R and J started care with me at the beginning of the third trimester of their fourth pregnancy. R had her previous baby at home, and was looking forward to another home birth.

R’s pregnancy progressed along normally.  Two days before her due date, R was feeling a lot of pressure and activity, and we were hopeful this little one was going to make an appearance that day, but he did not.  R had her regular appointment that day.  All vitals looked normal, and we reviewed when to notify me if things changed.

Four days passed.  At 215am the morning of June 10th, R sent me a text telling me that her water had just broke.  She had been asleep, and woke to her water breaking.  She felt a couple contractions two minutes apart, and was going to try a shower and let me know how things were from there.

At 225am, R sent a text telling me her contractions were 2 minutes apart, lasting 80 seconds long.  She felt like they were intense, but she felt like she could breathe through them.  I asked her if she wanted me to come, and J responded at 240am to please come.  I later found out that things were progressing quite rapidly. J was ready for me to be on the way, but R was not convinced that labor was moving quickly.

My GPS said I would arrive at 317am.  At 313am, J called.  I was in their subdivision.  He said R felt like pushing.  I calmly spoke to him and told him I was two minutes out, and to have her try to breathe and wait for me.

I rushed through the subdivison, parked and ran from my van into the house and up the stairs.  J and a friend had just delivered the baby.  R was in hands and knees on her bedroom floor, the birth pool 1/3 of the way full.  This little guy just wanted to come too quickly for the pool!  I was handed the baby, who was nice and pink and screaming!

R had lots of adrenaline pumping through her body from her fast and furious labor.  Soon she was ready to change position, and eventually move to the bed where she could snuggle her sweet gift!

Welcome to the world Eli, born earth side on June 10th, 2017 at 315am weighing in at a whopping 10lbs 2 ozs, 22″ long.  Such a lovely butter birth for this sweet mama!

#sacredjourneymidwifery