Ames Valour - June 16th, 2014

Welcome to the world little man – this is the story of the day you were born.

First things first, my name is Seanna and I was fortunate enough to have been chosen to be your mom`s doula.  Their fabulous midwives Michele and Joanne had suggested she connect with me and I knew from the moment I met your parents I wanted to be a part of their journey into parenthood.  I felt an instant connection to them both and left our first meeting feeling energized and excited.   We stayed in touch over the next few weeks and I was so impressed with their attitude and approach to whatever may come with your mom`s labour and your birth.   Each time we spoke on the phone or after each text I wanted to cheer a little, they were always so positive.  I checked in with your mom a few times the week of your due date and on the Sunday morning I texted her to see how she was feeling, her response was – I feel great, probably too good to be having this baby anytime soon! – which turned out to be famous last words…..

Around 10pm that night, Sunday June 15^th, I got a text to let me know that her water had broken but no contractions had started at that point.  I suggested she have a glass of wine, a warm bath and try and get some sleep to rest up for labour that would be hopefully starting by morning.   At 11:01pm I received a text from your dad letting me know contractions had started and were already quite close together and I decide to make my way over to their house.  I arrived at around 1130pm and sure enough; your mom was definitely in labour and was coping beautifully.  Your dad was very hands on and was by her side through each and every contraction.  Your mom decided to get into the birth pool and being in the water helped her manage her contractions.  We called Michele to come over around 1am and she arrived at about 145am to check your mom and see how far along in her labour she was.  Amazingly, she was almost fully dilated at 2am…. That is incredibly fast progress for a first time mom!!  Joanne and Lana, the birth photographer, were called and both arrived just before 230am.  Your mom started pushing and we hoped to have a baby before the sun came up.

(Side note about Lana – this was the first time I had ever worked with a birth photographer and Lana was amazing, never interfering, yet quietly capturing every moment.  She was like this tiny, Cirque du Solei photographer!)

Well little one, you had other plans…. Your mom pushed and pushed and pushed.  She tried every position we could think of for pushing.  She was so strong and so brave, never once complaining and not once did she even think about giving up.  She stuck with it and slowly but surely, bit by bit she brought you down and closer to coming out to meet her.  Finally, at 544am she pushed one last time and you made your way into the world…..with one of the craziest cone heads I have ever seen!!  It all made sense why it took so long for you to come out and why she had to work so hard! Turns out you weren’t quite turned the right way and were facing sunnyside up (one of the most challenging ways to push a baby out)!!  Your mom is a warrior and a super star!!  We helped your mom have a shower and clean up, made the bed, had a champagne toast (at 7am) and then tucked the new family of 3 into bed, you happily nursing and your mom and dad looking blissfully happy.  You were born into a room full of light, laughter and love, much like I suspect your life will be full of light, laughter and love.  It was an honor and a gift to be a part of this experience.

Ames Valor Pacey June 16^th at 5:44am, 8lbs 6oz