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Her name was Jean. She lived just down the street in 5th Ave. Barrio. A large Earth Mother sort of woman, Jean was a gentle strength to everyone in her community. Pregnant with her fourth child, her baby was due very near Christmas, a fact that pleased Jean no end. A new baby for Christmas. What a wonderful gift. The pregnancy had been uneventful until she went into labor. When she came to give birth however, her blood pressure was high. The labor wasn't strong and she was able to lay down in a darkened room and rest. We hoped her blood pressure would come down. It didn't. She begged us to not take her to the hospital, but there was no choice. Her blood pressure had put her out of our scope of practice. In those years back in the early '90s, we did our marketing for the little children's home in the early morning hours, leaving for the market about 3am. The market was less than a block away from the hospital, so Jean and I struck a deal. We would stay in the vehicle, a utility jeepney-like van, and would monitor her blood pressure. If it didn't go any higher, she wouldn't have to go in to the hospital. If it increased we would have to go in, but the hospital would be close so we could wait until the last minute. There was a good possibility that Jean may birth in the van. We had brought an away bag so if Jean gave birth we could handle it. Her contractions became steadily stronger. The blood pressure stayed stable. The shoppers were still busy with their marketing. We were parked in a quiet location on the very edge of the large parking lot. The few people we could see were some distance from us. We spoke in whispers.
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It was the early morning dark of Christmas Eve when Jean's son made his entry into our world, Jean sitting on my legs, midwife Mildred kneeling in front, the little one slipping easily into her hands. Jean folded the new one into her ample arms. He would be safe there. Not a sound, except the unmistakable cry of a newborn baby and Jean's whispered reassurance to her new son that all was well. But, if one had listened very closely on that special Christmas Eve morning . . .could that. . .maybe, just maybe have been the brush of an angel's wing against the window?
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With the birth of our second child I thought I knew what I was doing! Yes, the last time they did induce me but I should know after watching lots of births what it all looks like. So a month before my actual due date I started to check all the Braxton Hicks I was having and got excited that it might be our time. This went on for the duration of the month and then for another week. By this time a friend who was a first time mother had her daughter using the small swimming pool we purchased together to labor in. As well another friend's baby was on the way three weeks early. On day 10 I was tired of waiting and the cool weather was not going to hold so I resorted to using castor oil; two tablespoons every hour for three hours. I got two helpings of that and decided I did not care that much any more. I had expected immediate results beyond the obvious results; I had to wait until 3:30 am. At that time I woke up with the strongest contraction I had had since the birth of my first son. I waited out three on one side and rolled over. After two I woke my husband to give him a heads up and tell him I was getting up. While my son and husband slept I labored along, I made a pile of things that still needed packed. At 5:30 am I was not able to handle the contractions alone so I got my husband up. He helped me and put the final things in our bags. I suggested we needed to get going but he suggested we let people sleep. I washed the dishes and in those 5 minutes I felt a pop feeling and there was blood below me. This convinced my husband and he went to get us a ride to my midwife's home. While he was gone I had my first contractions that I had to fight the urge to push during, it was very scary to still be at home for this sensation.We had a bumpy ride and arrived to find my midwife, Deborah, and her husband working hard to fill the pool where I wanted to deliver. My progress was checked and I was at 9+. A few minutes later I had a contraction that I knew took me to 10cm, and I told Deborah as much. I was able to get in the pool now and Jeremy, my husband, sat in a chair next to the pool. I put my face in his lap and he talked me through each contraction helping me to not push; to slow the arrival of our baby and to try to avoid a tear. A friend arrived and poured water over my back. This was helpful to me to stay open and relaxed by the feel of the flowing water encouraging my natural response of needing to urinate. As the head was crowning I decided I needed to roll over on my back so that I was half sitting half floating. I was burning from the head stretching my body and I decided to push the head out. With that, the rest of the baby came out and he was brought up out of the water to my chest with a wet warm towel over him this was at 7:35 am. We remained there in the warm pool until his cord was cut by my husband.I passed the baby to my husband to dress and we waited for the placenta to come, which only came after I got out of the pool where if I could have done I would have remained in all day. I did tear, right where I was cut for an episiotomy with my first son. It took 10 stitches to repair. I was amazed how much more comfortable I was with delivering in a familiar place with friends. I was fine with others holding, dressing, and even taking my new son to get weighed. I felt none of this ease in the hospital at my first delivery. Thank you for this wonderful and positive experience!!!
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