A Birth Story: Karolina Mae
In the days leading up to Karolina’s birth, my prayer had been for a peaceful, beautiful and healthy birth and that I would rely more on Jeff, that we may be united in a new way. When the year of St. Joseph was announced by Pope Francis, I felt an urgency to switch my care provider. While I loved many things about our previous provider, specifically its solidly Catholic identity, I felt very drawn to a birth center experience which they did not have as an option. With my first two hospital births, I felt some opposition from some nurses while laboring naturally. Desiring a natural birth again, I wanted my experience to be different. After hearing good things about the birth center owned by St. Joseph’s Hospital, I decided it was my sign to switch. I was already 28 weeks at that time so I didn’t get to meet many of the midwives, but the birthing rooms were beautiful and the center felt very calm and relaxed.
On Tuesday, May 4th, I was feeling a bit “crampy” while making dinner. After eating, I decided to rest on the couch while Jeff was giving the boys a bath. While relaxing, I felt a little “pop” of liquid and I knew immediately my water broke. This had never happened with my oldest two, and with it being one week before my due date I was stunned. I yelled upstairs for Jeff to come down and I went to the bathroom. When Jeff came downstairs I stood up and more water gushed out. We looked at each other shocked: Lina was on her way! I immediately called my friend and doula from my previous births, Sarah Branion. She had texted me earlier in the day letting me know she was sending prayers and thinking of me, and warned that even though I’ve gone late with my births in the past, baby could come any time. (She must’ve had a feeling little gal was on her way!)
Jeff texted our friends, Kylie and Liz, to spend the night just in case contractions picked up in the middle of the night, and we ran around the house packing and cleaning. When they arrived we prayed the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary and my boys drifted to sleep in my arms. It was such a powerful way to prepare for my labor. Contractions were picking up and I was feeling pretty giddy and excited, chatting away with my girlfriends as my contractions got stronger.
At around 10:30 P.M. I decided to call the midwives to let them know that my water had broken and contractions were beginning. They told me to go to bed and come in the morning if things moved along. We got to bed at around midnight and I tried to rest through contractions, but at 1:30 A.M. I knew I couldn’t sleep anymore. I jumped in the shower and things continued to progress, so I told Jeff to get ready to go.
We were out the door and on our way to the birth center at 2:52 A.M. and arrived around 3:20 A.M. I was having very strong contractions but still felt pretty normal in between surges, so I got a little insecure upon arriving that I may have come in too early. It was so peaceful when we arrived at the birth center: the lights were dimmed, fake candles lit, tub filled, and the diffuser was on. I had never met the midwife on call (Ellen), but she was so kind and calm, I immediately felt at ease. She let me get settled then checked baby girl’s position. I was 6 cm dilated and completely effaced. I felt so relieved I was moving along.
I sat on the ball for about 30 minutes leaning on Jeff through each contraction. My midwife then recommended that I empty my bladder to make room as baby continued to move down. After using the bathroom I decided to challenge myself to do three contractions with my left leg up on a stool to help bring baby down in proper position. I made it through 2 contractions like that, leaning on Jeff through each one. The surges were strong and I felt like I needed to rest. I said, “I need to lay down.” Jeff laid down next to me on the queen sized bed and heard me say “pushing” after my first contraction in that position. I was shocked to feel my body already pushing her through. They removed my clothes and without any intentional pushing, Lina was born in the second contraction at 4:51 A.M.
They placed her on my chest and I looked at Jeff stunned and said, “We did it!” and Jeff said, “Emily, you’re done!” We were both in shock and overjoyed that Lina was already here. All I could think about was gratitude at how merciful the birth was. It was short, peaceful, beautiful, and healthy (and no tearing!!!). My prayers were overwhelmingly answered.
I received a shot of pitocin in my leg to avoid bleeding, delivered my placenta shortly after, and we were left to nurse, rest, and enjoy our gal for a couple of hours. I then took a warm bath while Jeff snuggled with Lina on his chest, and at 7 A.M. the midwives on the next shift arrived. Jeff and I ordered Einstein bagels and the midwives checked over Lina and weighed & measured her. She was 19.5 inches long and 7 lbs. 10.4 oz.
At 10:00 A.M. we were discharged, and we were home by 10:30 A.M. Our boys greeted us upon our arrival with a flower in each hand. Isaiah eagerly looked at me and my belly and asked, “Can you hold me now?” Kylie and Liz departed for work and we began to settle in as a family of five.
