Evangeline Harmon

Dear Evangeline,

Your birth was amazing. Your mother found my information in the internet and contacted me about being her doula for your birth. During the consultation, we figured out that I knew her dad - your Grandpa! It was a wonderful connection, and I think that fact made your mother decide to hire me!  She and your father and I talked and planned together over the following months. She also asked me to take maternity photos and that was a wonderful experience for me.

Your mother was doing wonderfully with her contractions. She was having some irregular labor patterns called "camel-back" or "piggy-back" which means that the contractions were coming in pairs; the second one started before the first had really finished. It made for hard work for the both of us. But she was strong and stayed relaxed and positive.
On June 15th, your mother started having some more regular contractions. We talked on the phone that evening and I told her to try and get some rest while she had the chance. She ended up calling me at about midnight and I got to your parents home at about 12:30 a.m.

She got in the tub and that helped for a while and then we moved back to different positions on the couch. By this time the contractions were getting a lot more intense and yet were still coming in the "piggy-back" pattern. She was still working through them really well, but I was concerned that the labor wasn't evening out because often irregular labor isn't as effective. At one point she had three contractions in a row which meant that she was contracting hard for nearly six and a half minutes!

We were  both exhausted and I decided to call the midwife, Katie, and ask her opinion. She advised us to start heading toward the hospital because she really couldn't diagnose the situation over the phone. So we woke your Daddy up and he got the car loaded.

We got to the hospital a little after  4 a.m. and your mom got checked into the triage. However, when they checked her she was only dilated 3 cm, 75% effaced and still in -2 position. In other words, not very progressed. It was disheartening for us all. Once the midwife came in and examined her she realized something was abnormal. As they transferred us to the delivery room your mother was literally writhing in pain - which is very unusual for being so early in her progression. Katie turned to me and said, "I think the epidural might be a good option."

They gave your mother some narcotic to ease the pain as they waited for the anesthesiologist. The epidural was finally placed at 5 a.m. I had stepped out into the hallway during this and came back when Katie came in. For some reason Katie decided to check your mother again and it was a good thing. "Oh!" Katie said, "you're a 5, oh there goes your water, now you're a 6!" That was at 5:20. And then started a flurry of activity!

When the water broke there was a lot of blood and meconium. These were further signs of something being worrisome. Katie called the NICU team to come and prepare for the birth and suddenly there were a lot of people in the room. Along with the NICU people there are several additional nurses there and everyone was very busy. Your mom was dazed and confused at the bustle and kept asking why all these people where in here. At 5:28, 8 minutes later, your mother had dilated to an 8!

Labor was progressing so quickly now that Katie would turn and put on one sleeve of her gown then turn back and help your mom and then turn and put a glove on and then turn back to your mom...it was amazing how she handled the situation. She was decisive and quick but still cheerful as she conducted the organized chaos around us. I was standing on one side holding your moms hand and trying to keep her focused, your Daddy was holding her other hand.

As Katie directed your mom to start pushing I could tell we were very close to needing an emergency C-section and I heard a couple of nurses say something about having the O.R. prepped.  Katie told your mom that she had to push you out "now." And your mother responded wonderfully! You were born at 5:43 a.m. Katie immediately handed you off to the NICU team. A few minutes later, once they had cleared out your lungs and felt your were stabilized, they handed you to your mother to hold for a minute before they took you up to the NICU. It was sweet and all too short.

It seemed like only moments later that the room was emptied and your parents and I were left alone. It was very surreal. Katie came back in to sat at the foot of the bed to discuss things with us. She explained that the placenta had started to detach from the uterine wall prematurely and that had caused the extreme pain during labor and the unhelpful piggy back contractions. This is called placental abruption.  Your mother's body recognized that something was wrong and was doing everything it could to get you out quickly. Once the water broke the detachment was nearly complete which explained the sudden and sever bleeding. Without placental support, you were without oxygen. That is why Katie directed your mother to push you out so quickly.

Katie told your mom that she had honestly saved your life. She also assured us that this was an unusual thing and that there was almost no chance of it happening to your mother again. She said that you probably wouldn't have to stay in the NICU for too long because you were already doing better. Your Daddy said your mom was "the boss!" He was so proud of how she managed this hard and scary labor.

Little Evy, your daddy and Katie were right! Because your parents and those attending your birth were smart and strong, your birth was a very special experience. And that makes you a very special person. I hope and pray that you will remember that and always try to surround yourself with wonderful people. I am so honored that I was a part of your amazing birth!

Best Wishes,

Estee Ragsdale

Doula

Ava Rose Galloway

Dear Ava Rose,

Your birth was one of happiness and I was so blessed to be a part of it! Being the first girl after four boys was one reason for this special joy, but your mother also wanted a beautiful natural birth experience. She spent months preparing mentally and physically. She exercised regularly to stay strong for you and she educated herself with the Hypnobirthing Method to stay peaceful for you. 

Your parents and I were in the same ward at church and met several times to talk and plan and prepare. I called to check in with your mother on June 6th to wish her a ""Happy Due Day!" She had been having some contraction that day and later that evening she said that "we would have a baby by morning." I encouraged her to get some rest if she could and keep me posted. She called at 2:15 am and said, "It's time for you to be here!" We worked together for a couple hours and the contractions were steadily increasing in length and frequency. Your mother was totally at peace though. She barely made a sound! When a contraction came she just closed her eyes and listened to the Hypnobirthing CD, breathing calmly - it was beautiful to watch. I was rubbing her back and giving counter pressure and encouragement.  At about 4:14 am she came out of the bathroom after a potty break and said calmly, "It time to go." You daddy got the stuff in the car and we waved goodbye to your grandparents who were in the living room.

We parked the car at 4:45 am and started making out way into the hospital. Every time a contraction came your mom would turn to me and I would wrap my arms around her and hold her up. This was kinda fun because I was pregnant at the same time so we were belly to belly, working through each contraction together . Labor was getting much more intense at this point.  Your mom kept saying things like, "Oh, Estee, she's coming! She's coming right now!" I even got a little worried that we wouldn't make it to the room in time! We even took a wrong turn getting to the maternity wing. We made it eventually and they (thankfully) put us straight into a delivery room.

There comes a point in labor for every women when they hit some sort of wall and think they can't do it anymore. This means that they are very close to the end. You're mother was working very hard and in between these last few contractions she turned towards your Daddy and said, "Nate, I'm sorry, I made a bad choice...I can't do this, I changed my mind...I'm so sorry Nate!" We cheerfully told her that she was doing it and she was doing it wonderfully! We experimented with a few different positions, but we found that the most comfortable one for your Mother was with me sitting behind her on the bed with my arms wrapped around her, leaning back and  holding her up.

We breathed and pushed through together and you came into this world 5:37 am. The Midwife, Katie, put you immediately up on your mothers chest and you let everyone know you were here with your tiny girly voice!  

Your mothers started crying and saying, "I'm just so happy!" over and over. It was a beautiful moment. As things settled down I asked your mother, "Ok Ann, would you like me to move out from behind you so you can lay back now?" And she replied, "Actually, Estee, I am just really comfortable here in your arms!" So that's how we stayed! After a while the baby in my tummy started kicking against your moms back, haha!

Ava, your birth was so joyful! We all felt it and your mother expressed her happiness repeatedly as soon as you came out. I got a delicious dose of happiness by being a part of your birth and I pray that this special joy will continue to be with you as you grow.

Sincerely,

Estee Ragsdale

Doula