Birthing Isabella . . .
by Jenna MacDonald
Hayden Sol MacDonald Wood
Born Sunday, February 6
12:50 a.m
Salt Spring Island, BC
Here is the story of my birth—or how I remember it now, four days later, as the details and intensity have begun to fade:
Friday morning I awoke with what felt like menstrual cramps and knew this was the beginning! Adam and I—both very excited—went to town to kill some time as we waited to see what would happen next. What happened was a slow day of very light cramps until 4 p.m. when my waters began dripping out. Right before this, Adam had stimulated my boobies, as we had heard this can help quicken labor—which it did!
Jen Gobby, our friend and birth assistant, having been called, was so excited about the baby that she was running around in circles at work and ended up calling someone in so she could come right over. Adam and I were playing it cool partly because of nerves and partly because we knew this could be a long process (which it would be!). But underneath the cool act was a huge amount of excitement. June, our fabulous midwife, came by with all of her equipment and the downstairs of the house was slowly converted into a birthing room. Labor continued to feel a lot like menstrual cramps—lower backache and occasional stomach cramps that felt like when you’re sick with diarrhea but without the sick feeling, just the cramps. Around 10 p.m., we decided we should get some rest as we thought we would be up later in the night having our baby. Instead, we woke up the next morning well rested and with me having the same type of contractions (which seemed to have stopped during the night).
So, we continued on with our plans—we did some positive affirmations and painting and waiting, and wondering, and we were excited. Jen was in and out of town at least ten times since labor had started, picking up forgotten items and food and extras. June came by at noon to see how it was all going and to tell us some challenging information. Because my water broke so early and I hadn’t gone into active labor, the doctors and community felt that I should be induced because of risk to the baby. This meant deciding to wait it out despite the negative feedback we might receive from doctors if we did end up going to the hospital or going across to Victoria to be induced. This would mean a ferry ride. June did not give us her opinion but gave us studies to read and we had to make the choice. (Though my sense was she did not feel as strongly as the doctors). She gave us some tips on how to speed up labor:
—sexual stimulation but no penetration because of risk of infection
—a glass of wine
—herbal homeopathic remedy
—walking
We tried them all after June left. I felt very strongly that I did not want to go to the hospital, but also wanted what was best for my baby. Well, luckily the tips worked! Especially the sex . . . !
I had lost all track of time by that point, and I felt like I was in and out of my own world dealing with the stronger and stronger contractions (still very low in my belly: tightening and back pain). But once a contraction was over, it was over. By late afternoon, the contractions were all very close together without a break in between, and they were getting stronger and stronger, and longer and longer. Jen and Adam were helping me—holding me, and talking me through—every step of the way. I was getting anxious and tired and wanted to get into the birthing pool. At that point, I didn’t really know what Adam and Jen were doing or when June was coming. All I knew was that I needed Adam to support me through each contraction. I vocalized through each contraction to help focus and it felt good to express some of the feeling. To me everything was moving very fast. All of a sudden, the pool was blown up, June was there, and I was in the pool. Adam raced around in order to be by my side through each contraction while still helping everyone else in between. Yet still no baby.
I could feel what I thought was a head pushing through my cervix but it was hard to know. I was in a different mental state—somewhere else, aware of everyone around me but not aware of what, when, or who. Except for Adam—I was very focused on him. Soon I could feel the baby’s head poking out and that reenergized me and made me push harder—the urge to push came naturally with strong contractions. I remember not knowing if I should push yet, but oh, you can’t help it. If your body wants to push . . . push!
I was getting tired, his head wasn’t coming out, Adam was in the pool with me in a new position—squatting rather than kneeling against the side. It was suggested that I stand up between contractions to wiggle my hips (maybe to help me relax? I don’t know). But, still there was no baby.
Eventually the midwives needed to be more hands-on, and I needed to be out of the pool. I remember a moment of panic—things weren’t going right. Why did I need to get out of the pool?! Could I even move my body out ofthe pool? At some point I was on a birthing stool, to support me through the contractions.
Then I was on the edge of the bed—where we ended up birthing. Adam was behind me and I was leaning on him. The sensation of baby’s head pushing through my perineum was much stronger. I was out of the pool, and this helped me a little to push harder to get it out. Now Melissa, the second midwife, was helping . . . Why? Was there a problem? I don’t care if I tear, I thought as they put some oil on me. Jen and Melissa helped me by pushing my legs, bent and up toward my chest. I pushed hard and out came his head. A few more pushes and out came his shoulders and whoosh . . . the rest of the baby! On my tummy—wow!
The baby needed a little oxygen to breathe. And there was a lot of blood! I wasn’t expecting so much blood.
A baby! Minutes (?!) passed before checking for boy or girl. A BOY! His name was Hayden from that second on—he just came out looking like a Hayden! He was named after a moment in time (Hayden concert, 1996)—when Mummy and Daddy realized they were in love with each other and no one else . . . forever! The first moments/days with your new baby are the most incredible, loving, amazing experience in the world. I love my baby Hayden and so does his daddy!
ISABELLA'S BIRTH
Isabella Moon MacDonald Wood
Born: September 19
1 a.m.
Salt Spring Island, BC
Isabella started off very slowly and then when she was ready, she shot out!
My first contractions began on midday Friday. I began feeling a little crampy and having a few pains. Slowly during the evening, they got a little more intense, but nothing major. Every twenty minutes or so I would get a tightening in my belly. We called June, our midwife, to let her know what was happening, thinking we were going to have this baby during the night. But I went to bed and fell asleep without any contractions waking me.
Saturday, there was nothing really happening, so we went to the local Fall Fair. Later Saturday, still there were a few light contractions, but they weren’t progressing more than that. Again, by evening there was a little more tightening, but nothing major. I went to bed, but stayed up half the night with Adam—very excited about the baby who was on her way.
On Sunday, contractions began to have some regularity and form. About every twenty minutes, there was a tight pressure feeling in my low belly. We were sure the birth would be that evening, and set up the house with candles, aromatherapies, incense, and calming music. Jen Gobby, our birth assistant for the second time, and my sister Christine had arrived. We called June.
She called us back with news that she was busy with another laboring mama and was at the hospital, and likely until probably after midnight. Oh, no! If we were going to have this baby with her soon, it would have to be at the hospital. So, we tried to slow things down and I went to bed. Everyone was there and really excited. June finished with the other labor and came and slept in her car in the driveway. I slept through the night again. I woke feeling a little frustrated that this labor still hadn’t happened. However, we had another peaceful day relaxing and preparing ourselves—enjoying the beautiful, calm atmosphere we had created for the birth.
By the end of the next day, which was Monday, I was feeling very frustrated and anxious to have the baby. I continued to have contractions every ten to twenty minutes, some stronger than others. I went to bed and decided we should get back to regular life until things progressed.
Tuesday morning arrived with the same feelings. We went off for a canoe ride around the lake. (Hayden was off with Christine, who was helping out hugely by going out with Hayden so we could relax and prepare and he could continue having lots of fun). Adam and I went for a wonderful paddle around St. Mary Lake. I continued having contractions and they were feeling a little stronger, but I wasn’t sure if they were stronger or if my body was getting tired or if it was wishful thinking! After so many days, I didn’t want to get myself all excited and prepared for nothing. However, by evening I knew they were getting stronger. Adam put Hayden to bed and I relaxed, rubbed my belly with oils, and enjoyed the peacefulness of the room . . . of the moment. I read birthing stories and felt my body and the baby preparing for birth.
At about 8 p.m., I felt and saw Baby move more than she had the whole pregnancy, and get ready to come out. When Hayden was asleep, Adam phoned everyone to come over—Jen right away, Christine a little later, and June we would call again when things had progressed further. I knew and could feel that this really was going to happen soon. Even so, I was still able to be right there— very present—and talk and laugh between contractions. The pool was set up and filled, and I was in there . . . boiling! At some point Adam phoned June to come, and Christine had arrived too. Things were really on the go! Contractions were intense and Adam and Jen pressed hot compresses on my back, cold ones on my neck and head, and applied pressure on my back. Then there was a popping feeling, which was my waters breaking. It felt like a pop right at my cervix. The next contraction, I felt Baby move right down from my uterus to my opening and she was crowning. I could feel her hair on my fingers. It was so soft and a little squishy. I moved positions from my knees to my bum, so I could catch the baby—something I felt strongly about doing. I didn’t think I would be able to move but it was no problem once I tried. I felt really good, really strong and powerful. I was ready for Baby, and my body knew how to do what it was doing. During contractions, I did a bit of yelling, but also talked to my Baby telling her it was time to come out. One time I even yelled, “Oh! Fuuuu. . . !”
Baby stayed at this position for a few contractions while my opening stretched and then she just slipped out—her head full of black hair. Her shoulders just slipped out right after. Out she came into my and Adam’s hands and we pulled her up to my chest—a precious little thing with a little cry. Hayden was at the edge of the pool clapping with such a look of excitement!
Birthing Isabella . . .
Emerging!
Just born!
Hayden watches attentively
Welcome, Isabella!