she had been extremely calm through the strong surges that continued to come close together.
I asked her, “are you sure that you still want an epidural? you’re doing amazing.”
7.30pm - Colette shared with us that she would like to go ahead and have an epidural.
Understandably, our Birthing Goddess was feeling exhausted.
Round 2 of the epidurals. This time… success!
We encouraged Colette to stay on her side so as to help her labour in the optimal birth position (we no longer had gravity to work with). Thankfully, the epidural did not slow down Colette’s surges - they remained strong.
10.20pm - Colette was now at 9cm. She agreed to have her waters broken.
At this time, Colette was asking Luke to get her lash brush. She wanted to look good for her first meeting with her baby. Luke fossicked about but couldn’t find one. We laughed as she made do with her fingers as a brush. Our midwife commented that even after 20 hours of labour, Collette looked absolutely beautiful. And that she did. Blonde tussled hair, bright eyes and rosy cheeks and lips. No make-up.
The clock ticks over. it’s now 1.12.2020
I’m not sure the exact time, but I’m thinking it’s about now that Luke and Colette decide they would like a private room once this little man makes his debut. Our midwife discretely whispered the price to Luke. After what Luke had witnessed today in his brave young wife, money was not the driver. The room was set up.
12.20am - Colette had been fully dilated for an hour. It was time to change her breathing and concentrate on directing all her energy into pushing.
I’m sure Colette was feeling tired, the epidural had given her some time to rest and now her hormones would give her a burst of adrenalin. Excitement and the anticipation of holding her son in her arms will see my birthing goddess dig dep inside her soul and find her own power to go with these urges, to bring her baby into the world for the next two hours.
I could see the muscles in her arms as she held onto the side bar. Luke and I encouraged her and made sure she had water and cold cloths to keep her cool and hydrated.
Luke and Colette’s plan for a family had been a long time in the making. Colette knows that even miracles take a little time.
1.30pm - For two hours, Colette felt like he was right there. Colette shared with us that there was so much pressure, almost as if he was going to shoot out at any moment.
This is where there is a twist in Colette and Luke’s birth story that neither Luke, Colette, the midwives or I saw coming at all.
After two hours, not one part of baby Wilcox’s head was visible.
The Obstetrician on that night was called in to assess the reason as to why there had been no progress after two hours of Colette working so hard.
He found that baby Wilcox had turned into more of a posterior position and had his head tilted in the mid pelvis. He went on to say that baby Wilcox had a lot of swelling on his head that would give the impression that he was a lot lower into the pelvis than he actually is. The labour had been long, and their baby had coped really well, but he had for the last few hours shown signs of getting tired. My heart felt grateful to hear the obstetrician acknowledge that Colette had done everything right - that her body works perfectly. Babies sometimes get themselves into positions, even after we try so hard to make optimum space for them. He discussed some options with us to consider. The safest option: trying to help baby down with the ventouse or a cesarean section.
There were tears, labour and birth are such an emotion filled, sacred time.
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside of you that is greater than any obstacle” – Christian D. Larson
Colette prepared for all the roads that her birth may take her on. My beautiful young mother wiped her tears and smiled at us all. She bravely told us all that she was proud of what she had achieved and that she had waited a long time for this gift of baby. Colette was tired and with Luke by her side, they were more than ready to meet their son.
It is clear to see how appreciative Colette is of Luke’s love, support and integrity. She is blessed to call him her husband and the father of their child. His love and belief in Colette is heart-warming to witness.
2am - There was a lot of love and emotion in the room as Colette and Luke left to go to Theatre. Sadly, I couldn’t accompany them to Theatre to continue my support.
I waited for the couple of hours it took for Colette, Luke and their beautiful baby boy to make their way as a new little family of three back to their room.
Colette had the biggest smile on her face. Her smile is contagious. My heart was overflowing with happiness for them all as I listened to the grand finale of her birth story. I was again teary and proud. By the time Colette reached theatre, she calmly made her own informed decision on how she wanted to go and collect the soul of her baby and bring him earthside. At this time, neither Colette nor their baby was in distress. And that was the way she wanted to keep it. Her intuition and her heart made the decision to birth with a cesarean.
“And while her birth story may have looked different than she’d imagined, this moment remained the same. A breathtaking and powerful reunion.” -Mone Moutrie
Welcome to the world Oliver David Wilcox. At 2.47 am weighting 4058g (8lb 15oz) 56cm long head measurement 35cm of perfection.
You were definitely worth waiting for.
Life has gifted you two of the most loving parents. A wonderful life awaits you, Ollie.
How do you spell love? – Piglet
You don’t spell it- you feel it - Pooh
To say I am proud of Colette is an understatement. I have physically witnessed the birth of a new woman and a newborn mother. This quote sums up my feelings when I think of Colette: “Birth is not about making babies. Birth is about making mothers strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” – unknown
Thank you, Colette and Luke, so much for trusting in me to be your guide and inviting me to be apart of your special birth story. It has been an absolute joy getting to know you and your family.
Love Krista xxxx
In Colette’s own words: Oliver’s birth was such an incredible experience, which gave Luke and I such a positive birth story. An experience I was always nervous and scared about, it was the most beautiful and positive journey that gave us our miracle baby.