Three births...

...in six days!

Thursday, Nov 13 a baby boy was born, after a long, intense labor for mom. We were first called on Wednesday evening, and went to the home to check on mom. After a brief period, we left...and were called back some time later. With still no real change, we went home, expecting a mid-night call. Instead, it was about 6 a.m. when we headed back for the last time. Baby was born around 12:30, four minutes after SROM, on the birth stool. The father, who was not at all involved in the labor, was supposed to catch...but went for In-n-Out burgers, and ended up missing the birth!

On Tuesday, Nov 18 (my midwife's birthday!) I got a call around 6 a.m. that TWO mamas were in labor...fortunately at various stages. After checking on the first, my midwife picked me up and we headed to the birth of a lovely first-time couple. We arrived around 10:45; mom was laboring in the tub with the support of her husband, in candle-light with classical music. It was peaceful and calm; she wanted nothing to do with us :) Around 1:15, we could hear that magical change in vocalizations, and withing 25 minutes, a 7 lb 10 oz baby girl was born in her bathtub. She had a tight nuchal cord, which necessitated a head-tuck, body birthing maneuver, but fortunately not an early cord-clamping. Once mom moved to the bed, she birthed the placenta...and began bleeding something fierce. I administered shepherd's purse first, then two doses of IM pitocin (5 minutes apart), then oral methergine. Fortunately, the issue resolved and no transfer was necessary. Of note with this birth, aside from the yikes of the bleeding, was the very unique placenta. Upon examination, we realized the placenta was HUGE! It was almost heart-shaped or twin-placenta in appearance...except it had a whole extra lobe to it as well...and the cord was inserted in the middle, so definitely not a twin...It must have taken up most of the uterus.

S later researched this particular placenta, and realized it is an extremely rare occurrence, called a placenta membranacea. Not surprisingly, it is associated with post-partum hemorrhage.

After leaving this birth, we went home for a quick bite to eat. Right around 6:15 we were called back to the other birth. We arrived there by 7 or so, and baby was born at 9:15. This was a VBAC, and I was so honored to be part of the journey and healing for this powerful mama. A healthy baby boy, weighing 8-11 (I think?), joined his big sister and parents. Mom did tear, which had some good bleeding. Of note also was a strange, audible POP that shocked everyone in the room...it happened just before baby was born. Something (unknown still) was holding baby back from crowning at about +1 station. After the pop, he came instantly to a full crown and was born on the next push. Mom did not feel anything unusual, there was nothing obvious, but *something* was holding up that baby (and most likely his sister during her labor).

There's the quick version...our next mama is due in early January.

Just want to say an extra thank you to my fantastic friends who make my attendance at these births (and apprenticeship in general) possible by watching Baby L for me. And of course, thank you to my husband and kids who patiently wait at home while mom runs off yet again...