Birth of Baby Boy Jireh!

 Got to hospital, she was 6 centimeters dilated, kept gospel music playing, room dark, only bathroom light on, client felt the need to hug me, hang on to me throughout the transition part of labor when she got a contraction. She told me later that my holding her hand rubbing her back was not enough during this part. Trust me when I tell you, she had a hold on me! I really love this photo, such love and surrender on both our parts.
 

 About 5 pushes and Jireh out and on his mama!

Premdev, doula, is full of love and joy!

More happiness!

 Pure Satisfaction and Joy!

Wow! Thank you Holy Holy Spirit! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am once again most grateful and honored to be of service to your divine mothers in supporting them in bringing forth the healers of this next generation. Childbirth is filled with surrender on so many levels, not to mention the surrender a doula must make, as well as a laboring woman!  I got to my client’s home around 1:30pm. She was ready for me to help her through the birth surges (contractions) by giving massage, aromatherapy, music, prayer, walking, squatting, whatever would support her in getting through each contraction.  She labored at home until 8:15pm, and then we left for the hospital.  We got to the hospital at 9:00pm and when the midwife came to check her, she was already 6 centimeters dilated, more than half way there!  I remember my client whispering in my ear, I don’t know if I can do this, (this statement was made after her water broke and when her contractions were even more intense!)  I said to her, “if you need to get an epidural then that is quite alright, it is okay.  If you feel that you have done your best, that is what’s important. Let go of any judgments you may have about getting an epidural.”  About five minutes later she says to me, “I think I can do it (have a natural birth), I just really need you to be here for me.”  I said, “I am right here with you and I’m not going anywhere.”  At this moment, I knew that she had made the shift and was completely committed and surrendered to having a natural birth.

We eventually were taken to the room where she would birth and in this room we set a healing and soothing atmosphere, as I mentioned above, lights were off, and only the bathroom light was on. Gospel music was playing and she would occasionally sing or hum through a contraction.  When she would have a contractions, she would get up on all fours in the bed and rock her hips, we would massage her back, hips, legs and she would be very engaged in long deep breathing.

Finally, at 11:40pm on October 18, 2012, baby Jireh was born healthy, naturally without pain medication.   Mom and baby are doing great!  Jireh was born on my sister’s birthday and one day before my birthday! What a wonderful birthday present for me and my sister!  I was laughing at myself, thinking come on little baby you can come on my birthday (just 20 more minutes), then I’d look at my client and think, okay just get the baby out, after all it’s not about me! Right!  What a great birth!  Congratulations new mama D! You did excellent! Warrior Woman that you are! Stand in it!  I love you and I am so happy that you chose me to be there with you!