Graceful Birth Client-Brandi
Last month I had the amazing privilege of supporting a beautiful family in the GTA as they gave birth to their second baby boy. They are repeat clients of Graceful Birth. I attended their first son’s birth at Credit Valley Hospital over three years ago.
I just wanted to take a moment to describe how beautiful the birth was.
Brandi texted me during the day to say that she was starting to experience some cramps. We chatted for a bit to sort out what was going on. She felt great and continued on with her day. Having experienced labour before, she knew that getting some rest was very important during early labour, so she and her husband headed to bed early that night.
At approximately 1:00 am Brandi work up with contractions, so she hopped into a warm relaxing bath. A couple of hours later Brandi headed off to bed to get some sleep, but as soon as she layed down, her water broke. The contractions became closer together, three to four minutes apart, so we made our way to the hospital. As I arrived it appeared from the activity in the room, that she was about to have a baby. However, she was actually 7 cm. dilated, and her baby was posterior, (that means her baby was facing sunny side up). I suggested she get up and lean forward while her husband and I took turns squeezing her hips while she swayed. Her contractions intensified, so she climbed back in bed and went on her hands and knees to encourage her baby to turn. Her baby kindly cooperated, and when checked again, she was fully dilated and ready to push. So she began to push from that position. It wasn’t long before the doctor asked her to turn over because it was time to have her baby. The most calm and wonderful resident at Credit Valley Hospital gently guided Brandi and within minutes Brandi reached down and delivered her own baby.
A shout out to an amazing client for her strength and commitment to a natural birth; her amazing husband who showered her with love; continuously fanned her down; wiped her off with cold clothes; squeezed her hips; and gave her water to drink. And to the amazing staff at CVH for their wonderful and exceptional care.
If you’re wondering what I did this whole time as her doula…in her words, i was her “epidural”. I take it as a huge compliment to mean that my calm presence, guidance, and encouragement provided her with the support she and her partner needed to have the birth they wanted. Brandi was well informed, calm, confident, and in control. Another Graceful Birth. I love my job.
Grace Jose
