A Baby brother is born.
The birth of Vincent Sawyer
2cd Born
16 March 2012
Pisces Sun
You will probably read in every doula story I share how much I love the parents I am working with. When I am asked to share the most precious time of a couple's life, it bonds me to them for eternity. I loved being there with this couple. They are layed back, easy going, with a great sense of humor. Julie, was in a big hurry to have her little boy. Her
baby was not due until March 18th, but Julie felt that baby needed to come out.
She is not very tall and the baby was taking up all the space from her lungs to her legs. She was becoming very uncomfortable and still trying to work full time. In the beginning of March I was receiving text from Julie of what she could do to have this baby sooner. I received a text from her that she was having contractions (only to find out "our girl Miss Julie" was taking castor oil.) It wasn't harmful to her or the baby at this stage, but it made me laugh that she was so determined. Her Doctor had agreed to go ahead and induce Julie on Friday March 16th. I waited until they started the drip at the hospital and then headed on up. I arrived around 9:30 AM. Julie, also had a second Doula who is a friend of mine and Julie's "Joanne, who we call Jo" she had arrived a little before I did. When I arrived Julie was doing well and everyone was in good spirits. I went up to the nurse's counter to introduce myself and to meet her Doctor and Nurse, who I really liked right from the start. At 12:30PM Julie was going into heavy labor. She was at 6 1/2 cn. Julie had wanted to have her baby natural. She did not have this opportunity with her first baby girl "Madison".
This was really important to Julie, and I worked with her and her husband teaching them accupressure points and ways to help reduce the pain of natural labor. She was at an intense moment and really didn't feel she could carry it through with-out an epidural. We worked together as a team including the nurse to help Julie understand she was almost there. From 7 to 10 cn. labor goes very quickly and Julie was already close to 7. I talked to Julie, and told her that we would support her decision but let's just go over real quick some of the reasons she chose not to have the epidural. All through Julie's labor she did very well with the acupressure and hip squeeze, but at this point she just didn't think she could do it any longer. I explained to her the baby was descending and she would be ready to push very quickly. Her Nurse "Missy" suggested instead of the epidural to have a little moraphine in her IV drip. Julie, thought about it for a moment and decided she would try that. The moraphine was just enough to help calm down Julie's nerves and we were able to continue on with pressure and acupressure. Her husband Tim, was so sweet to her. He made sure that she was hydrated, played soft music for her, and we turned the lights down low for her. Tim, was cute...he wasn't about to just let Jo and I work with her. He had no problem coming over and pushing our hands out of the way if he needed to, making sure he was the one helping his wife deliver "his baby boy." He actually melted my heart through-out the whole process. We annointed Julie with lot's of lavender. Lavender lotion, lavender oil, lavender wash cloth's to wipe over her face. At 1:27 PM her baby boy was born to a lavender smelling mommy and world. I cried, Tim cried, Julie was elated. The Doctor handed the baby right away to Julie. She gave the cord a little time to pulse and then handed the scissors to Tim to cut the cord. Vincent was born in a circle of love. I really liked the Doctor because she tried to listen to Julie and give her what she wanted. Julie said she didn't want a pitocin drip to close up her uterus and the Doctor allowed for that as well. The only thing the Doctor did that Julie requested was an episiotomy. Julie did have a tiny tear and the Doctor wanted to go ahead and repair that. I was thrilled with the way Julie's Doctor and Nurse were so willing to help Julie follow her birth plan. When Vincent came into the world his little lips were perched as though he was ready to give kisses. He snuggled up to his Mommy's breast into a little ball with his foot pressed against her breast. He was the sweetest thing. I was so proud of this little family and all they did to bring their baby boy into a safe and loving world. When Julie put her baby boy up to her breast he was lost for only a short time and then realized nursing was something he could do, and do very easily. We all fell in love with this sweet little bundle of joy. Vincent came with a beautiful head full of hair almost auburn color. The next day when Mommy and Daddy took baby Vincent home, I was told Madison (big sister) felt that Mommy could feed and she would take over from there. What a happy ending and a new beginning. Thank you to this wonderful family for allowing me to share one of your greatest moments. I will treasure your moment for all time to come and a sweet memory shared tucked deeply into my heart. With much love, your doula and friend
~ Robin
16 March 2012
Pisces Sun
You will probably read in every doula story I share how much I love the parents I am working with. When I am asked to share the most precious time of a couple's life, it bonds me to them for eternity. I loved being there with this couple. They are layed back, easy going, with a great sense of humor. Julie, was in a big hurry to have her little boy. Her
baby was not due until March 18th, but Julie felt that baby needed to come out.
She is not very tall and the baby was taking up all the space from her lungs to her legs. She was becoming very uncomfortable and still trying to work full time. In the beginning of March I was receiving text from Julie of what she could do to have this baby sooner. I received a text from her that she was having contractions (only to find out "our girl Miss Julie" was taking castor oil.) It wasn't harmful to her or the baby at this stage, but it made me laugh that she was so determined. Her Doctor had agreed to go ahead and induce Julie on Friday March 16th. I waited until they started the drip at the hospital and then headed on up. I arrived around 9:30 AM. Julie, also had a second Doula who is a friend of mine and Julie's "Joanne, who we call Jo" she had arrived a little before I did. When I arrived Julie was doing well and everyone was in good spirits. I went up to the nurse's counter to introduce myself and to meet her Doctor and Nurse, who I really liked right from the start. At 12:30PM Julie was going into heavy labor. She was at 6 1/2 cn. Julie had wanted to have her baby natural. She did not have this opportunity with her first baby girl "Madison".
This was really important to Julie, and I worked with her and her husband teaching them accupressure points and ways to help reduce the pain of natural labor. She was at an intense moment and really didn't feel she could carry it through with-out an epidural. We worked together as a team including the nurse to help Julie understand she was almost there. From 7 to 10 cn. labor goes very quickly and Julie was already close to 7. I talked to Julie, and told her that we would support her decision but let's just go over real quick some of the reasons she chose not to have the epidural. All through Julie's labor she did very well with the acupressure and hip squeeze, but at this point she just didn't think she could do it any longer. I explained to her the baby was descending and she would be ready to push very quickly. Her Nurse "Missy" suggested instead of the epidural to have a little moraphine in her IV drip. Julie, thought about it for a moment and decided she would try that. The moraphine was just enough to help calm down Julie's nerves and we were able to continue on with pressure and acupressure. Her husband Tim, was so sweet to her. He made sure that she was hydrated, played soft music for her, and we turned the lights down low for her. Tim, was cute...he wasn't about to just let Jo and I work with her. He had no problem coming over and pushing our hands out of the way if he needed to, making sure he was the one helping his wife deliver "his baby boy." He actually melted my heart through-out the whole process. We annointed Julie with lot's of lavender. Lavender lotion, lavender oil, lavender wash cloth's to wipe over her face. At 1:27 PM her baby boy was born to a lavender smelling mommy and world. I cried, Tim cried, Julie was elated. The Doctor handed the baby right away to Julie. She gave the cord a little time to pulse and then handed the scissors to Tim to cut the cord. Vincent was born in a circle of love. I really liked the Doctor because she tried to listen to Julie and give her what she wanted. Julie said she didn't want a pitocin drip to close up her uterus and the Doctor allowed for that as well. The only thing the Doctor did that Julie requested was an episiotomy. Julie did have a tiny tear and the Doctor wanted to go ahead and repair that. I was thrilled with the way Julie's Doctor and Nurse were so willing to help Julie follow her birth plan. When Vincent came into the world his little lips were perched as though he was ready to give kisses. He snuggled up to his Mommy's breast into a little ball with his foot pressed against her breast. He was the sweetest thing. I was so proud of this little family and all they did to bring their baby boy into a safe and loving world. When Julie put her baby boy up to her breast he was lost for only a short time and then realized nursing was something he could do, and do very easily. We all fell in love with this sweet little bundle of joy. Vincent came with a beautiful head full of hair almost auburn color. The next day when Mommy and Daddy took baby Vincent home, I was told Madison (big sister) felt that Mommy could feed and she would take over from there. What a happy ending and a new beginning. Thank you to this wonderful family for allowing me to share one of your greatest moments. I will treasure your moment for all time to come and a sweet memory shared tucked deeply into my heart. With much love, your doula and friend
~ Robin
Through her doula's eyes
THE BIRTH OF CHLOE AUTUMN
First Born
14 Febuary 2012
Aquarius Sun
I received my first text from the baby's father (Aaron) Monday morning at 10:29 AM letting me know they had went to the DR. earlier that morning for a check up and the mama (Kim) was starting to have some contractions and was dialed to 2CM. Kim was spending the day taking warm bath's and resting. I waited to hear from them and checked on them later in the evening. Kim's contractions were still irregular. I finally heard from them Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM (Febuary 14) Aaron wanted to let me know they had been up all night with Kim's contractions. They were about 7 min. apart at this time. They decided they wanted to go ahead and go to the hospital to have Kim checked out. I gathered up my things and headed out the door to meet them at the hospital. By the time I arrived the nurses had Kim on monitors to see how far apart the contractions were and to check on the baby's heart beat. The hospital decided to keep Kim and allowed us to go to the labor and birthing room. At this time Kim was a little uncomfortable with her contractions. She was very tired and hungry from being up all night with her contractions. We decided to get her in warm tub to see if we could help bring on her contractions a little more. Aaron filled the tub with bubbles and Kim slipped into the warm water. As soon as she slipped into the water she began complaining that the contractions were becoming more uncomfortable. She wanted to get back out of the tub. Aaron and I dressed her and helped her back into bed. We all decided it had been a long night and she and Aaron needed to get some sleep. As soon as Kim began dozing off a strong contraction hit and her water broke at 11:26 AM. That was the beginning of her advanced labor. From then on out her contractions began coming faster and longer. We tried some hip squeezes and working a few pressure points on her back, but this only irritated Kim. She didn't want any music, she didn't want the shades drawn or the lights lowered, she didn't want the birthing ball, or to sit down. What did help Kim, was to stand up, lean over the bed, and gently rock herself back and forth. This is an independant mama. Later when then contractions became harder she wanted to be back in the bed. She layed on her side and held on to the hospital bed rail. Aaron layed his hand on her head which really helped to ground her and I began to work her feet and accupressure points. She felt comfortable with this procedure for quite awhile more then anything else we tried. As she was coming closer to transition she stepped out of the bed and into a squat. Aaron grabbed the rebozo and held it up for Kim as she held on and pulled toward the earth. This empowered Kim to get through her really strong contractions. Aaron had really done his homework and his mind was just racing to think of ideas that we could try next. Just for the record he was usually dead on as to what would work. The hardest part for Aaron and I both, was not being able to touch Kim. She just would not have it. She wanted us there and she wanted us close, but our hands touching her was a distraction to her focus and uncomfortable for her. She did want our hands on her head and on her feet. Aaron became Kim's knight in shining armour as he continued to hold the rebozo for Kim to pull on. When Aaron stepped out of the room and Kim went into a contraction, her hands instantanly began looking for the rebozo (scarf) to pull on. Aaron had placed the rebozo on a bench by the window and I could not reach it. I offered Kim my hand and she began squeezing and pulling down on my hand until Aaron returned. Aaron and I stayed focused on Kim to help her to stay relaxed in-between contractions and working on her breathing during the contractions. At 4:00 PM Kim's Doctor and nurse decided to join us because Kim was fully dialated. She was placed on the bed in a sit up position. Kim's main complaints through out her labor was she was extremely hungry and extremely tired. I imagine she was, she had been in labor for over 24 hours. A little after 4:00 Kim's Doctor began encouraging her to push. This was probably the hardest part of birthing for Kim. For one, she was exhausted by this time, and two, she is a tiny petite, ballerina girl and her baby was over due. I listened as Kim's Doctor began telling her of things that she (the Doctor) could medically do, to help pull the baby on out of the birth canal. She mentioned forceps, a vacume, and giving her pitocin to encourage faster and stronger contractions. Kim was tempted by this point, she would think of her baby girl and then refuse. After an hour of pushing Kim was losing strength and motivation. She began asking the Doctor "Tell me again what you can do" I knew Kim wanted her baby naturally, she had worked nine long months to have her baby naturally but I was concerned Kim was to tired to push her baby on through. The Doctor began mentioned over and over the baby was not moving very far down into the canal. I was torn as Kim's doula. I wanted Kim to have her baby the way her heart desired, but at this point I wasnt sure Kim had the energy or even the strength to push the baby on out into the world. I took a chance and I looked into her eyes and said "Kim, I know you wanted to have this baby naturally but I want you to know that if you decide you want and are ready for the pitocin, we all understand. You have been in labor for over 30 hours. It's up to you, and we will support you either way." I looked over at the father's face and it was sheer horror. He shot me a look like "what are you doing? You and I are here to get her through this naturally." I felt like a trader, but I didn't want Kim to go against her better judgement out of guilt. Only she knew what she could handle and what was best for her and her baby. Now, looking back it was the best thing I could have done or said. Once Kim understood she had the full decision, she and only she was making that decision, that girl decided "I'm having this baby naturally, and I'm
having her NOW!!!" At that point she began pushing with all her might and at 5:26 PM her little black haired baby girl came into the world. Yes, it was a joyous moment and a beautiful sight, but you know what was even more beautiful then that? To see a grown man break down and cry with unbelievable love for his wife. He was proud, he was happy, and he showered the Mother of his new baby daughter with love and kisses.
I loved Kim and Aaron from the first day we met. It was such an honor to have been chosen to be there with them at the most memorable moment of their lives.
Aaron was not about to leave his wife and daughter's side, so he asked me to go down the hall and give Kim's mother the news. This too, was an honor. I looked into Kim's mother's eyes and gave her the news about her new baby grand-daughter, hugged her, and walked her into the room to meet her newest family member.
Valentines Day 2012 was unforgetable for all of us. We all received a Valentine that day that was far more treasurable then flowers or a box of chocolates. We received the gift of a beautiful baby girl and what I will always know as "Utah's Sweetest Valentine."
With Love,
Kim, Aaron's, and Chloe Autumn's Doula
~Robin
Letter from Chloe Autumn's Grandpa:
Thank you so much for writing this Robin and for all you did in helping my daughter and granddaughter!!!
This was amazing and you helped me to be a part of it.
I have read this four times and tear up with joy every time.
W/<3 Larry Brennan
First Born
14 Febuary 2012
Aquarius Sun
I received my first text from the baby's father (Aaron) Monday morning at 10:29 AM letting me know they had went to the DR. earlier that morning for a check up and the mama (Kim) was starting to have some contractions and was dialed to 2CM. Kim was spending the day taking warm bath's and resting. I waited to hear from them and checked on them later in the evening. Kim's contractions were still irregular. I finally heard from them Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM (Febuary 14) Aaron wanted to let me know they had been up all night with Kim's contractions. They were about 7 min. apart at this time. They decided they wanted to go ahead and go to the hospital to have Kim checked out. I gathered up my things and headed out the door to meet them at the hospital. By the time I arrived the nurses had Kim on monitors to see how far apart the contractions were and to check on the baby's heart beat. The hospital decided to keep Kim and allowed us to go to the labor and birthing room. At this time Kim was a little uncomfortable with her contractions. She was very tired and hungry from being up all night with her contractions. We decided to get her in warm tub to see if we could help bring on her contractions a little more. Aaron filled the tub with bubbles and Kim slipped into the warm water. As soon as she slipped into the water she began complaining that the contractions were becoming more uncomfortable. She wanted to get back out of the tub. Aaron and I dressed her and helped her back into bed. We all decided it had been a long night and she and Aaron needed to get some sleep. As soon as Kim began dozing off a strong contraction hit and her water broke at 11:26 AM. That was the beginning of her advanced labor. From then on out her contractions began coming faster and longer. We tried some hip squeezes and working a few pressure points on her back, but this only irritated Kim. She didn't want any music, she didn't want the shades drawn or the lights lowered, she didn't want the birthing ball, or to sit down. What did help Kim, was to stand up, lean over the bed, and gently rock herself back and forth. This is an independant mama. Later when then contractions became harder she wanted to be back in the bed. She layed on her side and held on to the hospital bed rail. Aaron layed his hand on her head which really helped to ground her and I began to work her feet and accupressure points. She felt comfortable with this procedure for quite awhile more then anything else we tried. As she was coming closer to transition she stepped out of the bed and into a squat. Aaron grabbed the rebozo and held it up for Kim as she held on and pulled toward the earth. This empowered Kim to get through her really strong contractions. Aaron had really done his homework and his mind was just racing to think of ideas that we could try next. Just for the record he was usually dead on as to what would work. The hardest part for Aaron and I both, was not being able to touch Kim. She just would not have it. She wanted us there and she wanted us close, but our hands touching her was a distraction to her focus and uncomfortable for her. She did want our hands on her head and on her feet. Aaron became Kim's knight in shining armour as he continued to hold the rebozo for Kim to pull on. When Aaron stepped out of the room and Kim went into a contraction, her hands instantanly began looking for the rebozo (scarf) to pull on. Aaron had placed the rebozo on a bench by the window and I could not reach it. I offered Kim my hand and she began squeezing and pulling down on my hand until Aaron returned. Aaron and I stayed focused on Kim to help her to stay relaxed in-between contractions and working on her breathing during the contractions. At 4:00 PM Kim's Doctor and nurse decided to join us because Kim was fully dialated. She was placed on the bed in a sit up position. Kim's main complaints through out her labor was she was extremely hungry and extremely tired. I imagine she was, she had been in labor for over 24 hours. A little after 4:00 Kim's Doctor began encouraging her to push. This was probably the hardest part of birthing for Kim. For one, she was exhausted by this time, and two, she is a tiny petite, ballerina girl and her baby was over due. I listened as Kim's Doctor began telling her of things that she (the Doctor) could medically do, to help pull the baby on out of the birth canal. She mentioned forceps, a vacume, and giving her pitocin to encourage faster and stronger contractions. Kim was tempted by this point, she would think of her baby girl and then refuse. After an hour of pushing Kim was losing strength and motivation. She began asking the Doctor "Tell me again what you can do" I knew Kim wanted her baby naturally, she had worked nine long months to have her baby naturally but I was concerned Kim was to tired to push her baby on through. The Doctor began mentioned over and over the baby was not moving very far down into the canal. I was torn as Kim's doula. I wanted Kim to have her baby the way her heart desired, but at this point I wasnt sure Kim had the energy or even the strength to push the baby on out into the world. I took a chance and I looked into her eyes and said "Kim, I know you wanted to have this baby naturally but I want you to know that if you decide you want and are ready for the pitocin, we all understand. You have been in labor for over 30 hours. It's up to you, and we will support you either way." I looked over at the father's face and it was sheer horror. He shot me a look like "what are you doing? You and I are here to get her through this naturally." I felt like a trader, but I didn't want Kim to go against her better judgement out of guilt. Only she knew what she could handle and what was best for her and her baby. Now, looking back it was the best thing I could have done or said. Once Kim understood she had the full decision, she and only she was making that decision, that girl decided "I'm having this baby naturally, and I'm
having her NOW!!!" At that point she began pushing with all her might and at 5:26 PM her little black haired baby girl came into the world. Yes, it was a joyous moment and a beautiful sight, but you know what was even more beautiful then that? To see a grown man break down and cry with unbelievable love for his wife. He was proud, he was happy, and he showered the Mother of his new baby daughter with love and kisses.
I loved Kim and Aaron from the first day we met. It was such an honor to have been chosen to be there with them at the most memorable moment of their lives.
Aaron was not about to leave his wife and daughter's side, so he asked me to go down the hall and give Kim's mother the news. This too, was an honor. I looked into Kim's mother's eyes and gave her the news about her new baby grand-daughter, hugged her, and walked her into the room to meet her newest family member.
Valentines Day 2012 was unforgetable for all of us. We all received a Valentine that day that was far more treasurable then flowers or a box of chocolates. We received the gift of a beautiful baby girl and what I will always know as "Utah's Sweetest Valentine."
With Love,
Kim, Aaron's, and Chloe Autumn's Doula
~Robin
Letter from Chloe Autumn's Grandpa:
Thank you so much for writing this Robin and for all you did in helping my daughter and granddaughter!!!
This was amazing and you helped me to be a part of it.
I have read this four times and tear up with joy every time.
W/<3 Larry Brennan