early Tuesday morning

I received a call from a Russian mom, expecting her ninth baby. Her water had broke and labor was starting. Since she was a good hour and a half away with no traffic, I headed up. I am surprised that it only took me an hour and 40 minutes considering there was horrible traffic. I expected her to have birthed by the time I arrived at 7.45am.

It was her first homebirth and she labored standing up but then asked me to check her and stayed on the bed - on her back - for pushing. I asked if she wanted to move to the birth stool, lie on her side, etc., but she said no.

She birthed her 10lb 14oz baby girl on the bed, on her back, into my hands at 9.20am. Lots of thick green meconium, but baby did beautiful during labor and emerged robust and alert (no suctioning!!!!!), latching on and nursing within minutes of the birth.

(It was my third birth alone, without an apprentice.  The next string of births will include my new apprentice, so that will be a journey in and of itself.)

I’ve already felt a huge difference knowing that I have some time off call coming up. I feel renewed already!

Next baby is due October 14. Seems like such a long way…but if you consider being “on call” from 36 weeks forward, it’s really not too far away.

Sorry I’ve done a horrible job updating. My life has been full of friends, learning to become an expert cuddler with my boyfriend and good TV (Mad Men! The Cho Show! Project Runway!). I’m still reading your blogs, however - just know that I read nearly all blogs on my phone and it’s a bit of a hassle to comment through the mobile Google reader. I’m reading, just not commenting much.

Love!

8 Responses to “early Tuesday morning”

  1. on 23 Aug 2008 at 8:35 am Michelle

    Enjoy your time off… midwives do need that!

  2. on 23 Aug 2008 at 11:50 am Amy

    I love that we watch the same TV shows. If I could only get you into Lost…

    Amy

  3. on 23 Aug 2008 at 3:45 pm Kim Collins

    lovely!
    Enjoy your down time!

  4. on 23 Aug 2008 at 9:32 pm nataly

    i hope you enjoy your time off. i loved the cho show!

  5. on 24 Aug 2008 at 7:03 pm Jenrose

    Hey… My sister just announced her pregnancy, can you email me at jenrose at jenrose dot com?

  6. on 01 Sep 2008 at 9:56 am Ciarin

    Glad to see you are still around! Hope all is well!

  7. on 15 Sep 2008 at 10:25 am Joy

    Glad to hear from you! Glad you are doing so well! You just named my fave tv shows as well!

  8. on 17 Sep 2008 at 7:07 pm Linda

    Okay, how many Russian moms have you done first-time homebirths for with like their ninth baby? LOL! Word must be getting around the Russian community about you. ;)

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