I was at my husband’s hockey game when I got the text that Whitney’s water had broken. We had discussed her previous labors, and being that it is her third and all the prodromal labor, I was kind of on my toes for her. Prodromal labor is so tricky. It makes you think it’s time, and then dies down. While it may be frustrating, and mentally exhausting it can also be doing real work and when it comes time, if baby is in optimal position, things can move pretty quickly. I met with them at their home so that she could labor until she was ready to leave for the hospital.

I was their doula, as well, but really her husband, Taylor was SO supportive and wanted to help with everything. Here, he is applying acupressure to her ankles to help bring her contractions on stronger. I didn’t have to physically help much her entire labor because he took my every suggestion and direction. I don’t want to take a partner’s place. I would rather team up and offer the help that they can do. Doulas aren’t always hands-on if they can oversee, and just offer help. This is often my place with clients. I am always happy to jump in when a partner needs rest or a break, though.

When we got to the hospital, contractions had slowed down a bit. This is common. When you are at home laboring, you feel comfortable in your own space. When you arrive to the hospital, especially if it is early, the lights and overall cold feeling of a hospital can just make your body want to shut it down until you’re more comfortable. The best thing to do at that point is get into your room, lower the lights and get comfortable again. That is exactly what they did.

Getting into the water helps to relax the body during labor. The warm weightless feeling is amazing.

Whitney got settled and got back into her headspace. She rested on and off, and decided to take Cytotek to bring her contractions back.

While on Cytotek, her contractions and baby’s heart had to be monitored. This means being in bed for a little bit. As soon as she was allowed back out of the bed, she was up and walking, on her ball, and just trying to help her body with gravity and motion.

I loved that her nurse was able to switch back to intermittent monitoring afterwards. She was so great with following Whitney’s birth plan and wishes to stay moving as much as possible. That is a great plan to have. Being immobal during labor is sometimes counter productive. You want to move and use gravity to help your baby descend. Covid rules meant that she couldn’t walk the halls, but there are still alternatives to walking halls. The shower, and yoga ball are great tools during labor. Both of which were utilized for this birth.

This mama also took Hypnobirthing classes, and also did acupuncture before going into labor. Between applications of clary sage, acupressure and massages, she worked through her contractions so well. Her hypnobirthing classes, from Rachelle of Happy Birthing, were what really set this mama up for handling her labor so well.

The shower is where she spend a lot of her time in active labor to fully push her to transition. I listened to her from the outside of the bathroom, to give her space. I listened as they went from nice and easy low breathing, to more breathy and grunty. That is the magical sounds of labor. You know it’s getting closer to time when mama is listening to her body, and changing her sounds to help her cope.

Whitney got out of the shower because she started feeling more and more pressure. When she came out, it was clear she was in transition. She was in labor land, for sure. She still handled so well. Transition looks slightly different for everyone, but she was SO quiet still, and kept so collected as she stayed inward and really rode every wave her body brought her.

Taylor stayed by her. Helping her through it all. He felt everything so deeply with her and displayed those feelings outwardly. His emotional connection was read through his displays of true affection and empathy as he held her, with CHILLS on his arms, knowing he was about to meet his baby too.

Look at that support. ALL the heart eyes. Feeling supported emotionally and physically throughout labor is super important to the laboring mother. She needs to feel safe and comfortable.

Whitney worked through this last part of her labor so, so gracefully.

Baby’s heart rate was dropping slightly, so the nurse suggested a little bit of oxygen just to help. She wouldn’t need it long because at this point, she was already beginning to push.

THIS moment, is truly one of my favorites at births. When the midwife tells her to reach down to feel her baby’s head, it always gives the mother this huge burst of energy. All of the hard work she’s done, and now she’s seeing the light at the end of the tunnel just by feeling her baby. It becomes so pivotal for her just to know that she’s really there and about to hold a baby. Whitney got that burst of energy and knew she was very ready to hold her baby. Also, this was their third baby, and would be a surprise to their family. They were SO ready.

As baby was beginning to crown, the midwife offered for Taylor to assist in catching his baby. As any excited and nervous father would, he graciously accepted her coaching of what to do.

She pushed with all of her might. She ripped off that oxygen mask and MET her baby.

Relief.

Mama had some tearing that needed suturing, and baby needed some help clearing lungs of fluid.

This is the sweetest. Dad is getting a good look at his brand new baby.

Right back to mama’s chest, where baby belongs for that golden hour. Getting familiar with your baby, and your baby getting familiar with mama is SO crucial to these first few moments of life outside of the womb. Imagine being in a comfy space for so long and then coming out to lights and a bunch of faces. It is probably so confusing, but the warmth of your mother is the only constant and is right where baby transitions best to this new life.

I love capturing the first latch. It is the first connection out of the uterus, and goes on to be the last connection of you and your baby to sustain nutrition and life. It’s special, and the first one is so great to have photos of. Look at this baby looking up at mama

Skin to skin with dad is special too. This is the first true meeting of the comfort of the father to establish that familiarization. Truly the first moment a father gets to feel that connection the mother has felt all “nine” months.

Want to see their birth film?

Check instagram later today for the full birth film where you’ll find out the gender of their precious babe.

Comment your guess!

Carey is a birth photographer/videographer & doula serving Phoenix, Arizona and all surrounding cities. Considering a doulatog for your birth? Contact Carey to check due date availability!