Molly's notes at the birth.

Molly, our doula for the birth, took some notes as things went. Its nice for me to read over, as I was so much in the moment while it was happening, I dont have much of a time-line.

Julia, Greg and Olive’s Birth Story

Jan 7, 2010

14:00 Julia calls to let me know that she lost her mucus plug the day before and that she’s been feeling crampy on and off for the last couple days.

23:00 Julia calls to say that contractions have been coming every 15-20 min since 6 pm.

Jan 8, 2010

05:00 Julia calls to say that she hasn’t been able to sleep. Feels like she should sleep but is awake with anticipation. Not sure what she should do. I go over. Contractions have subsided a bit since we spoke. Greg is sleeping. We drink tea, chat and watch “Pretty in Pink” to try and relax. Julia dozes off a bit during the movie. I leave at 7:30 to attend another birth. Julia is feeling much better and more relaxed. She’s going to try and sleep some more.

15:00 I call to check in. Julia was able to sleep for a couple hours. Contractions are still every 15 min or so.

23:00 Julia calls. Contractions are every 5 min. She feels ready to go to the hospital. I suggest coming by her place first and then going together. On my way, Greg calls to say say that the intensity of the contractions has picked up and they’d like to go straight to the hospital. I come by in the taxi and pick them up.

23:45 We arrive at hospital. Greg and Julia go into triage. Julia is examined and her cervix is effaced and dilated 2 cm. The nurses encourage walking for 1 hr, before admitting her.

Greg and Julia go walking.

Jan 9, 2010

02:00 Settle into birthing room. Contractions are more intense, 3-5 min.

02:25 On foetal monitor for 10 min. Foetal heart rate is good. Julia is on the bed on all fours. Greg and Molly take turns applying pressure to hips and lower spine.

02:35 Pees, Contractions are coming fast and are more intense. Julia labours in various positions: Sits on ball, kneels, side-lying. Julia is feeling nauseous so I give her some peppermint oil to smell which seems to help a bit.

03:30 Julia is re-examined. Dilation: 5cm. Decide to take a bath.

04:00 In the bath. Use showerhead to spray warm water on Julia’s back. Keep applying pressure to lower spine. Around 04:30 Julia starts grunting during contractions – sign that the pushing stage is approaching. Leave bath and go back to the room.

04:30 Dilation is 8-9 cm with bulging membranes. The station of the baby is 0. Julia rests in side-lying position

04:40 Membranes rupture. Fluid is clear.

04:50 Dilation is 9 cm with a cervical lip, but nurse is able to push the cervix away with her finger during a contraction. Pushing stage begins. Dr. Mclaughlin is called. Julia pushes on her back/semi sitting. Dr. McLaughlin encourages small pushes while delivering the head.

05:32 Baby born. Baby is welcomed by Julia, Greg, Molly, Dr. McLaughlin and nurse (name forgotten: Fabiana?) Baby is placed skin to skin with mom. She is healthy and vigorous. Apgar score is 9/9.

05:37 Placenta is born. Dr. M looks for tears. No suturing is needed. Julia feels very shakey.

Over the next hour and a half, Greg sits skin to skin with Olive while Julia eats cookies and some grapefruit and recovers from post birth jitters. Breastfeeding is initiated soon after the birth. Baby is alert and feeding well. She feeds on both breasts. Everyone looks proud, confident and full of love and joy.

By 7:30. Mom, Dad and baby are resting comfortably in postpartum ward.

Congratulations Julia, Greg and Olive!