Life as a home-birth midwife

I had been feeling that there would be a birth on Valentines day, with the full moon and all. But there wasn't. So here it was the day after, my head stuffy and nose running. It was 9pm and I was looking at a bottle of Benadryl:  should I or shouldn't I? I debated. The misery of my runny nose won and I reasoned that the chances were unlikely that I would be called as I tipped back the 2 tablespoons and envisioned a full nights rest. 

A pile of blankets on my bed, Call the Midwife novel in hand, I snuggled down for a lovely nights rest. With the help of the book and Benadryl, I soon could no longer keep my eyes open and flipped off the light. Sweet wonderful sleep, surely I will feel much improved in the morning I thought as I drifted off to dream land. 

Not even 40 minutes later my phone rings. Surely not I think, but I know. Sure enough it is Kathi and she says a mother is in labor and I need to come. I have to confess, it doesn't matter how much I love something that first step forward is hard to take. As I said OK, I'm coming and hung-up the phone, I looked at my cozy, warm bed and saw my dreams of a wonderful night’s sleep vanishing before my eyes. 

About 10 minutes later I was pulling out of my drive way into the night. It was 10:45pm. My GPS told me I would reach my destination in an hour. As I turned onto the main road, from the little side road, for some reason I didn't use my blinker or come to a complete stop - there was no one in sight. What is the point right? Shortly after I turned, I saw red and blue lights in my rearview window "oh crap" I said as I pulled over. "do you know why I pulled you over?" the officer asked,  I stammer that I am a midwife on my way to a birth as I handed him my license and registration. This is my second time being pulled over since returning from the Philippines, but only my 4th time in 14 years. I pray he will have mercy on me and not give me a ticket. He comes back and thankfully only gave me a warning. Whew!  

One huge difference between being a midwife here vs in the Philippines, is that in the Philippines the women came to us and here we go to them. I love both, but there is something extra exciting about driving through the night to a birth. Thankfully the roads were dry and I made good time. I had never been to this family’s home before and had only met the mother once. She told me their house is a little confusing to find, but I stored her instructions in the back of my mind. As I parked my car in an empty parking lot, I looked over in the direction where the GPS says the house is, there are many homes. What is the worst that can happen I think:  go to the wrong house at midnight. Thankfully her directions come flooding back and I made my way to the correct house. 

When I opened the door, I could see my fellow midwife across the room and the mother laboring in a birth tub. It is quiet and the lighting is dim. I headed back and say hi to everyone. The mother sounds transitional and I quietly and quickly helped set up the needed supplies for the birth. I am the assistant, so I lingered more in the back shadows. Shortly after I arrived, the couple’s  little girl, about 6,  woke up and came to watch. She is quiet, content and doesn't appear worried at the noises and strange movement coming from her mother. She just watches and helps offer her mom water. It is sweet. 

About an hour after I arrived, her water breaks and we know the baby will come quickly now. Sure enough, with mom kneeing in the tub, and only about two pushes, her baby girl comes sliding into the world. Beautiful!  I tried to remember to chart what was happening. Time seems to stand still at the moment of birth and I too want to stand still. But I have a job to do and I must record what is happening and make sure both mom and baby are OK. I love all aspects of being a midwife and the care that I give, but for me the moment of birth is like the icing on the cake. 

After a few moments the mom looked to discover if she has a boy or girl. She states "a girl, just like I thought".  The husband looks surprised and has to ask twice if she is sure. They already have one boy and one girl, but he was obviously hoping for a boy.  He smiles and says to his little son in his arms "I guess we are out numbered now". 

The 3 hours after the birth went quickly as we helped make the family comfortable and monitor mom and baby. They are doing great and soon we are putting on our boots and coats and heading back into the darkness. It is snowing when I leave.  I yawned and decided that I needed to find some coffee before I make the journey home. Meijer is just down the road and it is open 24hrs. I head there, it is 3:30am and they are busy restocking the store. I quickly bought my coffee drink and am soon on my way home. The snow was softly coming down, the darkness surrounds me and I am tired. I change the radio and sing sleepily along to the songs. It is hard to stay awake. But I finally make it home, back to the bed I left many hours ago and snuggle down until the sunshine comes beamingin my window a few hours later.