08/10/2025
This past week brought a very redemptive birth - for everyone involved. 18 months ago, on my 40th birthday, I (Shoshanah) transferred a 1st time mama to the hospital for a well-deserved epidural. I had been with her for the majority of 4.5 days, trying to encourage her baby to be born since she was over 42 weeks. The transfer was disappointing for everyone, but the family was still able to have a good birth experience.
When she returned to us with her second baby, we were all hopeful things would be different this time. Someone must have prayed REALLY hard! She went into spontaneous labor at 38w1d - a full month earlier than she had her first baby! Jill was out of town, I called to join us, since she had assisted at the family’s first birth. I firmly believe that the people who are meant to be at a birth will be there, and everyone at this one felt that way about the team reuniting.
I sat back and watched this mama tap deeply into her instincts. Her movements lined up with the position of her baby and what he needed to navigate his way out. She ate & drank, her husband held her up physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Her doula supported them both, helping with positioning activities, bringing nourishing foods, learning to work the Polaroid camera (and getting some really great photos), and making sure I was updated with any big changes when I stepped away for a couple hours to nap. Ruth brought extra hands and a spiritual energy that helped this family feel spiritually seen in the harder moments. We sang over this mama as she wept in the pool - the intensity an overwhelming sensation.
Story continued in the comments ⬇️
