Claire Ipson

Dear Claire,

Your birth was beautiful and strong, just like your mother. She had asked me many months before to be a part of the birth and I was thrilled! I always love being invited to first births because I get to experience the new glow with the new parents, it’s wonderful. As the expected date drew near, your parents and I met several times and talked and planned and prepared every needful thing. They had just moved into a new home and they were both working hard (especially your handy daddy) to have everything ready for your arrival. 

The day before your due date was a Sunday. Your mommy texted me that morning and said that she had been having regular contractions since very early in the morning. She was able to talk and move and do things during the contractions though, so when she asked when we should head to the hospital I assured her it was early labor and that we still had plenty of time. She decided to go to church anyway which helped distract her. And when she came home she made cookies! I spoke with her again that evening and she sounded way too chipper for a woman in labor! The contractions had been consistent throughout the day and were getting stronger and longer. 

At this point she had to stop and breathe through. I came over at about 8 that evening and found your mother bouncing and around on the birth ball with a big smile on her face! We all ate cookies and played games in between the contractions, it was a lot of fun! And we all worked together through each contraction to help bring you down. Your mother was doing wonderfully at staying peaceful during each wave, she would respond instantly as I coached her and massaged her to keep her loose. It was impressive. At about 10 or 10:30 pm, she started to lose her mucus plug and I explained to how she could check her own dilation. From her measurements, we guessed that she was around a 5! I was so excited! After that her body seemed to kick into a higher gear, the contractions were getting consistently longer and staying about 3-4 mins apart. And your mother finally started making some labor sounds! That clued me in to how close we were and I suggested we start moving toward the hospital within the next 30 mins. Your daddy said, “Lets wait until 11p.m. then let go.” This was a little longer than my suggestion but I was happy to stay and he seemed to be having a good time too! 

Once we were ready to leave, things were getting more intense and we drove to the hospital with your mom kneeling backwards over the passenger seat. I tried to encourage your daddy to run red lights and stuff – not because we were in danger of having the baby in the car or anything, but because when else do you have this kind of excuse!? But he couldn’t do it! Once we got there he dropped us off at the emergency room entrance and your daddy went to park the car. When we got in there, the nurse was trying to put your mom through triage. I tried to explain that they had already registered for the birth and that she was in active labor and needed to go to the maternity wing quickly. It wasn’t until she saw your mother have a contraction that she agreed with me! You mom would stand and I would hold her up and rock back and forth during each wave, and when the triage nurse saw us she said, “I’m just going to take you straight up. But you just have to tell them that you requested this because they don’t like it when we do this!” “That would be wonderful” I said, and I assured her that we would take care of it. 

Once we got your mom settled into the room, the midwife checked your mother’s progress. She was nearly 10 cm dilated and only had a little lip of the cervix left! As your mother learned to work with each pushing contraction you began to immerge slowly into this world. It was a beautiful thing to see! In between the contractions the midwife would stretch your mother’s pelvic muscles to help you come down. She said that your mother was so strong and physically fit that those muscles were really tight which slowed your descent. During this intense time, I could see the tension building in your mom’s face and body. I would massage her and remind her to relax and she immediately complied – it was amazing! The nurses commented, “Wow, she’s really obedient!” The midwife encouraged your daddy to help “catch” you and he was so excited! As soon as you slipped out into his waiting hands I could see how much he loved you. He was weeping with joy as he handed you up to your waiting mother. The three of you were just glowing with happiness. 

Claire, your birth was so special, and I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it. Your parents worked and prepared for you, they were so excited to welcome you into their family. The love and care I witnessed was sweet. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you and your parents as you grow. 

Best Wishes,

Estee Ragsdale

Doula

Brynlee Lynn Graham

Dear First Niece,

As your aunt and your mothers doula, your birth was extra special for me. It was a wonderful time of fun and family togetherness. As my "payment" your parents paid to fly me out from Texas, and Nanna Graham came along too to help me take care of my little William who was three months old. We got there a few days before your expected date of arrival and had a grand time with all of us together! Aunt Kayla, Nanna, and I slept together on some borrowed pads on the floor in the soon-to-be nursery and what laughs we had! We even showered together to conserve the precious hot water! During the daytime we walked everywhere we could to encourage you to come soon. In the evenings we played games and watched movies and talked about your arrival. We planned and discussed and prepared every needful thing. We were all so excited! Your birth time was surrounded by love and fun and family.

The day before your due date, your mother had a doctor’s appointment. The doctor said that she was not ready to have the baby yet but her body was preparing. He estimated you would stay put for a few more days. Your mother, Nanna and I had other ideas! We picked up some natural labor inducing things on our way home and your mom did several treatments that night. At about 4 am the next morning your mom crept into our bedroom and told us that today was the day!

We labored at home for a few more hours and your mother was doing beautifully. Your grandma Sommers came too and she was a wonderful emotional support. Your mom spent lot of time kneeling or standing over the bed while we massaged her back and brushed her hair. At about 8 am your parents decided that they wanted to be at the hospital so we packed up and drove the few minutes over to the little Rexburg labor and delivery unit. The labor was progressing steadily and we still had a ways to go, but we were blessed to have a wonderful nurse named Lael. Between her sassy cheerfulness and your mother’s funny labor talk we had some good laughs.

Your mom was very conversational during labor, which is rare and tremendously endearing. She would give herself pep-talks, "My contractions are gonna hurt, and I'm gonna be okay." Or she would bargain with her belly as a contraction started, "dang, it hurts! No no no! I don't want it!" And then dear Lael said, "Are you fighting with your uterus?" "Yes," your mom replied, "it's not being very nice!" At one point your dad was laying in the little bed behind your mom to support her back, and he accidentally pushed the paging button with his bum. When Lael came in he explained and apologized for calling her. She just brushed it off saying, "Did you butt-dial me?"

Finally it was time for your mother to push you out! Your Grandma Sommers held your mom’s hand, your dad held one leg, and I held pressure on your mom’s back as she gave it all she had to finally bring you into this world to join our family. This was a very tender moment. Several family members were waiting out in the hall for your imminent arrival. But when your Grandpa Sommers heard your mom bearing down he snuck back in- closely followed by the others- and they all squished in behind the curtain. As you made your way out, your daddy and I held hands across your mother’s body and cried together as we felt your spirit pass from our Heavenly Father into the room. You let out your first cry and there were stifled sobbing cheers from the peanut gallery behind the curtain.

Brynlee, I have never seen such a beautiful newborn as you! You were glowing and pink and soft. After the initial crying you settled down to just gaze at everything and everyone around you with your big almond shaped eyes. Of course we were all smitten! I want to reiterate the feeling surrounding your birth. Your family was all around; we loved each other and were eagerly looking forward to loving you. Heavenly Father loves you very much too; I felt His love for you and for your wonderful parents. Your birth was a beautiful, sacred and joyful experience and I feel so blessed that I was a part of it!

All my love,

Aunt Estee