Reflection

I've been thinking lately about the births I've been able to attend recently. All I can say is wow! Starting Mar 29th, I had my first VBAC, which was actually a HBAC(home birth after a cesarean), which was also my first homebirth. This experience was life changing. 4 1/2 hour labor, born in water, also a first for me. Next was baby Ava, on the 7th of April, at Grant. Wonderful parents, first time painting a belly, and wow....GRANT is the hospital to have a baby. The staff there were unbeatable, accomodating my clients wishes w/o grief. Following that on the 17th of April, was the birth of May. This mama's labor was amazing. She was completely in control, we labored through the night and then contractions spaced out to 6min. We decided to go to the hospital to be at least checked. Unbelievable...she is complete! Smiling, laughing, complete. WOW! Water still intact and begins bulging during pushing. Amazing. Next, just two days later was the birth of Samual. This was an intended homebirth. Mama labored beautiful. Then near the end, this baby turned OP and was stuck on the pubic bone. After trying everything we could think of at the time, mama decided it was time to transfer. Baby was born vaginally just a short time later, baby turned and came down in the car!! This was my most emotionally and physically exhausting birth. Then I get a small break...long enough for me to "heal" from that birth. On May 3, I attended Adam's birth, a home water birth. Upon arrival, mama was pushing. Midwife arrived shortly after. About 3 hours after I arrived, baby Adam was born in the cull(the bag of water). Very cool. This a sign of good luck according to the Celtic tradition. Another first for me. On the 4th of May, we were called to Esther. She was about to give birth to her 6th baby, her first homebirth. After pushing just a few times, the midwife checked to see where baby was. As her eyes got pretty big, and I got the words, "is baby right there" out, this mama decided to push, and I mean PUSH this baby out. Baby Zion was born just after midnight...bum first. A first for me. Later that day, we were called again to a mama who wasn't due for another few weeks. She was laboring in the pool very peacefully, never made a grunt, or anything, until the last 10 min, where she lightly grunted and birthed her baby into her own hands. I don't think that baby ever cried, She was just so peaceful. So I've had a lot of first lately on my journey through helping women have their babies. It's been an amazing ride so far. Next will be the birth of Lilly, my best friends baby, who will also be born at home.