I finally found a chance to write a little about our second home birth experience, and even have a few photos to share. We didn’t take as many pictures as we did last time, but since they speak 1000 words, everyone should be all set.
Since the birth truly went off without a hitch, the biggest surprise of the day was me coming home early, before the end of the Canucks playoff game. Arriving home at 8pm was far superior to possibly getting home at midnight, a little after the first contractions and just prior to our midwife arriving.
The event certainly wasn’t old hat, but it did seem calmer, a little less emotional, and an even more joyful experience than the first. It must have to do with our expectations and understanding of the process, since when Gordon was born, there seemed to be a lot more running around.
Bed to birth tub to bed to walking around to birth chair to tub to bed again.
This time the only option made was bed, with the option of stool. Bed remained it and Kate got down to business.
In my opinion the calmness that Charlotte, our midwife, displayed makes all the difference in the world. She was calm and encouraging during the toughest of contractions, and kept Kate’s mind right when it seemed like pushing again was an impossibility.
I believe we should have had a doula there, since I was pretty useless and tired, and Charlotte and her assistants did a bit more running around to do some things our previous doula, Diane Hamilton, did. Also I had the urge to leave the birthing area once in a while, which left Kate alone. She has not mentioned this, however, our doula never left the situation with the birth of Gordon.
Charlotte arrived at approximately 1:00am, and Maggie was born at 3:34am, so the process was not very long an drawn out. When she arrived Kate was only 3-4 cm’s dilated, and quickly progressed with the help of everyone involved.
I was given the chance to “catch” the baby, but declined. I attempted to decline the cord cutting, but actually went through with it this time. Kate’s mother, Diane, was the lucky one who helped Gordon out last time.
Having a person with the experience, know how, and understanding of the birth process is essential to make the delivery go as smoothly as possible. Just like last time, Charlotte coached Kate in ways I never could, and not to sound sexist, but no many ever could. We just don’t REALLY understand the equipment.
When Maggie was born, we didn’t know if it was a boy or girl for the first few minutes, as nobody bothered to look. I had the honors, and in the midst of not having my glasses on, it being a tad dark and shadowy in the room, and the pressure of being right I said, “I think it’s a girl.”
Kate cried immediately, but held herself together. A few minutes later I asked for a double check, as I wanted to make sure I was correct in my haziness.
