JOVIE NOEL’S BIRTH STORY

      I’m not much of a writer, but will try to capture some of the things I remember from Jovie Noel’s birth. 

     It was December 26^th, 2009.  The day after Christmas and we already decided to take down the tree and all decorations.  I think it was mostly because the tree was already dead.  Plus we wanted to start getting the house ready to put on the market.  Our move, to Florida, was quickly approaching.  I remember feeling some uterus twinges throughout the entire day.  One even made me stop while leaving Wal-Mart. 

     Around 3 pm Michael and I decided to start timing these “twinges,” as I noticed myself kind of stopping to feel these sensations.   Around 5:00 we decided to call our midwife, Betsy Robinett.  I told her what I was feeling and the consistency and timing of the contractions.  After rescuing her kit from a frozen-over car she and her assistant,  Amy, were on their way, from De Leon.  Our doula, Laura Smith, whom I had been texting with my body updates all day, was on her way also.  She was coming from Ballinger. 

     At around 6:30 Laura arrived at the house.  Prior to that Michael and I took Inara across the street to John and Lorie Philpot’s house.  Her bag had been packed for over a week.  I had 3 contractions at their house and one in our driveway on the way home.  When Laura arrived we gave her directions on using the camera.  We also got the bed prepped with sheets and shower curtain.  Michael had a beautiful fire in the fireplace.  I lit candles and had my music ready to play.  Of course Michael thought it would be appropriate to mention him wanting to play a video game. I don’t think that ever happened.  And I don't think I ever thought that comment was funny, either.  Laura had brought with her a Christmas card/Birth art that she shared with both Michael and I.  It was beautiful and I have it to share with Jovie one day.

     By 7 pm Betsy and Amy were at the front door.  As soon as I saw Betsy I had another contraction.  She said this typically happens.  They both were prepared with their equipment.  I remember worrying about them slipping on the ice at the front door.  We had an unusual snow 2 days prior. 

     Betsy proceeded to warm herself by the fire and then got all things out to do my exam.  She took all vitals which were slightly elevated above normal.  I believe I was 70% effaced, 3cm dilated and my cervix was slightly posterior.

     We all sat around the living room, chatted and had some snacks.  This included peanut butter bread, yogurt and cranberry juice for me.  With every contraction the room became silent.  Laura gave me a foot massage at one point.  Michael rubbed my back off and on while sitting on the birth ball.  We shared some funny stories for awhile until the contractions became a little more intense.  I remember yelling at Michael at one point.  I also remember saying, “I'm done with the storytelling!”

     I gravitated towards our bedroom and everybody eventually followed, Michael being the first one.  I tried different positions, as the contractions had really gone into my legs.  I was on the bed, laying over the ball, while Michael massaged my hips.  Then I was on the ball, on the ground, while Betsy and Laura took turns massaging my legs.  It seemed to help a bit through some of the contractions.  Not all were felt in my legs.  Michael did a wonderful job of reminding me to relax my shoulders and to let go.  He was a great support and gave a wonderful massage while I obviously started transition pretty quickly.  

     It was obvious because not only was I was yawning between contractions, but I was also hot and cold off and on.  I wanted our heater on, then off.  I wanted a blanket on me, then off.  I had to be reminded to release my legs and and shoulders over and over.  I was starting to hold the tension in those places, which really allowed me to be in more pain.  Transition now even more apparent because I began to cry.  Betsy went ahead and checked me again and I was definitely at 7cm. 

     Time passed, and things kind of became a blur until I was 9cm.  We decided to have Betsy break my water.  We thought maybe things would go a little bit faster.  Unfortunately the only thing keeping me from going to a complete 10cm was a little lip of cervix.  It took a pretty long time to get rid of this “lip.”  At this point I was in a side lying position on our bed.  My eyes were either closed or focused on Michael.  I remember moments of opening my eyes to each person involved in the birth.  Everyone was so calm and focused.  All eyes were soft and caring.  There were many moments when I cried out for Betsy.  Just knowing she was nearby gave me a  great peace of mind.  I often cried out for prayers also.  Having not only Michael, Betsy, Laura and Amy there to support me, but having God also got me through each contraction. 

     I started to feel the urge to push and Betsy said that I could a little bit.  I still wasn't at 10cm.  That last little piece of cervix was really making me work hard.  The contractions were very intense and often piggy backed.  As I got closer and closer to the end I became extremely focused on Michael's voice, words and occasionally his face.  I ended up holding on to his shirt and not letting go until Jovie was born.  Betsy never really once told me how or when to push.  What an awesome thing!  I got to completely listen to my body and push when I felt the urge.  Jovie and I worked together until the very end. 

     After one push I could feel Jovie's head moving down and then receding a bit.  With each intense contraction I pushed and screamed as hard as I could.  I remember feeling Jovie's head crown and hearing Betsy say she was “checking for cord.”  All was well and with another push, I delivered Jovie's shoulders and the rest  of her body.  I felt Betsy help me with that.  (total of 4 pushes and in 15min)

     As soon as Jovie was out, Betsy put her on my belly and I got to hold my newborn instantly.  I think I cried.  I was so overwhelmed by emotions, I'm not sure what happened, other than feeling much joy for finally seeing my Jovie.  She came out pretty blue, like most babies, and quickly pinked up.  She was beautiful with these beautiful pink lips and this gorgeous, strong and warm body.  Betsy did her routine things that needed to be done.  I was still in awe and remember thanking every person for their help and telling Michael that I loved him. 

     We allowed the cord to stay attached until it stopped pulsing.  It took almost 45 minutes for me to deliver the placenta.  Betsy had given me 2 herbal tinctures (mistletoe and angelica) to help the process.  Soon after that Michael got to cut the cord.  The placenta was delivered and I got to see what our baby had been living in for the past 9 months.  Pretty neat!  Betsy even said how healthy it looked because of my good nutrition throughout pregnancy.  Oh, and I forgot to mention that the cord had a complete knot in it.  Very unusual.

     10 minutes after Jovie was born she wanted to nurse.  No problems for this 8lb 6oz, 20½ inch long child!  She latched on perfectly and quit intently.  Jovie was very, very alert.

     Amy prepared an herbal, healing bath for Jovie and I.  It was such a wonderful thing so soon after birth.  Jovie nursed again and got to get semi clean.  Betsy recommended leaving some of the white vernix on her body because it's supposed to be moisturizing to the skin.  We also took her advice on leaving her cord alone and not putting anything on it.  Within a week it fell off!  Alcohol acts like a pickling agent that allows it to stay around longer.  Needless to say her belly button is very cute!

     After I got changed and cleaned up Betsy did the newborn exam.  Michael got to weigh her.  I sat back and watched and rested.  It was great talking with everybody about the birth.  Laura soon left after we got settled in.  Betsy and Amy left around 5:30 am for a long ride back to De Leon.  We all snuggled in our bed to rest.  Of course Michael and Jovie slept wonderfully and I laid there wide awake.  I was reliving the moment over and over in my head.  Because I couldn't settle myself I decided to text everybody the good news! 

Reasons I chose homebirth:

1.      I didn't want any interventions and wanted labor to unfold naturally

2.      I believe in God's design of the female body and its purpose in birth

3.      I wanted the comfort of my own home

4.      I wanted the power of choosing positions, movement, foods to eat  and my surrounding environment

5.      I wanted to choose the people who would attend my birth

 Betsy had me on:

1.      Gentle Birth Formula to allow labor to be a little slower and not as aggressive as I had experienced with Inara.  It is also supposed to help minimize bleeding during and after labor.

2.      Grape Fruit Seed capsules for my Group B Strep because its believed to be a natural cure for the colonization of strep B-causing bacteria.

3.      Probiotics to help keep the good bacteria in my systems. 

Keith's Home Birth: "Our Story"

May 6, 2008

Click Here for the Story

Amazing Breech Birth

November 3, 2006

Note:  As a midwife, when I attend an out-of-the-ordinary birth like this one, every detail has to be perfect.  If at any time something had not been right at this birth, we would have gone to the hospital.  Breech births are not very common, so midwives don't attend very many of them.  I am not advocating that every breech baby should have a vaginal birth with this story.  But every breech baby should have the option of birthing vaginally, something that is not offered at many hospitals.  I take every pregnancy seriously, and weigh all the options with the parents, before making my recommendations to them.   I do not lightly advocate a home breech birth.

God did an amazing thing today.  He took me (the midwife) and my apprentice (the mother of the baby) through a very rare type of breech birth:  a footling breech.   

There are many types of breech births.  The footling is the type in which the feet descend through the birth canal first.  It is a birth that may be more hazardous than the complete breech or the frank breech, in which the breech (the bottom) of the baby descends through the birth canal first.  The baby’s bottom, being bigger around than her feet, dilates the cervix more effectively and there is less danger of the aftercoming head being caught in an incompletely dilated cervix.   

My apprentice and friend just had a footling breech baby at home with no medications and no medical interventions.  And by the way, she was a first-time mother, and over 30 years old. 

Cora's Beautiful Feet 

It was incredible to watch the baby’s feet being born first.  They were beautiful!  The baby was in a squatting position, with her feet right by her bottom, so she dilated the cervix very well.  (This is nearly like the complete breech position, in which the baby is sitting cross-legged.)  

But before we could see the feet…before I would even let the mom push…I had the mom pant through many, many contractions that she wanted to push with.  This was in order to make completely sure that the cervix was out of the way and all the way open.  This was the hardest part of the birth.  Once I was completely sure that there was not even a tiny bit of cervix anywhere, I let her begin pushing.  She was so grateful to begin pushing.  During the panting, one of the other midwives (there were two other midwives in attendance) panted with her and kept eye contact with her through every contraction, so she wouldn’t lose her concentration and give in to the temptation to push.  This was invaluable. 

Midwives with Baby Cora 

After both of the baby’s feet were visible, I realized that the bottom of the baby was wedged in with the feet.  Since this was probably going to be too much volume for the mother to birth without tearing, I gently pulled one leg, then the other, out to the thigh.  At this point, the baby looked like she was crossing her legs!  This picture will stay with me forever… 

Mom then pushed the baby out to the belly button.  I pulled a loop of cord loose so that the cord wouldn’t be pulling on the belly button during the rest of the birth.  As I did this, I felt the heart rate of the baby through the pulsing of the cord.  Mom continued to push, and soon we saw the shoulder blades of the baby. 

I hooked one arm out, then the other.  Then we allowed the baby to dangle for a few seconds to bring the head down far enough to be able to deliver the head.  I took the baby by the ankles and pulled her body up enough that her mouth became visible.  Her mouth was born!  She immediately started to breathe, even though she wasn’t born yet!  It took about a minute and a half before the rest of the head was born, but all the time, the baby was breathing through her mouth.   

When her head was born, the mom said “ouch,” or some such thing.  (Imagine that!)  After one minute, the baby’s Apgar score was a perfect 10!!!!!  This means that she was pink all over her body, breathing, her heart rate was normal, she had good muscle tone, and reacted when stimulated.   

And best of all, the mom birthed her first baby breech without tearing or having an episiotomy or a C-section performed on her. 

What a high!  Surely God has created our bodies for giving birth.  He was there every step of the way, helping me, helping the mom, helping the baby.  What an amazing miracle.  Many people were praying, and their prayers were answered. 

Thank you, O Lord, that You are the Creator.  You have created our bodies so amazingly that I can only shake my head in wonder.  Every birth is a miracle, and You have called me to be a midwife; I am so grateful that You allow me to see You at work so many times.  I get to see new life, I get to feel babies begin to breathe, I get to see their eyes look at their moms for the first time ever. 

Many firsts took place on this birth.  It was the first breech I managed as a midwife.  It was the first breech that one of the other midwives had ever seen.  It was the first baby for the mom.  It was the first footling breech for all of us!!! 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. 

He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul. 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. 

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

Thou anointest my head with oil. 

My cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

This was the prayer I prayed as I peacefully drove to the birth of this baby.  God honored our trust in Him.  He led us down the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Praise His holy name! 

Betsy Robinett, LM, CPM  

New Happy Family!

Cora at 3 1/2 months.