I love it when past clients are expecting baby #2 and invite
me to join the birth party!! This week was an extra special birth as Lauri’s
water broke on my daughter’s birthday and she gave birth to her baby girl in
the same room I had given birth in, 18 years ago.
Lauri and Mark’s first baby, Avery, was born 2 years ago
after what seemed to be a week long labour. We had hoped for the sake of everyone involved (especially
Lauri) that this baby would be slightly quicker. Lauri’s water broke first
thing in the morning on May 31st and by noon there was still no sign
of labour (hmmm this is starting to sound familiar). Lauri kept her regularly scheduled midwife
appointment and after an exam there really hadn’t been a lot of progress
(things are now sounding very familiar). Lauri went on about her day and I went
on with dinner plans to celebrate my girls birthday. I kept my phone close by
in the hopes that I would hear from Lauri soon.
We made it to dinner, then we made it home from dinner…..
Lauri must have one cozy womb because neither of her girls seemed all that interested
in vacating the premises.
Around 10pm, Mark called me to let me know that Lauri was
feeling crampy and things seemed to be rolling now. I started to make my way
over to their place and arrived at 1040pm.
Contractions were coming about every 3 minutes and Lauri was no longer
having any fun. Midwife Kaitlin arrived around 11pm and checked our momma to
be. She was 4cm dilated and we made the plan to move the party to the hospital.
Lauri was not enjoying her contractions at all and wanted to get an epidural.
After a short but very uncomfortable car ride for Lauri we arrived at the
hospital at 1130pm. Lauri was eager to get the epidural going but needed to be
checked and assessed.
However, unlike her last birth, things were moving along
very quickly. In 30 minutes Lauri had gone from 4cm to 8cm. With her labour
moving along so smoothly there wasn’t going to time for the epidural. Not at
all what Lauri wanted to hear. She was
doing so well and despite being understandably pissed, she dug in and toughed
it out through her very intense contractions.
Women in labour can become very sensitive to lights, sounds and smell
and our sweet momma was no exception. In this case she was very sensitive to
sounds (there was a strict no talking rule) and smells……particularly my smell.
After 2 shirt changes with no relief she ordered me to take off my shirt.
Taking off my shirt wasn’t really an option so the midwives got me some scrubs
(super cool cause I have always wanted to wear scrubs), Lauri was much happier
and we were back in business.
*side note – normally people quite like the way I smell but
turns out that the laundry soap I use was a no go for Lauri.
Very quickly Lauri was fully dilated and it was time to
push. She was a super star and was pushing strong and in no time had pushed
babies head out but once the head was
out baby got a little but hung up on a shoulder. The midwives and nurses reacted quickly and
within 3 minutes, at 12:59am on June 1st, 2016, baby was out and with a little help from the pediatrician
she was crying, pink and healthy and tucked in skin to skin with her mom. Lauri remained calm and in control for what
were likely the longest 5 minutes of her life. She was truly amazing.
After some snuggles with mom, Vivian Grace was taken to the
NICU for 4 hours of observation, just to make sure she was completely healthy
and by 6am she was back with her mom, nursing and happy.
Once again all the people involved were incredible, I cannot
say enough good things about midwives and the nurses from LDR. Lauri was fierce and brave despite her crazy
fast labour and somewhat scary delivery, Mark was on his very best behavior and
supported his wife through every moment and I was honored be part of Team
Choistings the second time around.
Welcome to the world Vivian Grace!!
Vivian Grace Cheuk Kay
Born June 1, 2016 @ 12:59am 8lbs 2oz
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