Melanie

The Birth of Addison Verlie Van Zetten

Born on the 25th of August 2022 at 5:09 AM

Weight: 7 pounds 14 ounces

Length: 50 cm

 "Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." — Lin Yutang*

I’m filled with so much love and gratitude as I share the story of Addison Verlie’s birth. This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of being there for Mel and Josh as they welcomed a new little one into their arms. It feels like just yesterday we were in the middle of labour with Remy, and now, here we are again. It’s hard to believe these two will be growing up just 14 months apart.

I remember being at Banjo’s, ordering a coffee, when I glanced down at my phone and saw a message from Mel asking if I was free in August. I was so shocked that I couldn’t even get my order out to the sales assistant. I absolutely adore Mel and Josh, so it was a real honour to be part of the birth of their second baby. If you’ve read Remy’s birth story on my website, you’ll know that Mel is a true birthing goddess. Remy’s birth was long and definitely threw some unpredictable curveballs our way, but Mel handled it all with incredible strength and grace.

Mel is prepared and well-informed about birth, and she understands the profound power she holds. I have no doubt that she’ll face whatever this birth asks of her with love, bravery, and resilience. This, I know for sure.

"The power of a woman in birth is profound. She becomes an unstoppable force of nature, drawing on strength she never knew she had." — Unknown

As Mel's birth day approached, the excitement grew as we eagerly anticipated the arrival of the newest little Van Zetten. Mel and Josh know they are about to welcome a precious baby girl into a world filled with open arms and hearts brimming with love."

The Birth of Addison Verlie Van Zetten

On August 23rd, life had a unique way of unfolding. Just as with Remy, Mel’s labour began while I was already with another client in labour. What were the chances? I couldn’t believe it was happening again. When Mel contacted me in the early hours of the morning to say she was in early labour, I was at the hospital with a client who was over 42 weeks pregnant. Mel was 39 weeks, and it was remarkable that both babies decided to make their entrance around the same time.

Mel navigated the early and mid-stages of labour with confidence, trust, and patience. Staying at home all day, breathing and moving through her sensations, as she waited for me to be available to join her. Mel is a credit to herself, labouring on until the evening at home. Throughout the day, I would check on her, and she always had someone there to support her.

8:06 PM – Mel reached out to her MGP midwife, sharing that her contractions were becoming more intense and were now about 4-6 minutes apart. Mel’s midwife advised Mel to stay at home and focus on resting. Mel understood how important it was to conserve her energy, knowing that labour can be a long journey, and she would need all her strength for the journey ahead of her.

Around 9:00 PM – Mel knew it was time for her and Josh to make their way to the labour ward. After some challenges getting through to the labour ward by phone, they finally managed to connect, and they were on their way.

9:30 PM – Just by chance, as I walked out of the labour ward, I spotted Mel and Josh up against the wall, waiting for a sensation to pass so they could enter the birth suite. I think we all felt a wave of relief wash over us as we saw each other. My other client hadn’t birthed her baby yet, so this is where the dance between labour rooms began for me. My heart was committed to ensuring both of my clients felt special, had my presence, and received my support. I must have looked a sight, running from room to room every 10 minutes.

10:15 PM– I was finally able to offer Mel and Josh my full attention. I was in awe of my birthing goddess, watching as she breathed and moved through the strong sensations with such trust in her body and her baby. I set up the birth cub on the bed so Mel could stand and lean over it. Her hair was in braids, and she looked just beautiful. There is a golden glow that I’m sure women in labour don’t feel, but it radiates out of them.

We had fairy lights, an aromatherapy diffuser, and Mel’s own special playlist softly playing in the background, creating a peaceful and serene space for her to labour and birth in. Mel was leaning over the birth cub, with a yoga block under her foot to help create space for her baby to descend. She was in good spirits, smiling between sensations. When the contractions came, Mel entered her birth zone, breathing deeply with the gas. Josh and I held her hands and rubbed her back as she moved with the waves, embracing them rather than fighting against them. The birth comb also proved to be a useful tool for Mel. We know labour and birth are hard work, but she made it look so achievable.

"The power of women in birth is a reminder of the incredible strength that lies within all of us, waiting to be awakened." — Unknown

At this time, Mel’s waters had not yet broken. She felt pressure in her bottom, and the waves of nausea, followed by vomiting, caused us to reach quickly for the sick bag. Mel’s labour was progressing, with sensations growing stronger and closer together, coming every three minutes.

As the clock approached midnight, Mel continued to lean over the birth cub, moving her body through the waves of labour, nausea, and vomiting. We moved the birth cub so Mel could rest her legs by being up on all fours on the bed. The gas was her best friend at this point.

"Psychological labour during childbirth is as important as the physical act of labour. It involves the mental and emotional preparation that empowers a woman to trust her body, embrace the experience, and navigate the journey of bringing new life into the world."

12.00 AM I heated up a nice warm heat pack for Mel.

12:10 AM, she lay on her side to rest, though the nausea soon returned, more intense than before. This time it went everywhere. Mel and I now laugh about this moment, remembering how her vomit somehow managed to cover everything in its path—herself, myself, the pillowcase, and even the heat pack on her stomach. It was at that point I thought a shower might be a good idea, which turned out to be the perfect suggestion. The warmth of the water brought comfort to Mel, allowing her to relax and feel a sense of calm amidst the intensity of the sensations. Her body was giving clear signals that it was opening and preparing to welcome her little one. After the shower, our midwife wrapped Mel in a warm blanket as she settled back into bed.

At 12:45 AM on the 25th of August, Mel was on the bed, working hard while lying on her side. She was feeling warm now, but she stayed on top of keeping hydrated. We offered her some cold cloths for her head to help cool her down. Mel was in sync with her body, her voice, making those grounding birth sounds—her own powerful song of labour.

“The song of labour and birth is a rhythmic symphony, capturing the essence of a transformative journey. It’s a melody of powerful contractions and gentle pauses, each note reflecting the strength and resilience of the birthing mother. This song intertwines the raw intensity of labour with moments of calm and connection, echoing the deep, instinctive dance between mother and baby. It’s a beautiful, unique soundtrack that celebrates the incredible work of bringing new life into the world. Witnessing this powerful song makes our hearts sing.”

Josh was a constant support, holding her hand and her heart. Josh knows first-hand just how brave and fearless his wife can be. There are no mountains she can’t climb, and we were with her, supporting and loving her, ensuring she knew how amazing she was, even if she didn’t feel it at the moment.

"There is no greater force in the world than a woman in labour." — Unknown

12:45 AM – Mel was deeply immersed in her labour, using the gas to help her breathe through each wave. She rhythmically tapped her face to ease the tension in her jaw, understanding that relaxing her jaw also helped release the tightness in her pelvis. Despite feeling exhausted, Mel’s determination shone through as she continued to navigate the challenges of labour with incredible strength and perseverance.

1:40 AM – There was a big gush as Mel’s waters released. Thankfully, they were clear. Mel had been feeling so much pressure that this was a relief. Her birth hormones were dancing the tango, and she had the shakes to prove it.

"Women’s bodies are designed for birth. They have the strength, resilience, and wisdom to bring new life into the world." — Unknown

2:10 AM – Mel was lying on her side, singing her labour song as she worked through the waves. I gently moved the peanut ball in and out from between her legs while she navigated moments of nausea and vomiting. Mel was very aware that the pressure was continuing to build. Josh managed to sneak in a quick nap on the pull-out chair, while our midwife and I stayed close by, offering quiet support. Mel had entered that sacred, transcendent space where labouring women often go—a place beyond the physical, where time seems to blur and the world narrows to the rhythm of birth. It's a space where she was both aware and deeply within herself, no longer seeking touch but finding strength in our quiet presence and gentle reassurances.

"In birth, women embody the true essence of strength and courage, transforming their bodies and spirits to welcome new life." — Unknown

3:30 AM – Mel began to mention about the sounds she was making. It’s funny the things we are aware of about when our bodies are trying to birth a baby. Our midwife reminded her that it was her birth song. In reflection after Mel’s birth, she shared that she was embracing all that birth asks of you this time around. She knew they were part of her birth power coping strategies.

 Mel continued to change positions, talking to her baby, letting her daughter know that she was excited and ready to meet her.

I’m not sure exactly when I managed to nap, but I know I needed to have a rest and fell asleep in the room feeling confident that everything was going smoothly. When I woke up, the mood had changed. There was a lot of talk among the care team, and I heard concerns about the baby’s heart dropping. It was clear that they were now focused on making sure that Mel and Josh’s baby was continuously monitored, and keen for this little baby to born sooner rather than later.

One of Mel’s prenatal midwifes suggested Mel have a “safe word” to remind herself to surrender. Mel was doing so well, listening to her body and breathing with each sensation, but she shared later that she would have appreciated acknowledgement of her progress from her care providers, as although we could all tell she was getting close, our birthing goddess wasn’t as convinced.

Our midwife asked, “It looks like you’re feeling like you are wanting to push. Do you want to go for it, or would you prefer I check first?” Mel opted for a check but only wanted to hear her dilation if it was 9 or 10 cm.

When our midwife noticed a small amount of cervix still present and some swelling, she advised against pushing to prevent any further swelling. This was incredibly challenging for Mel, as her body was instinctively pushing and had other ideas. We helped her get into an all-fours position, like a downward dog, to try to relieve the pressure on the cervix. I used acupressure to help reduce the swelling, while our midwife worked to move the lip out of the way.

Mel moved back onto her side and then continued to push with her urges, guided by her instincts and our support. And it was working beautifully. Mel was not interested when she being told when to push, she was more trusting in doing what her body was asking her to do.

At this time Mel agreed to have a catheter inserted since Mel had experienced bladder issues during her previous labour with Remy, and it seemed like it might be a concern again.

A young obstetrician came in to assist and suggested that Mel might need help with the ventouse to birth her baby, but Mel was having none of it, determined to do it on her own.

She was encouraged to be more on her back as the medical team were now wanting to stay and be part of Mel’s birth.

"The strength of a woman in labour is the purest form of power—an instinctive, unstoppable force that brings new life into the world. In those moments, she becomes a warrior, a creator, and the very essence of life itself."

Mel felt a wave of relief when a familiar midwife entered the room. This midwife helped Mel take control of her breathing, pushing and panting, and you could see the happiness wash over Mel’s face and in her voice — she was so happy to see her. The midwife connected with Mel in such a calm and reassuring way, making her feel safe and confident to trust her body and follow its lead. I remember Mel’s deep concentration as she worked so hard, emotionally and physically, fully in sync with her body. Her baby is making her way into the world, and Mel was right there with her baby, every step of the way.  

Mel is gripping the bedhead with all her strength, using every ounce of energy as she nears the moment of holding her baby in her arms. The excitement in the room is building as we support Mel and await the debut of this precious little one. Then, with a joyful announcement from the midwife, “The baby’s head is out,” the miracle of birth becomes beautifully real.

Mel can birth her baby in one more push, but it is visible that her shoulders seemed to be a tight fit. The obstetrician asked, “Which way, do you want to rotate your shoulders little one?” I could see it was a very snug fit, and I felt some nerves creep in, especially remembering how Mel’s first baby had experienced shoulder dystocia as his birth took a frightening turn as his shoulders were tightly stuck. I glanced at Josh, and I could see he was feeling the same worry and anxiety. But Mel, our incredible goddess, was doing everything she could.

With the help and guidance of the obstetrician’s skilled hands and just a few more big pushes and pants, their precious baby was born into the world at 5.09am, followed by a gush of fluid. The cord was gently slipped over her head, and she was passed up to her mummy’s waiting arms.

In that precious moment, time seemed to stand still. Witnessing Mel and Josh’s little one make her debut was nothing short of witnessing a miracle—a breathtaking moment that words can hardly capture. There should be a special name for this incredible experience, when life begins anew, and the world seems to pause to welcome something so pure and beautiful.

Their baby let out a little cry but seemed a bit dazed by her sudden entry into the world. When some firm rubbing didn’t quite bring her fully around, the midwives decided the cord may need to be cut now and their baby passed over to the pediatrician. As soon as their baby was handed to the pediatrician, she filled the room with a hearty, healthy cry. In mere seconds, she transformed into a vision of pink and perfection, and the room was awash with our smiling faces.

A little bit of oxygen, and she was back in Mel’s arms, looking around with her little eyes full of wonder and then eagerly latching on for her first breastfeed. Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, I am remembering Mel’s, radiant smile at looking down in awe at her beautiful new baby and then looking up lovingly at Josh, a true reflection of her joy and accomplishment.

Mel had achieved a physiological labour and birth, with just a little bit of assistance from the obstetrician. No tears, and no grazes. Mel even laughed and asked, “Is that a good sign?”.

Mel held Addison skin-to-skin, feeling her tiny heart beating against her own. I remember the tears in Josh’s eyes as he gazed at his wife and daughter, overflowing with love and admiration for them both. It was a special moment to have the honour to witness.

All of us in the room were wrapped in our own little bubble of joy. Happiness just glowed on every one of our faces.

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." — Osho

As we know birth isn’t over until the placenta makes her debut. And for a second time Mel has a stubborn placenta that refused to leave Mel’s womb now that her job was done. We waited and waited, trying various things, including spending some quiet time in the dark bathroom to see if that might help. After about two hours, it became clear that the placenta wasn’t coming out on its own. Mel would need to go to theatre for its removal under general anaesthetic.

Once her placenta was removed in theatre, Mel was finally reunited with her baby. She could now take a deep breath and savour her time in the little love bubble with Josh and Addison before they headed home to their gorgeous little son Remy, as a family of four.

Supporting Mel and Josh and witnessing the birth of their baby was an incredible honour. Being by their side during such an intimate and special time, offering comfort, strength, and care as they welcomed new life into the world, was truly heartfelt. The trust they placed in me during this vulnerable time is something I hold close to my heart. The connection we built through both of Mel’s births has deeply touched me and remains close to my heart.

As I watched this beautiful family together, I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the work I am privileged to do. Mel and Josh, you are amazing parents, and I have no doubt that Addison and Remy will grow up surrounded by so much love and support. I am truly honoured to have been a part of this incredible journey with you and look forward to witnessing all the wonderful things your family will experience together.

Welcome to the world, sweet Addison. You are loved beyond measure.

Love,

Krista xxx

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