Emily
The Birth of Alfred Webb
Born on the 22nd of September 2021
Weight - 8pound 10ounces
Length - 52cm
Head – 35cm
Emily and Ben are a gorgeous couple, who are excited about becoming parents to a precious baby boy. Emily is a primary school teacher This is where Emily’s passion for learning has her in good stead. Emily is one very well-educated and prepared Birth Goddess in the making. Emily enjoyed learning all the information she could, to help her to prepare her body and her mind to birth her baby. Ben is also keen to learn all he can on how he can best support Emily in labour and birth. We are planning for physiological labour and birth; we also familiarise ourselves with what other options are available if we need a plan B. Ultimately Emily and Ben are planning for a positive birth experience, however, it may unfold.
37 WEEKS PREGNANT
The future is unknown, and so is your potential.
Emily developed high blood pressure at 37 weeks. This diagnosis has Emily and Ben coming to the realization that their baby may not make forty weeks before induction is deemed the safest way to birth her baby. In Emily's style, she takes in this new information engaging in a discussion with her care providers that will help her to create a new birth plan that enables Emily to be part of the planning. This way everyone is aware of what is important to Emily.
Medication is prescribed to help lower her blood pressure. Emily’s wishes are to safely keep her baby inside for as long as possible. I set off to visit Emily on several occasions, Emily is so bubbly and positive. We always have so much to talk about. Her enthusiasm for handling bumps in the road is a credit to this beautiful young woman. On my visits, I demonstrate the acupressure points that are known to help with lowering blood pressure. Emily has also engaged with an excellent acupuncturist. We are focusing on what Emily can control. This keeps the power with Emily, where it belongs. All the work that Emily has continued to do, to stay healthy, has enabled Emily to continue her pregnancy, and safely push out any talk of induction until 39 weeks and 1 day. On her next appointment, with high blood pressure again sees has Emily was admitted to the hospital. Emily’s care providers were now in discussion with Emily and Ben about birthing their baby sooner rather than waiting any longer.
“She was never quite ready. But she was brave. And the Universe listens to brave”.
Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is feeling the fear, the doubt, the insecurity, and deciding something else is more important.
Emily has a new birth plan, reflecting her new path, she also chooses to keep her original birth plan, In the hope that all who will be caring for Emily on her birth day still understand what is important in helping Emily to feel empowered, listened to and respected. Both Ben and Emily are now on the eve of looking forward to meeting their baby. We are all ready, here comes life!
21st of September I call into the observation room on my way home from a birth. I did have thoughts that I may be going between two birth suits today, thankfully that wasn’t to be.
As I mentioned earlier, My Birthing Goddess in waiting had been doing all the right things to help prepare her body for the early arrival of their baby. When Emily’s care providers were looking into what inductions methods they were going to use; The balloon catheter was deemed not necessary and prostaglandin gel was looking as the best option as Emily was already 1cm dilated. These are all good signs that Emily’s body is ready for labour. A bonus was that Emily was able to go home, take moment to reflect and prepare herself to come back at 4 pm for the prostaglandin gel. On her return, the LGH a second exam showed Emily was now 2cm dialled; meaning no prostaglandin gel is needed. Emily’s blood pressure was also stable. Emily and Ben can go home and come back in the morning at 7 am to have her waters broken. This is music to Emily’s ears. Emily and Ben can enjoy sleeping in their own bed tonight. This also gives them time at home to feel emotionally ready for their baby’s birth day the following morning.
Emily has already advised her medical care providers that she won’t be accepting the artificial hormone Syntocinon until her body has had a chance to go into spontaneous labour after her waters have been broken. Emily has really educated herself on birth and all her options. This has enabled Emily to have positive conversations with her medical care providers, asking all the relevant questions about the pros, and cons, and expressing what is important to her. We are all Looking forward to what tomorrow may bring
The day of birth is a sacred day.” – Lailah Gifty Akita
22nd of September. Emily and Ben arrive at the LGH at 7 am, at about 8.10 am. Emily’s waters are broken.
Emily again requests no Syntocinon until her body had a chance to see how it reacts to having her waters broken. Emily sits on a birth ball and is just chilling out as they wait and see what may happen.
I am receiving updates but, I have not joined Emily and Ben yet. Though, I am eagerly waiting at home for the call to say things are happening.
“Birth is the pinnacle where women discover the courage to become mothers.” – Anita Diamant
10 00 am Emily’s body is quite happy to just keep chilling. Unfortunately, this isn’t going to help labour progress. It is now recommended that the Syntocinon drip is hooked up to start contractions.
11.34 am Ben messages me to inform me that Emily has been administered the Syntocinon for about an hour and a half. Emily’s body was very sensitive to receiving the Syntocinon, it was like one whiff, and she was off. Emily is breathing through these strong surges on the birth ball.
I am on my way.
I Arrive at 12 pm
Emily is in active labour, sitting on the birth ball and leaning over the bed. Emily’s sensations are extremely strong and around 1min apart. Truly, I am in awe at how well Emily is working to keep up with these surges and hold her power. I mention turning down the Syntocinon, as Emily just isn’t getting a break between surges. the midwives inform me that they had.
We now help Emily to the bathroom, as she continues to breathe through these mighty and raw surges, trying her utmost to go with them and not against them. Much more easily said than done. We are all encouraging Emily and reminding her how amazing she is.
Emily may not have been able to control her goal of a physiological start to labour, but my gosh she is not letting anything else go that is within her power.
‘She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.”
12.27 pm We help Emily up on the bed, so she can lay on her side and will try the gas to see if she can find some relief. Emily feels like she may like some pain relief. Emily is feeling very faint, and the back-to-back sensations are getting even stronger as her baby moves down through her pelvis.
The Syntocinon is all but off. Emily’s body has taken over, and Emily is feeling a lot of pressure in her bottom. Ben and I rub Emily’s legs and apply cool cloths to her head. Offering Emily her drink bottle to make sure she is keeping hydrated.
A vaginal exam at 12.50 pm is a necessary hospital policy before any medication can be administered. Emily is between 7- 8cm dilated. This is enough information for Emily to reframe and decide that she is on the home stretch. She no longer wants any pain relief.
Emily may have not been quite ready for the speed her labour was progressing. But she was brave. And the Universe listens to brave.
Ben is a loving and gentle presence; we are both trying to keep a peaceful space for Emily to feel safe in.
1 pm Emily and Ben’s baby’s heart rate starts to drop suddenly after the vaginal exam. There is a flurry of midwives and our obstetrician for today also rushes into the room. Emily had been briefed earlier in the day that sometimes everyone rushes into the room to be there just in case they are needed. Mostly they are not needed at all. And to not let her thoughts wander into thinking something is wrong straight away.
Of course, it still looks scary, Ben is understandably feeling worried as he watches on. I rub Ben’s shoulders and comfort him. I can see the fear in his eyes, it is heart-wrenching to feel helpless as you watch on and worry about your partner and your unborn baby, knowing you cannot do anything but look on, the obstetrician examines Emily again. She informs us that there is nothing to worry about. Emily has dilated to 10cm very quickly and their baby’s head is being compressed, this is perfectly normal for their heart rate to drop at this time.
Emily is ready to birth her baby. The Syntocinon is turned completely off. These surges are no bigger than Emily, they belong to her. Emily will use each one of them to birth her baby.
1.30 pm Emily has been moving into all the optimal positions to birth her baby, while on the bed; from the sideline to all fours and back again. She is working so hard; we all continue to support Emily emotionally and physically.
“Women are strong, strong, terribly strong. We don’t know how strong until we’re pushing out our babies.” – Louise Erdrich
1.45 pm We are again in the company of the Obstetrician on shift today, she is a straight-to-the-point woman. “Why haven’t you had your baby” she announces to the room.
Emily is exhausted, but she will continue to dig deep, finding her inner strength to support her to keep going. The Obstetrician feels that their baby is getting tired. She wants him to be born sooner rather than later.
She asks Emily to trust her and move to a more sitting position with her legs pushing for strength against the feet rests. She then basically says,” you have two pushes to get him out on your own”. Feel my fingers? this is where you are to push into. Nothing like a bit of pressure.
Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is feeling the fear, the doubt, the insecurity, and deciding something else is more important.
My birthing goddess is on her own DeVine mission to birth her baby
The gas wasn’t helping Emily to find her flow. So, with that put to the side, Emily is giving it her everything. Emily moved her baby right down, and we could see his head of dark hair. Ben and I continued to encourage our birthing goddess.
We are so proud of all she is achieving.
Hold on, here comes life, Emily did let out an expletive word as her baby’s shoulders descended and then she kicks her leg out.
2.09 pm Our faces light up the room as relief washes over us all. A very healthy, alert and happy baby boy makes his debut into his mummy’s arms.
Emily’s face glowing and her smile is beaming, who would have thought moments ago she was birthing her baby? Alfie is a chubby pink alert bundle of perfection. Ben and Emily look lovingly at each other and then at their new baby. Time seems to stand still for just a moment for us all to take in the miracle of life that we have just witnessed.
Welcome to the world sweet little Alfie, I am sure a great adventure is about to begin.
“You will never know the amount of love you can give to somebody until you give birth to your first child.” – Unknown
As you can see Emily had a fast labour and birth. In between the sensations, Emily was very proactive in asking questions. As her birth was being medically managed, Emily wanted a full understanding of what they were offering or suggesting to her, so that she in turn could process and consent with the knowledge that she had looked at all her options.
As you know, birth isn’t over until the placenta makes a debut. In Emily’s case, her placenta was very happy where it was. No amount of coaxing would encourage it to make an appearance. Emily is sadly separated from Alfie and Ben; she is taken to the theatre to have her placenta safely removed. Ben and I care for Alfie until mummy and baby can be reunited again. Both where they belong; with each other.
“So, the question remains. Is childbirth painful? Yes. It can be, along with a thousand amazing sensations for which we have yet to find adequate language. Every birth is different, and every woman’s experience and telling of her story will be unique.” – Marcie Macari
Thank you, Emily, and Ben, for inviting me along to be part of your special birth story.
I have had the privilege to watch little Alfie grow into a gorgeous little boy. He is very blessed. With two loving and caring parents to guide and love him for always xxx