Imminent

It was a 47 mile drive on some pretty icy roads; late at night, of course.  Rare is the baby that decides to make his debut appearance in the middle of the day.

I had fallen asleep on the couch watching some mindless movie on TV when my phone rang.  "Wanna have a baby?" said the voice on the other end.  Because I'm a smart ass, even when half asleep, I replied, "Um, not particularly no, but I'd love to help you deliver one".

So, I slapped myself a couple of times, literally, to wake up, brewed a pot of coffee and got my birth gear together.  My darling hubby started the car for me since She's a cold blooded beast that needs some love and attention on cold winter nights.  Once the coffee was done, I filled my trusty "to go mug", smooched The Man, patted the dogs on their furry heads and out into the frozen night I went.

When you live where I do and you're driving in the dead of night, you keep your eyeballs peeled for game.  The last thing I need on the way to a birth is to hit a moose or an elk or a deer or a coyote or a skunk or what have you.  So it's a slow drive down the mountain, watching for icy patches and roaming wildlife.

I didn't specifically know where I was going either.  Thank You Jesus! for the GPS feature on my iPhone!!  I have all the home birth clients in my contact list so when a mom decides its time to have a wee one, I tap the appropriate icons on my phone screen and WALLA, Bob's your uncle, there's a map showing me where to go.  Whew!!

When I finally arrived at my destination, I lumbered outta the car, and quietly walked to the front door of a modest double wide home.  There's a doggy bed on the porch along with various sleds, shovels and other winter paraphernalia.  Here's where I choke.  What to do... knock politely and await admittance or just quietly open the door and walk in?  Usually no one answers the danged  door anyway, because they're busy having a baby, but it sure feels odd to open the front door to a home you've never been to before.  I always have a moment of panic, wondering if I'm at the right house.  I guess if I ever open that door and find myself staring down the barrel of a shotgun, I'll know I've made an error!  That and likely pee my pants.

So, in I go, drop my bags, peel off my coat, and remove my shoes.  I ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS take my shoes off at a home birth.  I have a little prayer I say on the way to a birth, and part of it is to remind me to remove my "sandals since I am treading on holy ground."  I remind myself while on the way to a birth of the story of Moses and the Burning Bush.  God told Moses to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground.  I truly believe that a birth scene is holy.  So, by removing my "sandals" literally, I remind myself  to leave my "stuff" at the door.  ME doesn't need to be there.  ME and MY stuff should remain at the door, with the pile of coats, boots, hats, etc.  So whatever ME/MY is...worry over finances, a recent argument with someone, physical feelings of exhaustion or hunger, etc. gets put aside for whatever amount of time I'm on Holy Ground!!  It takes seconds because I'm already prepared before I arrive at the birth scene.  I've prayed, checked in and am on my game!!

When I walked into the birth room (in this case, as is usually the case, the master bedroom) I can see that birth is imminent!!  WOW!!  I barely made it in time.  Inga, the other midwife is already there and I can tell from looking at the scene that we are going to be welcoming a baby soon.  So, (lather, rinse, repeat) I scrub up and get ready to welcome another human being to the planet.

This mama was like Wonder Woman.  She never made a sound during contractions, just got really focused and introspective.  She was lying on her bed, underneath an old tattered quilt that her grandmother had made years and years ago.  She's birthed all her children under that quilt.  I couldn't imagine how she could stand it, as most laboring women have an elevated body temperature and are usually stripped naked to find some relief.  But not this gal.  She stayed under that old quilt and would clench the edge tightly during each contraction.  Inga and I just perched on the end of the bed and observed.

It wasn't long before Mama said she felt like she needed to poop.  Hurray!!  Magic words!!   Most women will feel like they have to poop when in fact it's the baby's head descending and pressing on nerves that stimulate the pushing reflex.  It totally feels like pooping... a bowling ball!!!

Mama pushed for 15 minutes and birthed a beautiful baby boy right in the same bed she had made him in!!!  She reached down between her legs and grabbed her baby as soon as his shoulders were birthed, lifting him to her breast.  Her big tough-guy husband began weeping and gushing like a school-girl!   It was priceless!!!

After the usual "after birth routine" which involves a bunch of important stuff like bleeding, placenta, latching, cleaning, etc. we made our exit.  As we quietly took our leave,  four older siblings were climbing onto the bed with their Daddy and Mama to take turns holding their new baby brother.  What an absolute darling family!!