Birth Story of Abigail Ann

On March 8, 2023 and (fittingly) International Women’s Day, I attended my first birth in Quesnel. Buckle up folks, cause this one was quite a ride! 

 

Crystal and Kyle contacted me in January and after a lovely meet and greet they invited me to be apart of their birth team.  This was baby #3 for Crystal and Kyles first. I liked them both immediately. Crystal’s approach to her upcoming birth was super chill and relaxed, very much a “whatever will be will be” kind of approach. Kyles approach was to be as present and supportive to Crystal as possible. Great mindset and I was pumped to be back to my doula life! 

 

Crystal and I stayed in pretty close contact over the next few weeks, her previous babies both came a couple weeks early, and I wanted to be ready for anything. At 36 weeks we thought maybe it was go time but baby was just kidding! It was a great opportunity for a dry run!

 

37, 38 and 39 weeks came and went, and I’m pretty sure Crystal was convinced she was going to be pregnant forever. 40 weeks is a long time, it’s an even longer time when you’ve never had to go more than 38 weeks. 

 

I generally check in with my clients daily as we approach their due dates, it helps me get a sense of how they are doing and a sense of how close we are to the main event. I chatted with Crystal the morning of the 8th (her actual due date) and she said there was nothing to report, just that she was uncomfortable but her baby girl seemed way too comfortable. She had an appointment with her doctor scheduled for the next day and we agreed to touch base after that. Turns out Crystal wasn’t being completely forthcoming with all the details of her day and was in fact experiencing some mild contractions. She just didn’t want to say anything yet in case it was nothing. 

 

At around 8pm that evening she texted me to say that was pretty sure her water had broken, “for real this time”.  She said she was having mild contractions, not really painful and we agreed to start getting ready to make our way to the hospital. I made my way to their home first to check on her and found her on all fours on the living room floor. Her contractions were not mild and things were very much picking up. Kyle got the truck packed up, and as soon as Kyle’s lovely parents arrived to watch their other children, we headed off to the hospital. 

 

We arrived at the hospital just before 9pm, Crystal had zero fun on the short drive and her contractions were coming hard and fast. Once we got up the labour and delivery room, the nurses got her admitted and assessed. Her first exam revealed that she was 3cm dilated and Crystal was not happy. She was contracting one after the other and really wanted something to help take the edge off. She asked for the laughing gas and once they handed her the mask, she grabbed on for dear life! I’ve had many mamas love the gas but none have gone through it quite like Crystal. Hey, you do what works for you and this is what was working for her. 

 

Crystals labour came on like a freight train and she felt like she wasn’t handling it and that she couldn’t do it. Not at all uncommon to feel like that, especially when you are getting close to the end. As an observer, I can assure that not only was she handling it, she was absolutely ROCKING IT.  Kyle was incredible, right there for her and with her every step of the way. Her nursing team was amazing as well.

 

By 10pm Crystal was ready for something a little stronger than gas and was asking for an epidural. For that to happen in Quesnel the doctor has to come in and examine her and the anesthesiologist has to come in as well. It doesn’t happen quickly. At 1045 she was examined to see if she was far enough along. She was 5cm, it was agreed she could have the epidural and the calls were made. The nurses started to get things ready.

 

In the meantime, I got Crystal into the shower to try and help with her pain while we waited, hoping the water would work its magic. After a few minutes we got her out of the shower to get her ready for her epidural. Once she was back in bed, baby girl started to let us know she was not enjoying this intense labour and her heart rate started to drop. The nurses were amazing and took charge, doing everything to make sure baby was ok. When this happens things can get a little crazy and mom has to be flipped around from side to side to see if there a position that baby likes more. Crystal just went with whatever we told her to do. She found her rhythm with her contractions and took each one as it came. 

At 11:15pm, Crystal was examined again and we were told she was only at 6cm. Baby still wasn’t tolerating labour and calls were made to get the emergency room doctor up to the floor as well as any other available staff to assist. Immediately the room was filled with doctors and nurses to help get ready to move her to the OR for a C-section. It was a lot of commotion and can be really scary but amazingly, Crystal and Kyle were calm and focused. She was doing everything for her baby and Kyle was doing everything for her. He was her focal point through each contraction. Their connection was palpable. 

 

A stretcher was brought in to move her to the OR and just before we moved her onto it the ER doctor checked her one more time and said “wait, baby’s head is right here, she’s almost out!”.  Crystal was (not so gently) instructed to push as hard as she could and I can tell you first hand that this woman doesn’t f@#* around! She moved her baby down just as the Obstetrician arrived to assist. And within a couple of pushes at 11:38pm, baby girl was born! She was pink and squealing and placed immediately on her beautiful mama’s chest. I cannot even begin to tell you what a beautiful sound it was to hear that little one cry. 

 

After a quick cuddle with her mom, she was taken to be checked out and the new dad went with her. I stayed with Crystal while we waited for the placenta to come. And we waited and then we waited some more. Unfortunately, sometimes the placenta just doesn't want to cooperate and Crystal was starting to bleed. The decision was made to take her to the OR to get it out. Again, this incredible woman just rolled with it. No panic, no fighting it, she did what needed to be done. I’m not sure I can put into words how hard it is to have to leave your baby, only moments old and be taken to surgery alone. They quickly whisked her away and I stayed behind with Kyle and babe. 

 

To say Kyle was smitten with his new baby girl would be the understatement of the decade. This man was “head over heels, I’m going to buy you a pony” in love. She stole his heart immediately and he is never going to get it back. It was so incredibly touching to watch. 

 

We waited for an update on Crystal and shortly before 2am the surgeon came to leg Kyle know that Crystal was ok, and would be moved up to a room in the ICU soon. Once she was in her room, Kyle and their perfect baby girl were taken to her and finally after a long night the 3 were together and baby girl was safe in her mamas’ arms. 

 

This is not my usual sunshiny birth story but it does have a very happy ending with a healthy, perfect baby girl and an incredible mom who is on the mend. 

 

I know I always say I am in awe of the strength of my mamas but this time I was absolutely blown away by the women of this birth. The nurses, especially Shannon and Sierra who managed to be kind and nurturing while simultaneously being badass boss babes in the midst of chaos. The baby girl who came roaring into the world fierce and strong. And last but far from least, the brave, beautiful and powerful mama who did what needed to be done for her baby. 

 

My first Cariboo birth was one for the books and I am deeply humbled to have been apart of the story. 

 

Welcome to the world sweet Abigail. 

 

Abigail Ann Clark

March 8, 2023 11:38pm

7lbs 11oz 

 

Birth Story of Sylvan Ellison

 I became a doula because of my fascination and passion for pregnancy, birth and babies. I never get tired of attending births and each one amazes me. The families I assist, their stories, the connections between partners and the ability women have to reach deep into themselves and find the strength needed to bring their babies into the world, despite the discomfort, pain and even fear that goes along with the process.  The birth I attended this past Thanksgiving weekend was, yet another reminder of how amazing women are.

I was hired by Spring and Jason in early June of this year. They were expecting their second baby and were planning a home birth. I liked them instantly (their insanely adorable little girl, Juno really helped seal the deal to be honest).  Spring and I got together a few times leading up to her due date and each time we met, I liked her more and more. 

The week before the birth, Spring and I started to text daily, she would report how she was feeling (mostly she was feeling being done with being pregnant) and as the weekend approached I had a sense that we were going to have a turkey day baby. Spring was having a couple of contractions here and there, just enough to get us excited and then they would stop. I think by Saturday evening, Spring was starting to think she was going to be pregnant forever.  

Sunday morning at around 3:30am, I got a text from Spring letting me know that she was feeling crampy and by 5:15 am she was sure that her labour was starting. By 7:20am she was ready for me to come over and I arrived at their home just before 8am.  When I arrived, Spring was sitting on the ball with the TENS machine on her belly, gently bouncing away and looking cool and calm as can be. I thought she looked a little too calm and comfy and for a few minutes wondered if this was going to be a long day. She was chatty, smiling, still had her sense of humour (generally women in labour have ZERO sense of humour in active labour). Every few minutes she would get quiet while she had a contraction. 

Shortly after 8:30 am, midwife Heather arrived to assess things and make sure all was well. Amazingly Spring was already 6 cms dilated and baby was doing great. We suggested a shower for Spring while Heather got herself all set up.  Slowly but surely the contractions got stronger and closer together and in between contractions we just chatted, laughed and moved around the condo. 

Around 10:30am the second midwife Heather (yep the two Heathers) arrived, and Heather #1 checked Spring again, she was now 8-9 cm dilated and the decision was made to break her water. Breaking the bag of waters can often help speed up the process but it also tends to make things much more intense for mom. This time was no different and Spring's party was officially over. Very quickly things became intense and soon it was time for her start pushing. We got Spring up onto her bed and helped her get into the rhythm of pushing. Jason was right there with her for each contraction, giving her hands to hold and squeeze. Things were incredibly intense for Spring as her baby moved down and at one point as she was bearing down we thought she was crying but then realized it was laughter. I asked her "Are you laughing??", her response was "Yes, because this is just so ridiculous!!!"  First time I have ever had a pushing mom laugh!! 

Spring's baby was moving down fast, and the intensity of that sensation can be quite overwhelming. She will tell you that she was out of control but as someone who has attended many births over the years, she was not out of control. She was amazing, strong and primal.  At one point just as her baby started to crown, his heart rate was a little low and the midwives told Spring that it was time to push her baby out. Spring heard us, and on the next contraction his head was out. At 11:56 am with one last push and with the fall sunlight filling the room, he was born into his mother's arms. 

His parents named him Sylvan, after Sylvanus, the Roman God of the woods and this kid is living up to his name sake. At 9 lbs 13 oz, he is a solid boy and his mom is my latest hero for rocking him out at home!!

Welcome to the world sweet boy, it was a true pleasure to be apart of your story.

Sylvan Ellison

October 13, 2019 at 11:56 am

9lbs 13 oz

Sean David Benjamin

For the first time in my career as a doula, I spent Labour Day with a labouring mom to be. I also spent the day before Labour Day with her, and part of the day before that….. This is the birth story of Sean David Benjamin.

 I met Riki through a mutual friend in the horse community and she reached out to me when she was early in her pregnancy. We had our first meeting at a horse show, where we chatted about my role as a doula while we watched the jumper class. Horses and babies, two of my most favourite things! Soon after I met with her and her husband, Ben. I liked them both immediately! Great senses of humor, laid back and pretty open to whatever experience lay ahead. Riki was a very easy client throughout her pregnancy. Very low maintenance, her pregnancy was easy peasy, no real issues or concerns. Riki rode well into her 6 month and had no complaints!

As we got closer to her due date, we started to chat more, I would check in for weekly updates and the updates were always the same, all is well, she felt good. In her last couple of weeks of pregnancy there were some mild concerns that babies growth was slowing down and by Friday, Aug 30th, 2019 the decision was made to induce Riki’s labour. The doctor felt her placenta was getting tired and it was time to meet this baby! She was added to the induction list and sent home to wait for the call to come in. They got the call the following morning and headed up to the hospital.

At around noon on August 31st the doctors started the induction process with a Cook’s Catheter to get her body ready. She was told they would be back in 24 hours to see where things were at. Riki and Ben spent the day and night at the hospital anxiously waiting for the next stage. At noon on September 1st the doctor came back and removed the catheter, affectionately referred to as Olaf for its uncanny resemblance to the the snowman from Frozen. Not much was happening in terms of labour starting, some mild cramps but really nothing noteworthy. Baby Davies was very comfortable right were he was and really showed no interest in vacating anytime soon.

 Around 5pm, Riki was moved over to Labour and Delivery so that the oxytocin could be administered to get her contractions going. We got all settled into her room in LDR, got her IV’s started at 6:08pm and then we waited. For the hunter jumper folks out there, labour induction is a lot like horse showing….just a long series of hurry up and wait! So we waited and we walked. We waited and we talked. We waited and we laughed. We laughed a lot. Riki had fantastic nurses and Ben had a lot of questions, most of which were pretty entertaining!!

 Her oxytocin was increased every 90 minutes or so and at 9pm her membranes were ruptured to see if that would kick things into gear. Finally around 930pm while we were walking laps around the hospital her contractions started, and they didn’t really ease her into it, they came on strong! Riki handled the changes with amazing strength and grace, rolling with each one with Ben’s incredible help and support. She powered through them for a few hours, really hoping that she was making some major progress. When she was checked it turned out there wasn’t much change and it was suggested she try and epidural to allow her to get some relief and rest and by 2am on September 2nd she was all tucked into bed, feeling much more comfortable and ready to get some sleep while she waited for baby. Ben got himself all set up on a cot and I snuck away for a couple hours of sleep as well.

 Shortly after 8am, the doctor came to check her again. She had dilated to 8 cms which was fantastic news. The epidural was doing its job, Riki was feeling pretty good and mildly rested and by 1135am she was ready to start pushing her baby out. We prepped her for what to expect, gave her the long speech about how it can take awhile to get the hang of pushing, especially for a first time mom. We explained that sometimes it can be challenging for someone with an epidural to feel what is happening and not to get discouraged if it took a little while to push him down. Really a wasted speech on my part. Riki was a powerhouse pusher and on her first push there was a big drop in babe’s heart rate. It is always a little bit scary when we see a drop in the heart rate but after we moved Riki around a bit, the heart rate came right back up again and Riki was able to start pushing again. The nurses theory was that Riki pushed so hard and moved babe so far on her first push, that it shocked him a little bit.

Amazingly, after just 42 mins of pushing, she pushed her beautiful baby boy out into the world. He came out healthy as can be, screaming and right into the arms of his mom and dad. It was a long, long weekend for Riki and Ben but the prize at the end is always worth the wait. In an instant you become parents and you can’t imagine what your life was like before baby. I never get tired of that moment. I struggle to hold back the tears every single time, mostly cause it would be weird for the doula to be crying more than the parents….

Riki and Ben have an amazing bond, they are best friends as well as husband and wife. Ben was present and attentive for every second of Riki’s labour, hands on and had the hip squeeze down to an art form. It was truly an honor to be able to share in this experience with them.

Welcome to the world little man – you are going to have the most wonderful life:) 

Sean David Benjamin - September 2nd, 2019 

7lbs 1oz 

 *side note – LOVE the name, especially the spelling*

Birth Story of Dawson Gabriel

Well little man, this is the story of the day you were born, and when I say day, I mean FULL day, 24 hours to be exact….

A little background on who I am and how I came to be a part of your story – I met your mom about 6 years ago when we were purchasing our first horse, she was the vet who held our hands through our first ever pre-purchase exam. She remained our vet and was there for us through all our firsts, the first major injury, the first time ever selling a horse and through it all she was professional, compassionate and most of all patient with all our questions and at times hysterics (when said horse ran through a fence). When your mom announced she was expecting you, I jumped at the chance to give back a little bit and reached out to offer my support as her doula.

I have supported some truly incredible women throughout their pregnancies and your mom has to be one of the most chill, laid back, low maintenance clients I have ever had (and I have had some AMAZING clients). We joked more than once that she made the perfect broodmare.

I met with your mom and dad a couple of times during the pregnancy, came up with a bit of a birth plan and talked about what to expect. As the big day approached we chatted almost daily, just to touch base on how things were going and how she was feeling. The answer was always pretty much the same, she felt pretty good, no complaints and no big changes. One of the changes we look for in first time moms is for baby to start to make its way towards the exit, to head down into the pelvis and get ready for the big event.  However, you seemed awfully content exactly where you were and showed no signs you wanted out….

Your due date (New Year’s Day) came and went without any excitement at all, and we continued to wait. Finally on the evening of January 5^th my spidey senses told me I would be hearing from your mom soon, I couldn’t fall asleep and sure enough at 1:05am the phone rang. Your mom called to let me know that things were starting, she was doing just fine with the support of your dad and would let me know when she needed me. I checked in with her again at around 5:45am and we decided she would make her way to the hospital to see where things were at. At 8am I met them at the hospital and after a quick assessment it was determined that it was early labour, all was well and we were sent home to labour away until things were further along. We headed home, sent your dad to bed for a nap so that at least someone would be well rested when you arrived.  Your mom and I hung out, chatted, and took the dogs for a walk.  Some of the highlights of the day for me were cuddles on the couch with the dogs while your mom bounced on the ball trying to encourage you to come down.

Your mom worked through each and every contraction without a single complaint, as they increased in frequency and intensity she just took it as it came. She did everything suggested and tried every trick in the book to bring you down and to get labour really going.  Things started to pick up around 2pm and by 330pm, it was time to head back to the hospital. We arrived shortly after 4pm and had another exam which revealed there had been some progression but not a lot. The exam also revealed that you were definitely feeling the squeeze of the contractions and didn’t love them, and they decided to keep her admitted so they could monitor you a bit better. As soon as the exam was over, your mom was up and out of bed and on the move again. We walked, rocked, lunged, bounced and did everything possible to encourage you to come down but you remained very comfy where you were. As we approached the 24hrs of labour mark, you started to show signs that you were getting pretty tired of it all and the decision was made to head to the OR for a C-section. It was FINALLY time to meet you!!

On January 7^th, at 12:53am,  you came screaming into the world and into the waiting arms of your mom and your dad.

Your mom is my new super hero! 24 hours of labour, 24 hours without sleep and she worked so hard to meet you. She was incredible, and your dad was her biggest supporter through it all. You are so blessed to have such amazing parents.

Welcome to the world little man, you are so loved and you have a wonderful life ahead of you:)

Dawson born on January 7th, 2019

 8lbs 14oz 

Birth Story of Mila May

This is the story of the day you were born and the amazing people who helped bring you safely into the world.

A few months ago I got a call from a co-worker, asking me if I would consider taking on a new doula client. She had heard I had ‘retired’ from doula work but was hoping I would make an exception for her daughter.  I don’t seek out doula work anymore but somehow the really exceptional people find a way to cross my path, and in this case, Shannon was absolutely an exception.

I arranged a meeting for Shannon and I, we chatted about her pregnancy, and her past. I immediately felt a connection to her and was instantly moved by her story and her strength. There is a quiet resolve to her and this sense that she has been through some stuff in her life, she has risen above it and is now ready to take on whatever lies ahead. I left the meeting feeling inspired and a little bit in awe of her calm presence and her excitement for the future as a mother. I leapt at the chance to be her doula and to see her through the journey ahead.

As we approached her due date, we started to chat more often and I got to know her and her partner Evan. Both were so excited to meet their baby girl!

On September 25^th, Shannon messaged me to let me know that she thought her water might have broken. Then she texted me to say, nope, false alarm. Midwife had checked her out and felt that labour wasn’t imminent (Shannon was less than thrilled with the news). I carried on with my day, she carried on with hers and later that evening she messaged me to say that she was feeling some contractions.  We chatted throughout the evening and around 9pm the decision was made to have her go into the hospital for an assessment to see where things were at.  Things were not very advanced. This little babe was having a good time get her mama going and then pretty much saying “just kidding!!”. Shannon was sent home to have a hot bath and get some sleep. The midwife and I also headed home for sleep, assuming that we would get a full night sleep and hopeful that labour would get going the next day.

Wrong again. At about 1am contractions kicked in again, this time with some attitude and the party was definately over for Shannon. I headed over to Shannon’s around 1:40am to see how she was doing and to keep her company. She was coping beautifully, rolling with each contraction as it came and then letting it go, despite the back labour she was experiencing (back labour SUCKS). Evan was right there for whatever she needed and her ADORABLE pup, Cooper was literally glued to her side as she quietly laboured away.

At 4am we checked in with the midwife and asked her to come over. Contractions were much stronger now and much closer together. Joanna arrived at around 4:40am and did an assessment of how baby was doing and where things were at. Baby was happy as a clam in there but when Joanna did an exam she discovered that what should have felt like a hard little head, felt more like a soft little baby bum…….it appeared the little peanut had quietly flipped herself around at some point and was now coming bum first. At 5:15am, we made the decision to head into the hospital for an ultrasound to confirm her position and make a plan for next steps. 

Shannon was a trooper. This is tough news to hear after you have laboured all night and her contractions were continuing to get stronger and she just powered through it. Very shortly after arriving at the hospital (around 6am), the OB on call was able to confirm that baby girl was in fact, frank breech (bum first) and suggested the best option was to do a C-section as soon as possible.  Again, Shannon and Evan just rolled with the news.  On the positive side, the C-section meant the end of the labour was near and Shannon was going to get to meet her baby girl within the hour. 

Shannon’s mom, Niki, arrived at the hospital at 6:30am, just as Shannon was taken into the OR.  (Side note, Shannon’s mom is an angel and my new favourite person for showing up with coffee! These all-nighters are getting harder and harder the older I get.) Grandma was sooooo excited to meet her granddaughter!

At 7:03 am, on September 26^th, sweet, beautiful, teeny tiny Mila was born. She may have early aspirations to be a gymnast or acrobat, as it looks like she had been doing all kinds of fancy moves in the womb and had managed to get her cord wrapped around her neck 3 times!! Shannon sailed through her surgery, much like she did her entire pregnancy and labour.

Huge shout outs to Shannon’s amazing midwife Joanna,  who came into this quite late in Shannon’s pregnancy and completed changed everything about Shannon’s experience. The level of support and care Joanna provided and will continue to provide is top notch.

I am so honored to have been a part of this journey.

Welcome to the world Mila!

xoxo

Seanna

 Mila May

6lbs 3oz 

September 26, 2018

Birth Story of Carter Reid

Well little man, this is the story of the day you were born. I've worked with your mom for a couple of years and when I was given the chance to be her doula, I jumped at it! It's been almost 2 years since I attended my last birth and I have missed it so much.

I had been in pretty regular contact with your mom over the past couple of weeks, checking in to see how she was feeling and looking for any signs that you were on your way. Your due date came and went pretty uneventfully and then on Tuesday, May 15th at 9:27 am, I got a text from Alli:

"Hey! Can I call you?"

Love texts like that!! I knew immediately that things had started and right away that rush of excitement hit me. We chatted on the phone for a few minutes, your mom was starting to have mild contractions and we agreed that she would keep in touch and she would let me know when she felt like she needed my help. About an hour later she texted again and asked if I could come over sooner rather than later and at about 11 am, I made my way over to your house.

Things were going smoothly, your mom was coping perfectly, taking each contraction as it came and then letting it go. No fear, no panic, just calm as can be. And hungry, your mom had an appetite pretty much the entire time. My favourite moment was watching her munching away on dill pickle chips, then put the bowl down to focus on a contraction, take a deep breath and blow the contraction away then 2 seconds later, back to munching away on chips, happy as can be.

We spent the better part of the day just hanging out, I sat at the table working, occasionally making suggestions but for the most part, she didn't need me, she just handled it so well. Your dad was there working away too, and running some last minute errands. It was a quiet calm day, music playing in the background, and everything was super chill. Slowly but surely the contractions picked up and got closer together and more intense, and all the while, your mom just rolled with it.

In addition to the support of all the people on the team (your dad, me, midwife Heather), there was Fred, your dog. He did not leave you mom. He stayed right with her through every contraction, protecting her and standing guard.

Around 530 pm, midwife Heather came over to check on things, your mom was about 4 cm dilated and still in early labour. Heather left again and told us to call her when Alli felt like she needed her. We moved around the house a little but for the most part your mom found the perfect spot to labour, a little triangle in the corner of the living room and we got into a pattern for coping with the intense contractions. Your dad was amazing, he was right there for every one of them.

Once things started to get really moving, we called the midwife back and she arrived around 930 pm to check on your mom again. She was now at 6-7 cm dilated, was making great progress and still coping so well. We spent another couple of hours at the house before heading to the hospital at 1130 pm. We got settled into the birth room (#8, the same room I delivered my baby girl in, 20 years ago this month!) and after a couple of hours, Heather checked your mom again and she was at 8 cm.

I was in awe of your mom. Still taking it all in stride, one contraction at a time and totally focused on meeting you! The decision was made to rupture her membranes (break her water) in the hopes that it would speed things up a bit. Labour got even more intense and after a few more hours and no real progress in dilation, the decision was made to get your mom the epidural so she could get some relief and some rest. She was working so hard and really needed a bit of break so she could be ready for you when it was time to push.

The epidural went in at 430 am and by 5 am, your dad was having a little power nap and your mom was supposed to be resting but I think she was too excited to meet you. Everyone took a little break and by 7 am it was time to push. You were finally ready to make your way out!

Now, usually it takes someone a little bit of time to get the hang of the whole pushing thing, especially when they have had an epidural. Not your mom, we explained what she needed to do and how to do it and she pretty much had it all figured out from the very first push and just a few pushes later we could see your hair and and then few more pushes, at 7:26 am, out you came, right into your mama's waiting arms. It was incredible. Her strength and resilience was truly amazing.

Your dad was right there for her and for you the entire time, they make up an amazing team and you are so loved little one. It was an honor to be there, on your special day.

Welcome to the world sweet boy!! xoxo

Carter Reid Wilman

May 16, 2018

7lbs 7 oz

Birth Story of Cooper Tenzyn

This week I attended a very special birth - my last birth as a doula.

I met Lynsay and Pacey in 2014, when they were pregnant with Ames. They had been referred to me through their midwife, Michele.  The connection I felt with Lyns and Pace was instant, I was honored to have been a part of their first birth and I was thrilled when I noticed an Instagram post in January of this year with the hashtag #18weeks.  I may or may not have been somewhat stalking them, wondering if they were working on baby #2 yet.

Lynsay and Pacey are so chill about things, we met to talk about the birth of their second baby and to come up with a bit of a plan, I let them know that I had some conflicts around their due date and they weren't concerned at all, we would just wing it and if it was meant to be it would be.

Lynsay's due date came and went, much like it did with Ames, so did a pretty serious heat wave. No one wants to be 40 weeks pregnant in that kind of heat but Lyns just rolled with it.  I checked in with them every day to see how they were holding up and the answer was also the same, they were great and knew they would meet this baby when baby was good and ready.

On the morning of the big day I got a text message from Pacey letting me know things were starting, mild contractions 6-8 minutes apart, and Lynsay was coasting through them.  I decided to head over sooner rather than later, just in case things got going quickly.  It took me about an hour to make my way over and when I arrived contractions had sped up, coming every 3 minutes or so and Lynsay was doing great, smiling, chatting and cracking jokes, she even had time for a bit of a snuggle with Ames while they waited for his ride. She wandered the house, holding her first born and breathing through each contraction like a boss!

Midwives Michele and Kaitlyn arrived about 20 minutes after I did, Michele did a quick exam and we started to fill the pool so Lynsay could get in and get a bit of relief from her contractions.  As usual, the water did its magic and Lynsay got into the zone, riding out each contraction as it came, taking them one at a time and completely relaxing in between. Pacey was a rock and cheered her on the entire time. Their connection, and their love for each other is a pretty cool thing to be witness to.

After a short time in the pool the decision was made to break Lynsay's water to help move things along and almost immediately after, Lynsay started to sound like she was ready to push.  Michele let Lynsay know she was ok to just trust her body and to go ahead and push if that's what she felt like she needed to do.

6 minutes later (yes you read that right, 6 minutes) Lynsay reached down and pushed her baby boy out into her own hands. It was incredible and perfect and pretty freaking awe inspiring.

It was an incredible note to end on, a truly lovely home birth, with truly amazing people.

Welcome to the world Cooper. Your life will be full of love and light.

Cooper Tenzyn 8lbs 8oz