breastfeeding hints from old Russia
spamelita on Dec 15 2004 at 3:56 pm | Filed under: birth story, breastfeeding, midwife practice
N was having contractions yesterday, but they were still quite far apart. My assistant went over at 6:30 to see her and was greeted at the door by her husband who said that she was “ready”. Evidently, her contractions became closer together (around 5 minutes apart) about a half hour earlier. She was a stretchy 4cm and baby was at 0 station.
I was at the mall with my daughter when my assistant called me. My daughter was peeved; we had been looking at Nintendo Gamecubes. I picked dinner up for her, dropped her off at home, picked up my instruments and off I went.
I arrived at 7:30 and my assistant informed me that there had been some serious decelerations (down to 72) with the heart rate so she put N on her side and they resolved somewhat. We continued to listen to baby every 15 minutes, rather than our usual 30 and N got in the birth tub. Things were moving fast.
Her water broke at 8:15 at a time when I guessed she was in transition. She was praying in Russian during the contractions and working really hard. Baby was born at 8:48pm with a portion of membranes covering his head and a wrap of the cord four times (my assistant caught the baby and it was forever before that baby was unwrapped! We couldn’t believe it!). He was beautiful.
The grandmother came by shortly thereafter and looked just like you’d expect a Russian babushka to look - hair pulled back in a scarf, ornate dress with shawl. Mom was having some issues getting baby latched on, so babushka worked with him (she was a nurse in the old country) and even suctioned him out with their bulb syringe (I have one that I never use) then wrapped him up so tightly and snugly. She got baby on when we were having problems doing that! I loved her. I wanted her at births with us!
More family came by, oohing and aahing at this new little boy. The two older brothers were right outside the door when the baby was born and they were so impressed by the whole process, I think.
A prayer was said before we all left, and though it was in Russian, I felt the intention of thanking God for a safe transition of this baby and mother. I was deeply appreciative.
All in all, it was a beautiful birth. I was back home in bed at 11:30pm.
I just happened across your journal here and read througha bit of it. The part I really connected to was the fact you are a midwife. Kudos to you and all who have been in your care. I myself used a midwife with the birth of my now 8 year old son and it was by far the best experience of my life. I intend to have more children and will always use a midwife. The connection made between a mom and her midwife is indescribable. I was never able to relay this to my midwife 8 years ago, so now you get to hear my thanks.
I have been told this past year that it may not be feasible to use a midwife as I have since had a miscarriage. I sincerely hope this is not fact, I couldn’t imagine having a child in a hospital.
Thank you for choosing such a profession, I wish you and your family the best in all you do and will do in the future.
I just love birth stories, especially when they are as sweet as this one. Thanks for sharing it.
And you must’ve loved being in bed before midnight!
Just wanted you to know…we are pregnant! Too bad you aren’t near Philly