You might find the chores of natural induction to be too tiring, too challenging, too much work, but seriously do you think your man made Labor contractions will be a cake walk? If so, better think again. Your labor will always be easier to manage if you go into spontaneous labor all on your own. In it’s natural form, most women find labor to be much less challenging. Jessica would concur, it was a full days work for her, but she also did a fabulous job of preparing and prepping her own body for labor! Under the guidance of her doctors, weeks prior she used Dr. Christopher’s Birth prep. She drank red red raspberry tea frequently. She listened when I suggested she have pelvic adjustments from Dr. Kelley Helmendach. She tried acupuncture, tried the Buffalo Chicken Pizza at Hawthorne’s and even tried stripping the membranes at doctors office a few times, but in the end, it was a good old fashion talking to that helped to get her head on straight. Girls, you must realize how we are wired. We have to get our mind right to allow our baby to come out. It’s our mama bear syndrome. If we can not bring ourself to be in a state of relaxation, if we sense a potential harmful or toxic environment for our child, we release adrenaline and adrenaline keeps labor shut down. Jessica had many bouts of pre-labor, but stress holds us up. When we put away anxiety and stress, we shut the adrenaline down and labor can commence naturally. Once Jessica was able to do that, she found it quite easy to complete her natural induction homework. We began with Lebanese (special thanks to Pita Kabob of Matthews, NC) for always taking such good care of my moms! I shared exactly what I wanted her to consume and not only did she do her homework, but she enjoyed every bite! She found once she filed away her stress, she also had the best nights sleep of her pregnancy. My text update from her the next morning was, “I can’t believe I slept for twelve hours!” I reminded her now we work, let the "what got you into this-get you out & walking" homework commence and throughout the day she did a few other natural things including “roof of mouth pressure point work” to intensify her contractions. Your Birth Helper has a common phrase she has used for many many years... “What got you into this can get you out, fingers crossed, legs uncrossed gets you a baby!” Funny yes, but quite an accurate statement. Here is why: The semen contains natural prostaglandins. Prostaglandins efface the cervix and preparing it for labor. Now, ponder this, for years hospitals have sold moms (near term or overdue) artificial prostaglandins in a variety of forms such as prostaglandin gel or cervadil. Now, before you men go patting yourself on the back, know it is typically not the act of intercourse that gets a mom into full blown labor, but keeping the semen against the cervix that thins the cervix. At the hospital, you would be in bed girls and once the artificial prostaglandins were placed you would not get up. Same concept when used naturally at home. What goes up must come down so, you must stay put to make the best use out of your natural prostaglandins. Also, are you aware that nipple stimulation and orgasm release natural oxytocin? Oxytocin is also artificially reproduced and sold to women everyday in a synthetic form commonly called, Pitocin. I like to call it Vitamin P, when used only as needed. Just like a vitamin, it can help you get your baby out. Therefore, you shouldn’t be so opposed to it that you don’t recognize it’s benefits when truly medically needed. If your uterus is tired and contractions are slowing down, well a little Vitamin P can help. However, many women fail to even try to do the work at home that could save them both time and money. Why? Good question -maybe they just aren’t aware of what to do. Likewise, that is where YourBirthHelper.com and quality education comes in. They need the information and the how to’s of Mother Nature’s best kept secrets. This is why I am extra proud of Jessica! Not only did she educate herself, she asked the right questions and made solid decisions that if all possible, despite her gestational diabetes, she would do the work to at least try to get her own body into natural labor. In fact, when I arrived at her home, this is what I found, "the look of a very successful natural induction!" She was careful to over hydrate and not skip important high protein meals to sustain her body through its important work. She sent labor updates during the day and once things picked up into a solid pattern, I proceeded to drive up from Ga. When I arrived, I could not have been more proud! She was a champ, using the labor positions she had been taught, but I opened the bedroom door to find very strong contractions causing her to rise to tippy toes. That is quite instinctive to do. The uterus is pushing down and women respond to that by raising up which once gluts are engaged actually is antagonist of our job of allowing the head to move down with each contraction. I quickly corrected her and the tension fled from her body. I helped her find her shoes and down the stairs we went stopping for contractions on the way. Mike was getting their son to the neighbors, I held Jessica as she sank her bottom down and had her do a little grunting technique I often use for women bearing push phase. She found it worked beautifully and just in time. As Mike entered the kitchen another contraction commenced. They were very close together now. Mike supported Jessica as she performed her important work. I assisted Jessica into the car. She was really working now and advised dad we needed to get going, but grandma had not yet arrived to look after their daughter. Mike pulled the car around and I stood on sidewalk to let her mom in the house. All of a sudden, Jessica calls for me while jumping out of the car. I quickly attended to her as she once again sank down into my arms in the middle of the street. Her mom arrived soon after and once again I put her back in the car. May I say, I encourage all coaches to observe all traffic and safety laws. Mike was not that Coach... lol. Luckily, for the couple, I had Nancy on the curb at Novant Main when they arrived. Nancy took mom via wheelchair, while dad parked the car. Nancy observed in the elevator, her uterus was still trying to push a baby down... in fact, the security guard informed me when I gave her name, “That lady came in having a baby!” I LOVE IT!! Her birth plan was executed beautifully! By remaining healthy and low risk and arriving in late labor, Jessica successfully avoided typical routine interventions such as IV, excessive monitoring, antibiotics, etc. She was smart, informed and during labor at home, she even kept check on her own blood sugars. But, her labor prep began long before her baby's "birth" day, for start she attended a #YBHLaborWorkshop where they not only educated themselves on the why of natural birth, but learned practical skills designed to teach moms how to best manage their labor. With the encouragement of Your Birth Helper's own Allison Termeer, she was successful at staying encouraged to eat well and exercise properly throughout her pregnancy. She was also able to avoid insulin, despite hospital pushing it as a routine intervention. Nancy shared: Got to hospital ran up to room by security guard ( awesome) quick cervical check was 8 cm with bulging bag. They put her on monitor, she did a few squats over floor with hubby supporting her. I was on left side and held leg up and open. She arrived with pressure and urge to push. Kudos to Novant Main nursing staff for being hands off and basically watched, called the Dr and let the natural process happen!!! Of course, arriving ready to birth well... little time for pointless consents/papers or starting a IV. Loved the reverence to the process that was working already all on its own without medical assistance, just like Jessica had wanted. She had a few doubts (typical of transition) she asked for some IV pain meds (forgetting she hadn’t had an IV) Nancy whispered to her why? Not recommended because too far along into labor. Jessica said, “I don’t know if I can do it!” We all reassured her, all that was left was pushing baby out, that she’d Already Done it! She then prayed a precious prayer for strength to push and we tweaked her position and technique a few times! Push phase officially had just began yet quickly ended with Dr Dean’s instructions for the final pushes to maintain control. Sadly, the Novant/ Presby way almost always involves the uncomfortableness of stirrups. We will give her doctor credit for supporting her bottom better and sparing her from stitches!!! Jessica turned inward to her core faith and belief that God would get her through, even when she had brief self doubt, she was controlled even when she didn’t think she was. Jessica even asked for a peanut ball, but labor down had happened in car and elevator. Arriving 8cm and quickly progressing, the staff apparently didn't have time to locate one. It is a little frustrating to us Doulas, why Novant rooms rarely have linens stocked, balls handy, cups, etc. basic things even pillows? And, even if a room is stocked, everything is on lock down and we can’t help the nurse or our client, because we have zero access to the basic necessities in the room. "Determined, amazed, proud, energized, confident in her faith in God, willing to trust us to help her in the crucial moments!" Nancy Cook, YBHD "I walked in to Jessica on bed, her water had just spontaneously broke and she had just been checked was 10cm cleared to actively push. Jessica was doing the whole last minute “doubting herself transitional signposts” and then regrouped with a prayer in between contractions and the very next push he was born! Very controlled pushing! Her YourBirthHelper Labor Workshop worked well." Allison Termeer, YBHD Dr Dean shared it was the best natural birth she’s experienced! What an amazing compliment to not only the couple, but the #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam, as well. Words of wisdom from new mom Jessica: Attending a YBH workshop was very helpful for coping techniques and it was a great way to involve my husband in my preparation for a natural birth. Although we couldn't commit to the full 12 week Bradley Method course, the YBH workshop really helped us learn and establish a mindset of me depending on Mike for help. Having to depend on another is not my strong suit, I'm sometimes to a fault an independent person. I worked on getting the mindset that I wasn't going to do this alone and it was ok to ask for help or tell him what I needed. It wasn't going to be a nuisance but a relationship building experience. Having constant support through Allison and Pam, was very pivotal to my success, because some days I was curious if what I was feeling was normal. Then some days, I really just needed to vent, but most of all being able to share my progress with my doctors visits was huge for me. Having gestational diabetes and being pressured into so many tests and monitoring, was definitely taxing on my psyche. I had to regroup constantly with Pam and Allison, to remind myself that listening to my body was much more important than listening to anyone else. Informed consent is something I'll never forget, to make sure I'm making the best decision for me and my family. Having Pam and Allison, tell me that I was capable and my body was made for this was huge for me. There was a moment in the heat of pushing, that I was giving up on my ability to push the baby out and Allison gave me a very stern reminder that I can ABSOLUTELY do this. It was a great moment between us that I'll never forget. She transferred her belief onto me and I got my strength back and did this birth my way with no medical intervention. Pam was pivotal arriving at my house at 10:30 at night, when I was entering transition and really losing my ways to cope. She reminded me of a technique involving my husband, where I could sink down and lean on him and it helped tremendously. Nancy was a huge part of my success too... she was able to give me information which let me know what to expect from the doctors. This was very important, because I was labeled "high risk" and I needed to know the expectations. These 3 ladies made my pregnancy so much better in so many ways. Part of giving birth, is also all the things you do to prepare during the 9 months you are pregnancy. I avoided an induction, insulin, csection and routine medical intervention all together. Thanks to these ladies! Having Isaiah is one of my most prized moments in life and thanks to the low intervention way In which I was able to “give birth,” my recovery time has been so short and honestly much easier than I imagined it could be! Going into this early on, I was terrified of the recovery time, because my last child took me months to recover. Right now, as I write, Isaiah is only 12 days old and I'm feeling great! I have 2 other children about to start school and my husband is back to work. I'm able to manage the house without any real down time. I never expected to be able to do what I'm doing a short 12 days later. If I were to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing about Isaiah's arrival or my pregnancy. This birth and pregnancy was the opposite of my first child in all the right ways. I only wish I would have known about all of these things the first time around. This team of women are extremely capable of helping any woman stay healthy during her pregnancy, train to “give birth” how she wants. We truly had the happiest “birth” day EVER!! I can't stop sharing how important it is to have the support of a Doula or Doula team, who is truly committed to helping you make your dreams come true. Jessica Graham Easton Congrats again to Mike, Jessica, Faith and Wesley for their #SymbioticBirth and their 6 lb 13 oz addition (despite an ultrasound advising an 8lb baby). A machine is still a machine... focus on what you can control daily: what goes in your mouth, your exercise level, training for labor and leave the rest to Mother Nature and good care. #symbioticbirth #YourBirthHelperLaborWorkshop #warriorwoman #birthfamily #naturalbirth #NaturalInduction #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam #CharlotteDoula #Doula #DoulaAssistedBirth #gestationaldiabetes

As a Childbirth Educator and Doula, I often use water to illustrate what transpires during labor. First time moms are quite interested in what to expect during the birth process. The more a laboring woman understands about how her body works, the more apt she is at weathering the changes associated with the natural process of “giving birth,” not being “delivered from the experience .” Sadly, many birth professionals have lost site of this for the sake of the work being easier for them. This is why I created the Symbiotic Birth movement. We don’t need birth professionals to understand our decision of how we want to give birth, we just need them to SUPPORT our choices (if we are healthy and low risk) and maybe more importantly ENCOURAGE us along the way! Early labor contractions come in waves and grow closer together and last much longer in late first stage. A hard labor contraction is much like that of the oceans tide. The now quite noticeable contraction builds, peaks out and then fades away. These contractions demand much more of our attention. These two know a lot about maneuvering the oceans tides, as both met previously while working in the yachting industry. Although, they formerly worked on opposite ships, the deep blue sea and the love of it still managed to bring them together. The couple had first met in Fort Lauderdale while out with other friends. Mimi had just started working on yacht, Sovereign and Nick was on yacht, Anteres. As fate may have planned it, their separate boats were both destined to end up in Mediterranean waters the summer of 2010. What a romantic love story! Most would agree the water has a way of creating both the utmost relaxation, as well as, the ability to rock the boat and create uncertainty when out to sea. Labor has a way of doing the same especially when women and their coach do not educate themselves. Women often buy their relaxation in the form of a shot, instead of learning proven relaxation techniques, proper positioning, etc. and when their only plan of medicine fails them they quote “suffer through it”. Now look, make no mistake, unlike Nick & Mimi, many pregnant couples are not the least bit interested in highly educating themselves in the birth process, at least not always with the first one. Let me speak the truth, we can’t take away all the rip tides associated with average labor, nor the white water rapids of short labor, nor the rogue waves that challenge women who go through a difficult transition, but what we can do is properly prepare them ahead of time. YourBirthHelper.com prides ourself in offering high quality labor and birth training in a variety of options for extremely busy couples. It’s what changed the entire experience for Mimi & Nick. They already knew from their yachting days, you don’t go into rocky waters (nor labor) and not have a clue how to keep the boat afloat (manage labor) regardless of your choice to medicate or not. Mimi chose to labor and birth without hospital pain management options, but chose to prepare her mind & body ahead of time to welcome and understand the process thus removing fear which also lessens tension and then throw in proper positions you only have to endure the contraction itself, not all the unnecessary pain women create for themselves. Here the couple learns the many benefits and uses of the peanut ball for natural birth. They were already aware of hospital options and routine interventions, however they didn’t just want to meander their way through their birth marathon in a sail boat which is tossed about by strong winds & rushing tides, nope they were gonna drive their yacht the way they wanted it to go, knowing the skills they were acquiring would give them confidence despite a 37 week induction. They hired YourBirthHelper.com to support their wishes for their happy “BIRTH” day and we helped navigate the couple through some common labor challenges and still achieve their ultimate goal of drug free / epidural free labor & birth. Together, the couple overcame multiple bouts of stress issues with (Monty seemed to only like one position, left side lie throughout first stage which challenged us greatly), man made artificial contractions, late labor meconium, avoided amniotomy, avoided episiotomy and despite not being able to use water in the form of tub or shower as a comfort measure for mom, various other relaxation techniques, such as, counter pressure, massage and visualization worked extremely well for Mimi. Dad, Nick originally inquired of the value of having a highly trained Doula attending. I believe he now knows the many benefits of investing into the birth process long before labor begins. As normality experts we helped create a plan for Mimi of natural ways she could prep her body for labor. You see, the typical hospital experience often still fails women, even when women choose drugs such as epidural or narcotics, because the medicine itself doesn’t remove the fear of unchartered waters. Often women who chose that route still use words such as traumatized to describe their birth... to anyone reading this blog post pregnant right now, know this: Plan ahead to Educate and learn how to work with your body not against it, explore your options for comfort measures (drugs are just one of many options), there are Birth balls, peanut balls, rub/ shower, a multitude of good positions, first and second stage basics (the right way to react to turbulent seas and the wrong way and the wrong way always creates more pain ontop of the contraction). Why would you create more pain for yourself? Why not prevent any unnecessary discomforts all together and simply manage your contractions by doing everything right? In the photo below, the crystal clear water of the Arkansas River is making its way across the river rocks as the steep Colorado mountains ridge watches from above. It is the perfect analogy of both how quickly natural labor can change and how labor contractions appear to look like tiny mountains that appear during EFM (electronic fetal monitoring). The laboring woman’s uterus begins to squeeze, the contraction begins to build in intensity, then peaks out (about halfway thru) and then it decreases in intensity while slowly fading away. The rocks in this New Mexico river bed represent the variations, obstacles or road blocks Mom is likely to encounter along the way, particularly during a medical induction. There are times, when an expecting mother seems to know best, as does the river water setting out on its own course and also times she does not, such as possible variations/ complications. However, just like unforeseen obstacles in the river can reroute, slow or prevent the water from flowing its normal course, an untrained laboring woman, may instinctively do things wrong during a contraction and therefore, cause great deviations to her normal labor that can also slow, reroute or stop her contractions. As Doula’s, we help navigate the ship through any uncertainty or uncharted parts of the journey. For example, Mimi had to undergo a medical induction at 37 weeks gestation for cholestasis. She had first thought maybe she had come in contact with an unusual plant that had given her a rash similar to poison oak or ivy, but later after seeking treatment discovered she was one of a small population of pregnancy moms affected by this condition. Her college friend and former client of mine, Amanda, in Charlotte, had referred her to YourBirthHelper.com to assist her through what is often a very challenging process at 37 weeks. Baby’s do not take kindly to being forced to evacuate nor doing without their “womb”service. In fact, healthy women often carry beyond their estimated due date with the average healthy mom carrying 41 weeks and 1 day before spontaneous labor kicks in. Mimi and Nick were not only obviously committed to low intervention birth, but it was clearly made evident they are committed to one another. When Mimi was struggling, Nick was right there to offer loving encouragement and maybe more importantly, a new relaxation technique or positioning for better comfort. He was an active trained coach empowering Mimi along the Journey into Parenthood. She didn’t labor alone. She had him ever present by her side. It is most often, not that a laboring woman can’t take another contraction, it’s that she doesn’t want to feel alone in this very important work. And, truthfully as a devoted couple, actively attempting to bring a baby into the world, why should she have to? Where women go wrong... they assume their mate knows what to do. However, just like women don’t, men are even more clueless of what to do to help. Girls, work smarter not harder. It just common sense if dad has no idea how to help you, he can’t. The coach needs to understand and learn their job during the labor process and technically they need to know mom’s job too. That way they can lovingly correct what we may or may not be doing correctly. The irony, just about the time mom decides she can’t go on is just about time we are close to giving birth. Mimi was blessed to have a Midwife & day nurse, who encouraged her during her self doubt phase despite hearing the words still 6cm for the third time. This is not the time to throw in the towel. What we know about the cervix... it can do whatever it wants, when it wants and boy will it ever. What we can do to avoid becoming discouraged or sabotaging our own birth plans is simply “ask them not to say the results aloud or avoid the internal exam until either constant rectal pressure without a contraction or a head presents. For Mimi, pushing was right around the corner. And, although she was just told she was 6cm dilated for the third time, 15 minutes later the now expelling work of the uterus was quite evident during her exhale. We continued to labor down utilizing hands and knees for gravity, along with the peanut ball in side lie. Note: baby’s seem to hate the fetal monitor and will often try to get away from the heat bubbles it creates. It is not uncommon for nurses to have to chase a baby down for valid monitoring. This does not constitute a baby in trouble. Also, keep in mind, sometimes fetal heart rate decels occur with certain positions and even during head molding. This also should not create a sense of panic. Parents should know this, if a baby does not like the position, we must move and find a position in which baby is happy. You can never go wrong with changing positions and Mimi had to do so to kept baby Monty happy and avoid further intervention. Mom and dad had learned the proper techniques for push phase and Mimi executed controlled engaged abs and pushed extremely effectively maybe 30 minutes. Toward crowning, I reminded her to listen carefully to her Midwife and that Vickie would coach her through stretching and gently welcoming Monty into the world. Not only did Mimi push like a row machine champ, when needed she rocked her little grunts and patiently waited for the next contraction. I placed Mimi’s hand on her baby’s head and reminded her to open her eyes. Her Midwife encouraged her to reach down and help baby out and into her own arms... then for a brief moment time stood still. Father, Nick watched in amazement and I am pretty sure I saw a little water leaking from his eyes as he gazed upon his first born son for the first time. Then he quickly leaned down and kissed his wife. You see, when a couple “gives birth” together (regardless of how the baby exits their body) there is a sense of accomplishment on both sides. Nick, who only thought he loved his wife, now knows and recognizes the sacrifices made by Mimi and her body for both carrying and bringing forth new life. When I asked Mimi what was her top goal of birth, she replied, SKIN TO SKIN with my new baby. Not only did she accomplish her number one goal, she brought him up to her own chest, as he simulataneously took his first breath. Congrats Nick & Mimi! It was our pleasure to help you plan and execute your happy “birth”day! #naturalbirth #SymbioticBirth #MidwifeAssisted #YourBirthHelper #Doula #DoulaApprenticeship #YourBirthHelper #naturalbirth #epiduralfreeinduction #symbioticbirth #yachting #pitocinsurvivor #Midwifeassisted #AtlantaPiedmont

Lottie Lucille Reynolds was born May 7, 1918 near Bishopville, SC. She was incredibly patient and could withstand any hardship for the good of the family. Many would refer to her as the matriarch of the Reynolds family. We, as females, before, during and after pregnancy, nursing, potty training, cooking, cleaning, etc. work tirelessly inside and outside the home to meet the demands of a growing family. Ms. Lottie was no exception, a living example of resilient womanhood during the depression. A time in our great nation when even children pitched in to help the family provide and simply survive trying times. Ms. Lottie was also that selfless young girl, a strong young lady who overcome great physical challenges, as well. She wore a smile and pushed on. She did not allow life's hardships to cripple her (not even literally), overwhelm her or cause her anxiety/depression, etc.. She had every reason to end up there, but her focus always remained on providing for others and in the form of a better life. Women, particularly, mothers in today's world, could benefit from stories like hers. I sum it up this way a lot: When hardships fall on us, whether physical, mental, financial, we need to rise up to life's adversity. We have three choices: Give up, Give in or GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT! Expectant mom Lauren, who married into the family, decided with this labor and birth she would do just that! Lauren married Ms. Lottie's great grandson, Jackson, and together the couple would soon welcome baby number three. You might ask yourself, why would a couple who already had two children come to a birth workshop and hire a doula? Shouldn't they already know what to do? Disappointed from past birth experiences and particularly the first feeling bullied, disparaged and abused by an LDR nurse, who refused to let her push her baby out (despite baby sitting in birth canal) and instead pushed an epidural. She described that experience as, "Every first time moms worst nightmare!" She also had a former unplanned natural birth, despite not having a trained coach or knowing how to work with her body during labor, she contributed her former natural birth directly to an awesome nurse, who reminded her she was almost done! They decided there had to be a better way to birth outside of 50/50 odds to repeat those two experiences. So, they took steps to PLAN a HAPPY "BIRTH" DAY with YourBirthHelper.com. For Jackson & Lauren, their recipe for their third birth, would not the most convenient, easiest route with two other kids at home, but it would be the most logical... they would educate, prepare, apply and give it all they got and so, they did... with magical results! See below for our Recipe for Baby Number Three aka the "Give it all we Got" Birth Plan The couple decided to attend a YourBirthHelper.com Workshop in Charlotte. There they, along with other couples, learned some very valuable techniques for reducing discomfort during contractions. Shown here, basic counter pressure basics and how the coach can protect his or her back, as well. Although, there is no such thing as a painless labor and birth, there are a multitude of proven techniques/ positions that can make drug free labor quite manageable. This was the desire of Jackson and Lauren for their third birth. During their workshop, we discussed a variety of options to increase the odds of birthing successfully instead of feeling out of control or bullied. Note: we use the term "successful birth" when the individual mom has as few medical interventions as possible. In other wards, she is not administered routine interventions often unnecessary for a healthy mom. We teach moms and dads to ask, "Is this medically necessary for me and my baby or not and to acquire informed consent. This is what I like to call, #SymbioticBirth, a perfect harmonious blend of the best of the normality of the labor and birth process, combined with only medically necessary interventions, not ROUTINE interventions performed on the masses. See, when mom is healthy and low risk, she has many options, one important one, to be left alone, to labor free of the bed, free of IV /hep lock, free of drugs... but, with the support of a loving coach, a doula team and supportive medical professionals including: nurses, midwives and doctors. During the workshop, we discussed the many benefits of utilizing a midwife, if healthy and low risk, because they are highly skilled in the natural process. Your body will instinctively kick in natural urges for positions and even the urge to push when drug free, however, your body will also instinctively not use proper positions to progress labor. Your body will want to camp out, often in one position of more comfort to you. Nor, will your body instinctively use proper pushing techniques to effectively make progress and not waste precious energy. This is learned and practiced not instinctive! Instinctive is to keep your pelvic outlet on lock down. The #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam has the pleasure to see some of the best work across the queen city and other cities in multiple states. There is a difference girls, make no mistake about that. The skills you acquire and bring to LDR room, the resources you bring by having a competent doula to support you and, as important, the decision of where and with whom you give birth determines so much. It is imperative you choose a practitioner who will do what is best for you and your body ~ not choose interventions/ positions that's easier for them. Make no mistake, if you desire a happy "birth" day, IT MATTERS WHERE and WITH WHOM YOU BIRTH. There are no re-do's. This is why we brought to Lauren's attention, she had highly skilled midwives in her practice, under the leadership of Tina Hayes, who has successfully brought midwifery into Novant Matthews, the old Presby Matthews, but with a new maternity wing. For Tina Hayes, CNM, of Carmel OBGYN, this was no simple feat. Lauren and Jackson decided since healthy and low risk, to utilize the midwives in their practice for this birth experience. They also chose YourBirthHelper.com to serve them in the area of doula service and 24/7 support during the remainder of her pregnancy. Lauren's body enjoyed torturing her with regular bouts of practice labor runs. Frankly, she was quite put out and over the weeks worth of prodromal labor. After several, " Am I in labor, Is today the day, The contractions are getting longer, stronger, What is my Body doing, What is my Baby doing?... It was made evident to the family, it was simply fate that their baby was born on her great-great-grand mother's birthday and totally meant to be. Here is why... I had helped Lauren interpret and work with her body for several weeks each time the labor would kick in high gear. Lauren would describe intense pain levels, nothing indicative of typical pre- labor, but crazy pains that would double her over and she would describe as feeling as if her baby was trying to come out her back? We discussed reasons for such unusual pain: a slipped disc, pulled muscle, cracked tailbone? She laughed and said, "or baby is trying to break my back... I am going to try to sleep this off." Bless mom's heart, this happened more than once making resting through the night terrible difficult. I suggested a visit to Dr. Kelley Helmendach for an adjustment. I assured Lauren how very unusual and not typical pain levels related to early labor. I suggested trying some hands and knees/ inversion positioning, ice pack, a soak in the tub or trip to triage to see if they could figure out what may have been happening, if something other than related to baby. Lauren wasn't interested in a trip to triage, heck she didn't even want to move. Nope she would just pick a position she could tolerate and again try to sleep it off. We met the next morning to execute encouraging her body to labor by walking some inclines and slow graded hills in the subdivision of a friend. During our walk, once Lauren started to have contractions, I asked her to lean forward and relax into it. It was then I spotted the baby's head, plain as day in her low back, near the sacrum area! It was shocking and so defined. I immediately knew why Lauren felt what she had been describing. Made perfect sense now. I snapped this photo to convince her she really needed that adjustment because baby's don't come out our sacrum. She finally agreed to go despite not being a fan of chiropractic popping noises. Here are a few shots of her pelvic adjustment near term and the look of relief after we got the baby's head aligned and back where it needed to be ~ out of her back. On Friday, May 4th, I was helping a friend with her daughter's wedding reception. I teased Lauren by attempting to bribe her to go into labor and I would bring wedding cake. Although, she really liked the sound of that, the day came and went. Saturday, May 5th, Lauren text me asking if I could give her a rub down before I headed back to Georgia. She had been feeling a bit better after her chiropractic adjustment, but she had also decided nothing was going to alleviate ALL her discomfort, less giving birth and fully evacuating this baby! Sunday morning upon waking I sent Lauren a text that read, "Thank you so much for letting me have one night to recover from wedding work in my own bed!" (I had slept in until 11am- hey baking a wedding cake & setting up an entire reception single handedly for approximately 150 was tiring. I definitely prefer Doula work...lol.) Her reply, "Hehehe I've been getting even more intense painful contractions all day on and off in bouts again. They wrap around and hurt pretty bad, last around a minute, five minutes apart but then, AS USUAL THEY STOP after an hour or so. I also feel pain way down low in my sacrum that takes my breath away. My body is seriously being so unforgiving." I suggested once again she check in with her midwife, that pre-labor/false labor doesn't typically have this sort of pain and discomfort. I was a little concerned baby may have worked itself into a unique head down position again. She wasn't real interested in going and getting checked. When I asked if the back pain was ever present as in back labor, she said no, just hard to breathe and low back hurts like at the peak of contraction. I suggested an inversion position and hands and knees to ease. Lauren asked if she needed to stay in the position during the contraction? Good question. My response, YES! Labor was again far from textbook, but boy when it decided to pick up... well it certainly did! One minute Lauren is texting me, another I am deploying team members to hospital and another baby was on her chest! Jackson would say it happened that quickly and so would my team, but for mom the one who endured each contraction, lets go into a few more details explaining how we ended up here! Later that evening, 10:13pm on May 6th, Lauren shared "...in last hour very intense. Have to have counter pressure and I yell into a pillow.... like pain of 7/8 bad both in front and back, but they have spaced out a lot now... lasting 60-100 seconds... I am sooooo confused by my body, but also in sooo much pain. I tried doing some inversion positioning and the contractions quickly started right back up. " This on again off again labor was driving Lauren completely batty. These bouts had been going on almost a month since the last time I encouraged her to get checked out because she described her contractions as "breaking her back"... bless. Many women find this sort of labor business so annoying, but in the grand scheme of things, you labor a little, you get a break, you labor a little- contractions stop and you get a break... it actually is not a bad way to do business, but definitely frustrating to women. When, of course, does real labor typically happen? Well, good question, lots of text book answers, maybe most common, a good portion of women will start labor close to or after midnight when they finally assume a relaxing state, waking to contractions. The average healthy mom carries her baby 41 weeks and 1 day. Then there is the answer few want to hear, REAL LABOR arrives when we least expect it. So much so, that it is near 11pm, Lauren herself is still texting me, as I am trying to convince her she is in labor. I encouraged her, to at least, have Jackson prepare the car to be ready to head out. I reminded them to give the practice a heads up of when they were planning to head over. I checked with Tina Hayes to see who was on duty. She shared Jessica Grobsmith, CNM was on call. Special thanks to Jessica for catching baby Annabelle!!! We will be sharing more about Jessica and her dedication to #SymbioticBirth in a future "Meet the Midwife" segment on our facebook page @BradleyBirthYourWay real soon. I decided to phone and check in. This time Jackson answered. I inquired about Lauren's demeanor, her contractions, length/strength, etc. of what the last few hours have looked like. From what Jackson shared in terms of length and frequency of contractions, as shown here, I quickly replied, "I do not have a magic 8 ball, however, oddly enough, everything you guys are describing to me sounds like textbook push phase?...." (Crickets-Crickets!) Dad shared well she is yelling into a pillow. I advised her to make a productive noise - not screaming which waste energy. Although, silly Lauren was still trying to convince herself this was just another round of her crazy pre-labor. Next few text (still from Lauren herself): @ 10:47pm Just had another one. Getting really nauseous. Gonna try to get in tub for a bit but thinking we will head in pretty soon probably @10:49pm Also just started getting shakes/chills In speaking with her husband by phone, I shared based on her body's unusual way of doing business, I highly advise you two to head over and get checked out. I said if nothing else, they could even use ultrasound to verify if posterior, at least, and then we could go from there, but I would also not be shocked if she wasn't getting ready to blast a kid out. After listening in to Lauren over the phone during a contraction I said once again, Jackson, unless you want to unexpectedly catch your own baby at home, I would suggest you head over. Besides, if you wait too late, I won't be able to get doula help to you. If I am wrong, well I'll take the blame. At the least, let me send Nancy on to your home? Also, cold cloth to forehead and peppermint oil can help nausea. Chills/ shaking common late labor- tell Lauren slowing her breathing down can help. @10:55pm They agreed. I had Nancy in route to their home and the #CharlotteDoula DreamTeam on call, because I had a feeling there would be a baby quickly and Lauren was simply in denial from all the previous false labor. Literally a minute later this text came in: @10:56pm I think we are going to head in they're coming close - I can't stop shaking @10:58pm Allison headed to hospital and I detoured Nancy to hospital @11:15pm Jackson and Lauren arrived @ Novant Matthews Maternity. Their midwife, Jessica, was not currently at the hospital, but lived close by and triage called her in when they found Lauren was in labor. In fact, not only was Lauren confused at home about false labor or not, she and Jackson may have been even more confused when the triage internal exam revealed she was only 4-5cm dilated... but remember when I said Jackson was describing what sounded like push phase timed contractions? Well turns out, that 4-5cm dilated or not, she was much closer to pushing a baby out than she thought. Good thing they decided to head on in or Jackson would've been catching a baby at home. Remember, couples this is why YourBirthHelper.com teaches YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW YOUR DILATION.... it often doesn't matter and serves to discourage you mentally. Dad can step out with dr/midwife after exam to acquire results. About 30 minutes later, Lauren started to feel as if she had the urge to push. She got on the bed was checked and considered 8-9cm dilated and baby was -1 station and then literally three contractions later Lauren felt the baby significantly move down and announced she felt a ton of pressure. Her body was telling her to push. The midwife checked again and she was completely dilated. The very first actual push, Lauren's water broke and the second contraction the whole baby emerged and out. Sweet relief - Mom has her back back (pun intended) and baby is now in her arms! We welcomed Annabelle Claire Edwards @ 12:18am 7lbs 7oz Some, consider a woman who endures a natural childbirth, as a very pain tolerant strong woman. We know, pain tolerant is so far from true, however, many like Lauren, still choose to endure the pain and discomfort during labor, instead of delaying it, because low intervention -drug free birth is still the safest route of passage for baby into the world. She weathered weeks of on again off again labor completely drug free using good positioning and relaxation techniques, not just to say she did, but to achieve our number one goal: healthy mom-healthy baby! It was quite a challenge to convince her she was in full blown labor, however, they paid attention, listened to the guidance of their Doula team and despite the challenge of giving birth, free of routine interventions, in less than an hour from arrival/ admittance.... far from textbook labor, but spot on for the history book! Lessons from Lottie's life that the family desires her great great grand daughter to know: Lottie was one of 10 children that was raised in downtown Charlotte during the depression. She quit school at the age of 10, to cook for the boarders that lived in the big old house her mother ran to support them after their own father abandoned them. She simply told folks she had a job and that was ok during the depression. She actually was ashamed to say her mother could not afford the books for her children to remain in school. Everyone was in a similar boat during the great depression. Lottie's luck would go from bad to worse to better as was an heiress in the 30’s and 40’s due to a drunk driver running her down while she was crossing the street uptown Charlotte. (Lottie shown here with Jackson's grandmother, Nancy Monteith, current owner of the family business. Lottie passed away May 22, 2013 at the age of 95 yrs old) Lottie remained in a body cast for one year. The family often thought that might have had something to do with her 67 yr marriage to Rommie Purser… he told them that everyone thought that little Reynolds girl was quite a catch due to her inheritance. She was incredibly patient and could withstand any hardship for the good of the family! She started the Reynolds Fence and Guardrail company when she was 63 years old….WHAT was she thinking, you might ask, well certainly not about retirement. Just like the Lottie at age ten, she was still thinking of ways she could provide a better life for her family members. As a side note, that inheritance was the seed money for everything the family has now….it bought the service station that daddy ran profitably before taking on other financial business successes…that inheritance was a whopping 2,500.00! Body cast for a year vs. $2500 not sure anyone would consider that a blessing, but the moral of the story is: Ms. Lottie pressed on to Provide, Protect, Love, Laugh and LIVE AGAIN despite the extreme financial hardship of living through the great depression, forced to work at age 10, a father who abandoned her, being ran down by a drunk driver as a young woman who endured extremely challenging physical ailments not just EXIST but truly LIVE LIFE. Lottie would've been 100 years old the day her great-great-granddaughter was born. If only she was still with us, but something makes us think maybe she is and had a little to do with this interesting happy "birth" day. No doubt, if Baby Annabelle has a few of Lottie's attributes, life will be very glorious for her! Congrats to Mom & Dad for a job well done and enduring this not so simple, FAR FROM TEXTBOOK, LOW INTERVENTION, DRUG FREE BIRTH! Happy 100th in heaven Ms. Lottie! You now share "birth" days with your great- great-granddaughter, Annabelle! There is so much we as women can learn from the late Ms. Lottie. Truly her legacy lives on! #naturalbirth #YourBirthHelper #YourBirthHelpercom #DrugFreeBirth #MidwifeAssistedHospitalBirth #Midwife #womenled #strongwomen #warriorwoman #Charlotte #CarmelOBGYN #Doula #CharlotteDoula #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam #DoulaApprentice #DoulaAssistance #DoulaAssistedBirth #YourBirthHelperLaborWorkshop #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #ThirdLabor #ThirdBaby #SamedayBirth #SymbioticBirth

First things first, Carlie and I first met just a few shorts weeks before she had a baby. She had found herself near her due date and her sister Kelsey (whom I had the pleasure to train a few years back) had suggested she at least attend one of Your Birth Helper's Labor Workshops. In fact, Kelsey now expecting #2 and her husband attended also. The weather was perfect and we had both Labor positioning practice on the deck complimented with natural Vitamin D shining upon us, but also inside taught the girls how to assume a variety of pushing positions and the how to's of timing contractions, what position can help with variations of normal labor. At the end of two hours, her husband Brett was like, "Hey is it too late to hire you to help us?" Then Carlie followed with, I don't think I am in the right place for me to have my wishes supported, can we discuss my options as you help us make PLANS for our baby's birth... to which I said, of course, we got this don't stress. First, take a tour of another hospital and simply see how you feel. Did the tour make you feel more comfortable or less comfortable, did you have your questions properly answered and do the answers better align with your target birth. Does the other hospital/birth place have the amenities you are seeking, does the practice you have your second consult with more accommodating or supportive of your wishes for your birth? I made a few quick notes and upon arriving back home sent a few messages to confirm transfer care options for her. It wasn't long before Brett and Carlie called to share they LOVED Carolinas Medical Center Pineville location and couldn't wait to meet the midwives. This may have been the second best decision she made, the first was listening to her sister and attending the workshop...lol. And, the couple quickly realized just a few short weeks later, good thing they did not delay their decision making because unfortunately Carlie found herself in a preeclampsic scenario and a medically necessary induction was imminent . Carlie was to report at 12 midnight to admit for induction prep. Later that morning, I checked in to see how things were going. Carlie asked if I would go ahead and make my way to Charlotte from Athens, Ga to be available if things picked up quickly. You see we had no idea what to expect because she actually had a bout of premature labor a few weeks earlier which made the induction a little more unpredictable. I packed up my things, cleared my schedule and headed to NC. Upon arriving, I stopped by the hospital to get an update on how things were progressing. Definitely, still in early labor phase, still wearing a smile and capable of carrying on conversation. Carlie had the support of her husband, Brett and her mother present. I reminded her to give her body credit for every contraction and just focus on relaxing and good positioning. Meanwhile, I headed down the street to Amelie's bakery to get some computer work done and have a lovely coffee with Ms. Nancy before she headed into work for her shift. She was so excited that at least the stars had aligned for her to be at work during Carlie's induction. I mean if you have to be induced, how perfect Nancy Cook goes on duty 7pm to 7am. I can hear Carlie now, "I want Nancy to be my nurse PRETTY PLEASE!" Sarah, YBH Doula Apprentice checked in on the couple shortly before 6pm. Sarah reported back, definitely still obvious early labor, that Carlie was still giddy and smiling no trouble walking or talking through her contractions. That was, until they inserted the Cooks Device. To better explain, the cervix needs to be pliable and open enough to insert the device but typically not beyond 3cm to be considered a candidate for use. The first of two balloons is inflated on the uterine side of cervix and the second is then inflated in the vaginal side of the cervix helps stimulate labor by gradually dilating the cervix. It typically is known to fall out around 4cm dilated. Keep in mind, if an early induction (prior to due date) is taking place, there is most likely not much going on downstairs. Carlie had chose the foley catheter and cytotec as a means to stay mobile, prep her cervix and hopefully kick labor in while avoid pitocin and other interventions such as epidura which would take away her ability to work with her body and challenge her during late labor/ push phase. Carlie managed to hold it together despite the balloons trying to force her cervix apart. She experienced a very painful sensation as you can imagine, but managed to get calmed down shortly after. "The insertion of the device and the inflation of the balloons caused Carlie an extreme amount of pain, it was clearly difficult for her to recover after." Music seemed to work best to help Carlie get back into a relaxed state to allow her labor to progress. Sarah Neri Shortly after, the contractions began to intensify. Brett had retrieved some dinner and Mom decided probably her last chance to eat before contractions made eating unlikely. She got back to focusing on her relaxation around 9pm and added a peanut ball while resting. Around 10pm she decided to utilize the bath to prepare for the evening and focus on letting go and letting her uterus do its work. Later they walked, did squats and changed positions frequently. Carlie had the pleasure of being in the hospital one of the few days Nancy Cook was on the schedule. I, Nancy, had the pleasure to be Carlie and Brett's nurse for the night 7mp to 7am. It was a pleasure to assist the couple the second evening of their medically necessary induction. The couple was: -Calm -Focused -Always willing to move, turn, walk, dance, squat, bathe, use hands and knees, use the peanut ball Basically, Carlie was willing to try anything. Her biggest obstacles were the hip pain and being tired. I shared with her last night that she drank over a gallon! That’s before even pushing. She had crackers, popsicles, juice, a healthy salmon and potato dinner and bites of protein bars all through labor! It was especially important with preeclampsia as her admission diagnosis, not to be overloaded with IV fluids. We saved those for the last few hours when baby showed off a little. Hubby was always, I mean always putting her needs first. They were a great synchronized team! A few times she said quietly, "I can’t do this." When that doubt set in, we would just move or change positions. We reminded her to keep control of her breathing! Their determination in spite of exhaustion, was evident, Having the cooks catheter inserted at 1 cm ( she never knew the number) wasn’t fun. Nancy Cook Carlie's Induction Timeline / Labor Notes: We started induction on Friday, April 6th at 12 am with Cytotec, I had 5 doses. Cooks balloon inserted around 6:30 pm Friday (kept it in for the next 12 hours). Between 4-6am Carlie started losing control of her breathing and as she put it losing herself. Prior to doula support, she allowed Brett and her mom time to doze off and rest a little. She wanted them to sleep as long as possible and this was her time to labor independently. Her family had remained with her all night catering to her every need. In her mind, (because she had been told on average the device falls out around 4cm dilated) her mind began to work on defeating her. This is a perfect example of why we tell women you DON'T NEED TO KNOW YOUR DILATION NUMBER. In her mind she was telling herself it hasn't fallen out OMG I am Not even 4CM DILATED there is NO WAY I CAN DO THIS... at this point she is doing the math in her head and thinking this cooks device has already been in for twelve hours. At 6am Carlie looked at her mom and said, "What do you think they will do now?" Neither her mom or Brett knew how close she was to ordering an epidural, she said she felt as if I was at the end of my rope and couldn't take much more. At 6:30am the Cooks Device was removed. Carlie shared, "I could tell by the look on the Doctor's face that she was surprised." She immediately responded with, "I have to know the number"... the reply was a breath of fresh air, I can't believe this hasn't fallen out yet bc you are 7cm! At this point, the decision was made to opt for an amniotomy to hopefully avoid pitocin use and get this baby here! Carlie cried tears of Relief and JOY! It was exactly what she needed to hear to remain epidural free. Now here is the irony... we do a lot of hard work from 7cm to complete and that is the typical time most women ask for medication. But, NO, not Carlie she had Brett text me to come and upon my arrival as Doula #3 tag teaming in upon my arrival I found this beautiful site! Nancy smiling, Dad tired but still smiling and Carlie resting with oxygen. Not sure of the exact time frame, but it appeared there was some varations of normal heart tones and Carlie blood pressure had spiked so she was lying on her left side to get her blood pressure down. Being in the bed she found the least helpful for pain management. It made her so much more uncomfortable. She literally said before I arrived she literally wanted to JUMP out of the bed her levels of discomfort intensified while lying down. This is when she asked for Nitrous Oxide as shown above Dad held the mask to her face during a contraction and then it was removed after. Carlie knew the gas would NOT take away the pain of the contraction, however, she said it did help her not fight the baby moving down. As the gas seemed to make it easier for her to relax at peak of the contraction. As she put it, "It made me not care about the pain just while I was breathing it, the effects fade so quickly after the mask is removed. During the time she had the nitrous she was able to slightly doze in between the contractions and she definitely needed some kind of rest. We would take even a few seconds or minutes of dozing off. When she had completed her time on the nitrous oxide it was removed and she shared, "Thats when Pam put me to work!" Things that Carlie found most helpful to avoid epidural: Sitting on Toilet with dad in front of her Getting in the TUB (she called it medicine!) lol Her husband giving her positive feedback (every few minutes!) Having Cold Wash cloth to her face Essential Oils to both relax and breathe during push phase Relaxing music, meditation and hypnotherapy ~The Couple Labored for 37 hours total Dad's ten adjectives to describe Labor: Intense! Its A Marathon for sure! Emotional! Tiresome! It takes Endurance! Exciting! Stressful! Bonding experience between the couple! Amazing! Miracle! The most important tip for other Coaches that I took away from our YourBirthHelper Labor Workshop: Change Positions every 30m (if mom is not sleeping). Frequent position changes and my physically holding her up using the blanket both protected my back and allowed her the ability to sink down into her contractions to finish off the cervix and that was key to our success. If Carlie had remained in the bed 7cm and beyond, she never would've made it without an epidural. Brett Helms I could've never gotten through it with out my husband, Brett. He stayed by me the entire time, putting cold cloths on my face, heat packs on my legs and hips and when using nitrous he helped hold the mask for me. He was constantly encouraging me telling me how great I was doing. Between Brett and my mom, they kept me comfortable by heating and reheating towels/ rice heat packs constantly for those hard 18 hours of labor. Carlie My mom, Your Birth Helper team, my nurses and my midwife were fantastic! Encouraging me throughout, offering me food and drink the entire time, even between contractions, assisting me with positioning, breath control/ deep abdominal breathing, relaxation techniques to progress labor and even reminding me to empty my bladder. The only thing I couldn't quite get the hang of was not tensing up my face during pushing contractions. I knew I needed to relax my face and push out my bottom, but just found it hard to do it. Also, the use of a hand held mirror at the end suggested by my Doula Pam, was a big help seeing exactly where I needed to direct my energy and occasionally being able to open my eyes and see when I was pushing correctly. I never would've thought that would've been so helpful. I couldn't have had a happier happy "BIRTH" day and induction. It is true what Pam says, you really can have unexpected situations and with knowledge, the right medical professionals, the right birth place, with a trained coach, Doula assistance long before your labor begins to help guide you and navigate, you can experience JOY! The best thing I did was transfer care to CMC Pineville. Pam describes the labor marathon as the "John 16:21 journey" to clients who are believers, And, she uses the term #SymbioticBirth to describe the best of the medical world/ medically necessary interventions combined with the best of the normality in birthing. The blending of two mindsets working in harmony to support my birth wishes. For that, I am so grateful. Carlie Helms Total push phase was around 1.5 hours Welcome to the world Mr. Maverick Brett! If you turn out to be half the labor coach as your father, your future laboring wife one day will be in real good hands! It was our utmost pleasure to assist The Helms family! Congrats Mom and Dad on your John 16:21 Journey - may the life of your little one bless you and your marriage in immeasurable ways! Special thanks to the entire CMC Pineville LDR staff, Piedmont OBGYN and their wonderful care and especially Tina Moreno, CNM for her amazing work! More specifically: First Baby - yet NO tear = Awesome Perineum Support!!! As always, I remain super proud of my Your Birth Helper teamwork to best serve our clients. Congrats also to Lena May for hosting Carlie & Brett's Labor Workshop and for completing her first Labor & Birth from the other side of the table! #PrematureLabor #DoulaApprentice #OvercomingInductionnaturally #Birthwithoutanepidural #hospitalinduction #MidwifeAssistedHospitalBirth #Midwife #Doula #DoulaAssistedBirth #DoulaAssistance #YourBirthHelpercom #YourBirthHelper #SymbioticBirth #PitocinFreeInduction

Several months back, I had the pleasure of meeting Alisha at the Baby Expo event at Reblossom in Athens, Ga. I struck up a conversation when she came down the isle very pregnant and wearing one child with another little one walking along side. It was obvious to me she was a strong mama who wouldn't be held down and knew what she wanted. Alisha shared, "This time, I want the opportunity to choose labor and I sought out a doctor who would agree to let me try." I said, "Good for you! Many have no idea that skipping labor and going straight into surgery denies baby meaningful stimulation that preps baby for the best start to life." We instantly bonded. Her smile was infectious! We ended our conversation that day with a fun selfie, after she shared she would be attempting to VBAC after two prior c-sections. Her previous OBGYN had convinced her to skip labor and simply schedule a c-section at 39 weeks. The second time, he convinced her to skip labor again and schedule surgery at 42 weeks bc she had no signs of labor. The catch 22 for most VBAC scenarios (vaginal birth after caesarean surgery) is the doctor typically will not induce a VBAC. Therefore, you can see real quick how women feel defeated from the old concept, "Once a c-section, always a c-section" because that is often how it plays out. If you can't get yourself into labor within their time frame back in surgery you go. I, too, experienced lack of support and disparaging comments from my former OBGYN and I rose above it. I made good decisions and now my team and I are birth advocates for all couples, despite their choice to utilize pain management or not but particularly for clients who desire to labor and birth free of routine interventions or drugs unless medically necessary. I shared with Alisha that Dr. Tate had caught both my girls back in 1990 and 1992. I elaborated that I started out with an OBGYN practice in Snellville, Ga. They were trying to force me to induce at 40 weeks, but I was smart enough after my twelve week Bradley Method® birth training to stand my ground. If mom and baby are okay, what is the problem? Just being overdue based on an estimated due date is NOT a medical reason for induction. Even when my doctor pressed to bully me into induction or I quote, "Go find you another doctor!" I replied boldly, "No problem, where do I get my refund check?" I was young 21 yrs old, married my high school sweetheart and planned both my children, but I could've easily fallen into the category of "FAILURE TO PROGRESS" c-section, had I not invested into birth training. The knowledge and education of informed consent empowered me and so I took my out of pocket money from that practice at nine months pregnant and paid it to Dr. Tate (who agreed to not mention the word, induction). It is important to cooperate with your birth team and allow them to explain why they prefer a certain way of doing business, however, we do not always have to agree with them. WE STILL HAVE A VOICE. If there is no immediate danger or emergency, YOU STILL HAVE OPTIONS. One of the biggest issues we face today is expectant COUPLES ARE NOT CHOOSING CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION and unfortunately that one decision often lands them in the "I didn't know I had a choice" box. And, worse in addition to not knowing better the unknowing couple also gets the bill, all of it. Regardless of whether you understood what or why you experienced whatever intervention, procedure, surgery, etc. The irony, people research their next cell phone or tablet, their next gadget or car, often in great detail, yet when it comes to their most prize possession, their own child, people seem to decide real quickly childbirth education doesn't fit their busy schedules so they don't make time. Also, they either don't know what a doula is or does or that hiring a doula doesn't really fit into their budget or even care to research where they birth or with whom, as important at all. Yet, couples GET THE BILL at the end, Mothers refer to their birth as traumatizing and on top of it all they often experience a much more challenging nursing relationship, recovery time and even postpartum depression. In addition, once you experience a typical hospital induction, medical vaginal birth or c-section, your out of pocket costs FAR EXCEED on average what you would have spent in adequately preparing and even utilizing prenatal consulting, childbirth education, labor assistance, lactation support, etc.. Mind blowing! Alisha would tell you the opposite. That it is important and valuable. That education is power. She would impress upon you knowledge matters, informed consent, where you birth and with whom matters and not just a little, but big time, because even in the event of a bad outcome, you are left to recover on your own, take care of and raise your own child and get the bill. Alisha's Birth Journal for baby #3 reads: Being able to experience labor without pain medicine was such a great experience! While many people desire "healing from unscheduled c-sections" by simple scheduling a subsequent surgery, it was the opposite for me. Having an OBGYN like Dr. Joseph Tate who allowed me the opportunity to labor, to attempt a vaginal birth and even encourage me to try rather than immediately scheduling another simply because of estimated baby weight and my history of surgery meant the world to me! Though I was sad I did not get the vaginal birth I had hoped for, this c-section experience was so much better in so many ways than my previous two and allowed my baby to still come into the world safely and much stronger because I chose to labor. Nothing is better than that! Induction vs. Scheduled surgery ~ Alisha's Recorded Timeline of Events: Monday, April 2, 2018 (41 weeks and 3 days): Non stress Test / Internal Exam (cervix thick, 1cm dilated, -3 station Hike ALL THE WAY up Stone Mountain, GA wearing her 2nd child. Then hikes all the way down in an attempt to bring on labor. Lost mucous plug late same night. Tuesday, April 3, 2018 (41 weeks 4 days): Listened to relaxing music to go to sleep- per my Doula Wednesday, April 4, 2018 (41 weeks 5 days): Spent the day with my Doula Pam trying interesting foods at Taqueria Tsunami, hiking up hills @ M2b Farm and ending my day with a relaxation session/ pressure point work to bring on labor. Left having contractions. Thursday, April 5, 2018 (41 weeks 6 days) Spent the day shopping at my favorite places and relaxing with the family in hopes that "not trying" to be in labor would take my mind off things. Friday, April 6, 2018 (42 weeks) Receive a call from Emory to arrive around 8pm / start with NST in triage We pack up, stop for food on the way (Outback my favorite blue cheese wedge salad, cheesy bites and my favorite potato soup). Around 6 p.m. entered triage and began the questioning process. Change into hospital gown/ grippy socks and answer more questions. Hooked me up to the EFM (monitor) for the initial strip to get a base line of baby's heart rate. Contractions had commenced and were being picked up by the monitor despite not having began the induction process yet. An influx of women arriving in active labor that a room for induction still unavailable. Met the student Doctor, Parks. IV was placed to speed up the process while still in triage waiting on a room. Saturday, April 7, 2018 (42 weeks 1 day) After midnight made a pallet and slept on the floor in triage. Enjoyed my soup, salad around 2:30 a.m., removed from monitors. Slept till around 5:30 a.m, five more women enter and bed still unavailable, monitors re-attached for 30 minutes. 6:30 a.m. off monitor on birth ball 8:00 a.m. Foley Bulb inserted 9:00 a.m. first round of antibiotics started (Group B positive) Dr. Tate reminds nurse of cold induction method. Only raising pitocin 1 every 45 minutes and holding there for 2 hours. Then raising to 2 every 45 minutes and holding to re-evaluate. 1:30 p.m. Dr. Tate comes in to check progress and the foley bulb is out. 4-5cm dilated, 50% effaced. Pitocin is being held at 4 until 3 p.m. 2:10 p.m. Nurse shares Alisha is in the sweet spot with contractions coming every 2-5 minute so pitocin is being held. 3:15 p.m. First sign of bloody show (positive changes in cervix happening). 7:42 p.m. Up to 8 ml of Pitocin, cervical check 5-6cm 70% effaced, starting to become more uncomfortable. 8:27 p.m. Nurse informs Dr. is coming to discuss internal monitor being placed to monitor baby's heart rate variables. Pitocin at 10. 9:31 p.m. Amniotomy (bag of waters broken) Internal Monitor placed. Since Pam was already in Charlotte for a mom who went early, Nikki Reeves, YBH Doula Apprentice was in route and would collaborate to assist under Pam's instruction. 10:42 p.m. Pitocin is turned down to 6 11:00 p.m. 6-7cm dilated, 70%, -2 station Midnight: Ultrasound to check baby's position, baby is posterior presentation. Sunday, April 8, 2018 (42 weeks 2 days) Nikki (present) and Pam (consulting) guide me through multiple positions to try to get baby to move down. - Inverted all fours - Raising Bed pillows on top leaning over -Sifting with rebozo (Matt her husband on bed) - Hip Sways -8th grade dance -Sitting on toilet with Matt in front leaning into him -Squats -Birth Ball exercises -Penny Simpkins -Sitting in Recliner soles of feet together/ Namaste 2 a.m. No cervical change, baby's head starting to mold, elevated heart rate for baby several hours now saline has lost its effectiveness to eliminate baby's tachycardia. Dr. Tate explains options and advises he believes its time to get the baby out safely to avoid emergency surgery. He did advise the final decision was up to Alisha & Matt of whether to continue or make decision to move forward with c-section. After a few moments of crying to mourn the loss of her vaginal birth she had hoped for, Doula Apprentice Nikki politely asked Dr. Tate to come back in to re-explain how he arrived at this decision and protocol to follow. Once again they agreed their ultimate priority would be to avoid an emergency c-section. Alisha decided to opt for the spinal block for her anesthesia and the anesthesiologist was delightfully surprised at how easily she could assume the position. Alisha explained in her previous two surgeries they rolled her into the position like a sack of potatoes and how nice it was to be asked to assume the position all by herself. She also noticed that only one arm had been strapped down and pointed that out to the nurse who advised that wasn't necessary and freed her left arm instead. Alisha was pleasantly surprised when she mentioned she was cold they added a drape over her chest that pumped warm air in through a tube. A few minutes later her husband, Matt was brought in and encouraged to get some photographs of the birth. Every time Alisha felt tugging her excitement of meeting her daughter grew. Dr. Tate joked that since this was her 3rd c-section she could probably do it herself at this point. Alisha found comfort in being included in the conversation rather than ignored while a surgical team discussed their current events and their own lives as she experienced in her two previous c-sections with her former OBGYN. She found the experience to be so much more pleasant indicative of a proper happy "birth" day despite repeat surgery. A few more tugs and the medical team advised it was time to meet her baby. Matt stood up with his camera and little Miss Astrid Josephine Berkland was born at 3:17 a.m. After hearing baby's first cries, moms tears weren't far behind. Alisha asked if she had hair and what it looks like? Dad continued to capture the precious first moments of her new life outside the womb. Alisha inquires of her apgar scores and is told 8 and 9 and baby was already smacking her lips, which excited mom that she was already signaling she would nurse. To further evaluate her elevated heart rate she was taken to the nursery to ensure everything was okay. Matt accompanied baby Astrid as Dr. Tate and his assistant resident doctor put Alisha back together again. When the curtain came back down, Alisha was the one doing the joking as she laughed and asked, "Did you two make me all pretty? And, how does my abs look?" She had experienced some separation last pregnancy. The resident replied, "They look beautiful" and Dr. Tate added, "Well, you do still have some work to do." Alisha laughed. Once she was ready to head to recovery and observation, Dr. Tate advised the tubing attached was called a Q-ball with pain relieving medicine and not a drain tube. Welcome to the world Miss Astrid, no doubt you are loved! Special thanks to Doula Apprentice, Nikki Reeves. She was instrumental in assisting the couple through late labor positioning, progressing and empowering Alisha to run her labor marathon making the decisions best for her and her baby by utilizing only medically necessary interventions or what we like to call, #SymbioticBirth. Our goal, as Your Birth Helper Doula/ Labor Assistants, is to help our couples PLAN, TRAIN, APPLY & EXECUTE what they have learned TO HAVE A HAPPY "BIRTH" DAY no matter how their baby enters the world. Your Birth Helper offers scholarships each year for 4-6 couples desiring Doula assistance in the Athens, Ga and surrounding counties who can not otherwise afford help or do not have someone to support them during labor & birth. Couples must have either a financial need for free / reduced services or meet other criteria in exchange for training opportunities for new team members. Email Pam @ YourBirthHelper@gmail.com for more details on one day workshops, 12 week traditional birth prep in The Bradley Method®, doula services or information on applying for our Doula scholarships or Doula Training Candidate Program. Each YBH Doula Contract comes standard with Free Labor and Birth Photography. The photos in this birth story compliments of the awesome Nikki Reeves. #MedicallyNecessaryCsection #birthfamily #OBGYNDelivery #studentdoctor #EmoryMidtown #posteriorheadpresentation #cesarean #vba2cattempt #SymbioticBirth #birthwithoutfear #athensbirthfamily

What did you do on resurrection Sunday? For many, the spring season is often symbolized with an Easter Lily, but this year, we were blessed to witness the natural childbirth of beautiful, Miss Alivia Rose. Labor began early, no doubt helped along by the full moon Saturday, March 31st, 2018 and Easter was right around the corner. Her basket would be full but not with eggs! Fortunately, there was plenty of family in town to oversee their son while she worked. A few days earlier, Trece had shared she was not happy about the thought of labor during the full moon, because they had a huge Easter dinner planned with extended family coming over. I replied, "well guess what, that is exactly when you should expect a baby then because they love to be unpredictable and crash plans!" And, so... she did! The Easter celebration was delayed. It began shortly after birth, in a different location and worse, everyone arrived hungry, because the cooks were at the hospital...lol. Now, don't get me wrong, we don't get to just make a wish, blow out the candles, birth a baby and someone begin singing Happy "BIRTH" day. No, first WE WORK! Make no mistake about it. It is called a Labor Marathon for a reason. There is, nor will there ever be, a "PAIN-FREE" labor and birth. You see this is where many go wrong. Their perspective is off. They think if they just skip labor and have a c-section or insist on their epidural as soon as possible they can avoid the pain all together. FALSE! They haven't considered all sides. At some point, mom will be uncomfortable, in pain, etc. either before meds, after meds (as many don't get the relief they were seeking or worse it doesn't work at all or stops working), after surgery for six long weeks, or simply DURING LABOR. Now, also one must consider wisely the use of long term pain management, also leads to many other interventions, such as, use of pitocin, restricted position, constant external fetal monitoring, internal monitor, increased likelihood of surgery, routine antibiotics, catheter, etc. etc... With preparation, training, education, skills for mom and dad, doula support, etc. you have a choice of which way to do business, but make no mistake at some point you WILL experience unpleasantries. Reality bites, don't shoot the messenger, but let's keep it REAL! The reality remains, "WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPERIENCE YOUR PAIN?" It's a woman's right to choose and still many women choose to labor, "YES, IT'S THEIR CHOICE TO LABOR & BIRTH NATURALLY." Birth itself, hasn't changed in thousands of years. However, what you experience, what you get billed for certainly seems to compound every year and yet, many women refer to their medicated hospital birth after all these amazing interventions (which are supposed to "SPARE THEM PAIN AND SUFFERING") in one simple sad word: "TRAUMATIZING!" Allow me to explain why and how Trece, rocked her contractions, one at a time, with the help of her supportive husband coach, her mother, her amazing natural birth supportive nurse, Tasha and her Your Birth Helper doula team. Let the Contractions Commence! The reason why most women will go into labor in the wee hours of the night is they finally get into a relaxed state. The body desires relaxation to progress. All of nature finds a way to get comfy, pull away from all the other animals, have a quiet, dark environment and work unencumbered. (For some reason, at CMC NE, there was no such thing as a dark room for mom to work, because the huge window did not have shades you could pull to block out the sunshine). Someone, didn't think that through. All of nature desires a dark quiet place. We will give them credit for the pretty fountain out front. We found a little less light to work in the bathroom. At least, you could shut the door and turn the bathroom light off. However, there were NO tubs, only a shower. Girls, make sure when you do your birth place tour, if such things are important to you, ask and not just if they have any, but how many rooms have this option. Some locations will have a few tubs, some all rooms have tub/shower combo available. Look for hand rails in hallway. Use the location amenities to stay out of bed as much as possible. Keep hip flexors nice and loose and use the water to totally relax and ease pain. Sadly, for many, depending on where (chosen birth place) and with whom (what practice or birth professional) they decide to hire, this can be quite a challenge. There is nothing worse that being led to believe during pregnancy your birth professionals will support your birth plan, only to find on the day of labor, this is far from the truth, as Trece and Wesley realized only a few hours after admitting. Their female OBGYN did not understand why anyone would care how they get the baby out. In fact, when she tried to tell dad that his wife could I quote, "Have an epidural and probably have a baby just shortly after and besides we all get to the same place so, who cares how we get there?" Even worse, she proceeded to tell dad, "Her baby is most likely posterior and you know what happens to OP babies, they get cut out because they can't do a back flip into the birth canal!" Let the personal opinions and BULLYING BEGIN... it is not very attractive to see any doctor choose to demand their own way, but particularly disturbing for a female OBGYN. A woman who has the same body parts, who has been a laboring woman herself and of all people should understand how crushing her words and disturbing negative attitude could be. Thankfully, for Trece, this conversation took place outside. Dad did his job, protected mom and asked the doctor to NOT SAY THE INTERNAL RESULTS OUT LOUD. Trece was smart and didn't want to focus on just a number. Lots of things have to happen to get a baby out besides just dilation. Now, is it possible a baby could get stuck, yes. More common with an OP presentation, but is it likely, no. We BIRTH POSTERIOR BABIES ALL THE TIME, not only out the vagina, but also DRUG FREE! Ironically, Trece was not even having back labor contractions. Note: a good doctor or midwife can put their hands on the outside of moms abdomen (without an ultrasound) and tell you what position the baby is most likely in. No, this doctor was simply aggravated that Trece wanted to try to labor and birth drug free, because "SHE DIDN'T GET IT!" Well guess what, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT, TO SUPPORT YOUR CLIENT AND ENCOURAGE HER IN HER GOALS." It's called kindness and patience and compassion. Birth professionals, even if you don't get it, YOU ARE GETTING PAID! We are going to do this, with or without your help and encouragement. We helped the couple prepare and we are skillfully executing her plans. If we do it with you, the client will be singing your praises after the baby is born and if we do it without you... well, we will be saying it was disappointing or maybe you had a bad day, were sleepy, tired, lost your basic manners, didn't want to be at work, etc.. My mom taught me manners can go a long way. And, I am a firm believer, manners will often get you further in life than any higher education. Look at the bright side, it doesn't create any more work for a doctor or nurse. In fact, it's less work, we didn't ask her to do anything before push phase, just let us work without unnecessary interventions. Work, work through each contraction, minus the doctor's support, is exactly what we continued to do. Trece and Wes did agree to the amniotomy, because it was clear their doctor would keep pushing for pitocin, if we did not compromise and agree to some sort of intervention, (despite no medical reason at that time to augment labor). Her OBGYN even referred to her marathon as a long labor... I was in shock, she hadn't even been in active labor five to six hours at this point. Hmmm, ACOG doesn't even consider a woman in active labor until 6cm dilated, so, was this statement possibly being based off of Trece being 5cm dilated for several weeks prior to active labor. Well, ladies, had Trece not had an internal exam prior to real labor beginning, would six hours constitute a long labor? If so, how many of you ladies would take that so called long labor any day of the week? LOL, most of us labor for days to birth a baby vaginally. #SymbioticBirth is a movement created by Your Birth Helper to be the liaison between medically necessary interventions and the natural process. There is no reason the two can't work well together. Not every woman desires pain management and that should be acceptable to. After all, if we respect a woman's right to utilize pain management options in the first place, birth professionals should also respect, support and encourage a woman's right to go drug free, as nature intended and all of nature still birth to this day! We want to bless the doctors and nurses and we attend to not only assist our clients with their wishes, we help the nurse, we stay proactive keeping couples active/moving, using positioning to progress labor and we have a strong desire to help couples positively communicate with their birth team. The goal for us is to encourage couples to work WITH THE MEDICAL STAFF not against them. Further to ask the right questions, create an atmosphere of cooperation and guide couples in asking the questions to fully acquire informed consent and take full responsibility for their decision making. Doctors in particular, and nursing staff, should appreciate this! However, everyone should remember, to fully accept responsibility, they need to know what they are agreeing to, why, and what their other options are when medical issues/ complications present. Jumping Hurdles: The doctor was very frank the water needed to be broken or pitocin needed to commence, because she was not progressing. Now, understand this is a valid concern when women show up to the hospital too soon vs. too late. If you are on their watch, you have a repeat internal exam and your cervix has not increased in dilation, this is what you set yourself up for. There is more to progressing than just dilation alone. In fact, we now educate women this way, in the natural realm of doing business, "We don't care what your cervix says. The cervix will do whatever it wants when it wants." But, sadly when on their watch "failure to progress" is almost always based on an unchanging cervix that has "failed to dilate"... If this is called a doctor, who supports Mom's birth plan, then I'd hate to meet the doctor that doesn't! We worked alone with the help of a their LDR nurse, Tasha who helped put positive energy back into the room when the OBGYN left behind her negativity. I am afraid some doctors forget, expectant parents are PAYING THEM for a service. Expectant mothers are NOT SICK or DYING, waiting for you to SAVE THEM, they just want you to catch their baby, do some perineal massage and help protect their bottom. And, when MOM is OKAY and BABY is OKAY, what is the problem? Why under normal circumstances can't you bring yourself to just support moms choices and perform the service she is paying you to do with a smile? We don't get re-do's. We have one shot at our baby's birth. Its a one day event, never to be repeated how it goes down matters! You see, YourBirthHelper has come to realize over the years, there is way more to it than someone speaking the words, "Of course, we will support your birth plan." In fact, let me play devils advocate for a moment. In the average doctor's defense, they know several things: Few will prepare adequately to achieve their own birth plan, first of all. Second of all, it is hard for doctors to keep a straight face or not out-loud eye roll, when moms say my plan is to have a natural birth, because 9 out of 10 women will ask or beg for their epidural at some point. Sad statistics, but fairly accurate I am afraid. So, we get why some doctors are not buying into moms birth plan in advance, but these same doctors need to know some women WILL WORK HARD IN ADVANCE OF LABOR, some women WILL TAKE QUALITY CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION, some women WILL TRAIN THEIR BODIES TO GIVE BIRTH, some women WILL HAVE A TRAINED COACH and some women WILL HIRE A DOULA WHO KNOWS HOW TO HELP THEM THROUGH OBSTACLES to birth EPIDURAL FREE! That choice for the select smart few is to prepare for their baby for 9 months. To stay healthy, to stay low risk, to build stamina, to learn how to work with their body during labor instead of working against it. It is not just words on a piece of paper sprinkled with fairy dust. We not only cross our fingers we uncross our legs. We practice productive positions, we teach the best ways to push a baby out. And, the smart ones like Trece and Wes, see the benefits of that process long before their labor begins. We understand why doctors feel this way, but we would ask politely please don't stereotype all of us into that category of "wait till 7cm she will be begging for her epidural!" In fact, the vast majority of YourBirthHelper students/ clients NEVER ASK for an EPIDURAL, nor do most desire one. They do, however, understand why they should not be opposed to medical interventions that could potentially keep them on track to reach their goals. There can be some obstacles we call, "variations of normal" and sometimes "complications" present. If so, no panic, we tackle one at a time. Sometimes, like Trece they do call upon a higher power to help them and well... thats perfectly alright with us! I had Trece supported in a squat and asked her, "Would you like us to pray over your labor and birth?" The next thing I know, she is in full blown worship and Trece herself proceeds to say a beautiful prayer for safety and favor. It was very moving indeed. Trece and her husband attended training with Your Birth Helper and came to understand how the natural process works and they learned to allow their uterus to work without interfering. They listen to instructions and they applied what they learned to experience THEIR BIRTH - THEIR WAY! We just helped navigate them through accomplishing their birthing goals. Mom was a complete rockstar while facing a typical first time labor despite being pregnant for the second time (since baby number one was born at 31 weeks of gestation the first time around). So, technically this was her first full term baby. She worked very hard to maintain her daily good nutrition, stay out of her head, increase her confidence level, make good decisions, maintain her health and stay fit for labor. She not only demonstrated during hard labor the perfect example of "how to use Relaxation as a means to progress labor" and how the support of her Husband Coach, Mother and YourBirthHelper Doula services complimented her My BIRTH ~ My WAY wishes! Mom learned, as a paying consumer, she had options in birthing, and after birth, she gets the bill. Why is it when it comes to medical services, people forget they are paying for a service? Trece did not desire a medicated labor or birth. Her main goal (quite the opposite of today's U.S. norm), an unmedicated, low intervention hospital birth. Her plan was to train her body to "GIVE BIRTH" and use proven relaxation techniques and positions that progress labor naturally to avoid having her baby "DELIVERED from her". When properly applied and executed, such specific training allows women the opportunity to naturally progress labor. Sounds crazy to many, but contrary to preparing and training your body for birth, many simply buy their relaxation in the form of an epidural, coupled by artificial means to augment labor, such as pitocin along with multiple other interventions that either happen simultaneously or as a pre-req to the epidural such as heparin lock/ IV, 2 bags of fluid, constant fetal monitoring and maybe worse possible fetal distress, possibly catheter, stirrups, vacuum extractor and more risk of tearing during to lack of mobility for mom. Not Trece! Not this time! She was focusing on one contraction at a time. Relaxing the right muscles, allowing the uterus to work its magic. The second time around, this smart couple signed up for one of Your Birth Helper birthing workshops to help them prepare for the marathon that they were going to be facing this time around. Trece connected with the local #BirthFamily to empower herself to make decisions, plan and prepare for her baby's birth and she did it! Boy did it pay off big! Think drug free~ low intervention BIRTH doesn't exist anymore, better think again! Let us help you plan for your happy "BIRTH" day! With the help of the YourBirthHelper.com team, like Wes and Trece you will realize... Congrats to the new family and welcome to the best darn birth family in Charlotte little Miss Alivia Rose!!!!!! Trece and Wesley it was an absolute pleasure to help you not only PLAN your happy "birth" day, but also execute it brilliantly! #OneProudDoula #OneProudChildbirthEducator #NotJustADoula #NotJustAChildbirthClass #BirthFamily #CharlotteBirthFamily #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam #Doula #DoulaLife #DoulaApprentice #naturalbirth #drugfreebirth #hospitalbirth #YourBirthHelperWorkshop #EasterBaby #DoulaApprentice #naturalbirth #DoulaAssistedBirth #hospitalbirth #SymbioticBirth #CharlotteBirthFamily #Charlotte #YourBirthHelpercom #YourBirthHelper

The universe has away of often finding the uterus in the wee hours of the morning and kicking things into high gear just as soon as the expectant mom lies down, falls off to sleep and gets relaxed. Sadly, for most women who don’t go to bed after the Andy Griffith show, this means they have had only a few hours of rest before labor commences. As in the birth story of Lora and Ty Robbins of Charlotte. Lora's first labor was extremely long and intense. A day's worth of hard contractions and sadly she was nothing dilated. In fact, her cervix was still posterior, meaning her doctor couldn't even reach it. Much more labor had to be done to reach 10cm and the best two things they did the first time was not allow Lora to hear the results from that initial triage exam (she said later had she had known she was nothing dilated she surely would've yelled for that epidural) but instead because she was put back in the car by her husband to return home to work and labor longer in moms relaxing environment Lora knew simply she was not yet 6cm dilated. She achieved her completely drug free natural birth, because they were educated, trained twelve weeks in The Bradley Method®, dad did his coaching job and they hired YourBirthHelper for doula support. We had talked in advance and everyone agreed if anyone deserved a shorter labor experience the second time around, IT WAS LORA! Lora’s due date was the day after St. Patty’s and no she did not get lucky enough to go into labor that day. However, the next day, she did get lucky enough to attend a Labor Workshop with YourBirthHelper and the #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam it was a beautiful day full of sunshine and labor positioning. On Wednesday, March 21st @ 1:05am Lora text: Hey Pam! Wanted to give you a heads up that I had mucous show bf bed and have started having contractions. Right now around every 6 min but only lasting 30-45 seconds. Haven't woke up Ty yet but wanted to give you a heads up in case I continue to progress. Lora had intentions of utilizing the spa like setting at her birth center Baby & Co Charlotte, but little did we both know the universe had way different plans in store. I packed my car and prepared to depart for Charlotte. Minutes later Lora shared, I can walk through them. Went to restroom and more brown mucus. Will try and get some more rest and see how it goes. Will keep you updated but don't want to make you come too early. I didn’t wait for Lora to ask me to head out (I listened to my gut and shortly after was on the road from GA). Several hours of driving had passed, around 4:15am Ty was texting me with updates and I was offering some position / technique suggestions, etc.. Fortunately, I was within 35 miles of them when Ty called to give me an update. He shared he had called Baby & Co. to give them a heads up that they were getting ready to head over after Lora's shower. Lora's contractions had picked up when she was enjoying the water. I replied, "Ty, I remember her being in the shower last time and my saying, unless you plan to have a baby at home we probably should go now." Ty laughed and said, "yup I remember that". What I didn't know at the time was Lora had went from the shower to the toilet, then found herself in transition, although she didn't initially realize it. Up until that point, she had been able to use her relaxation to work through each contraction. I asked Ty "awesome should I meet you at the bith center then?" About that time, I heard Lora in the background cry out for Ty. He said, "Pam hold on..." and put me on speaker phone. I heard some moaning and Ty calls out, "Pam the baby is coming!" I advised Ty, I was going to hang up, dial 911 and have medics in route to them. I instructed Ty to make sure front door was unlocked so they could get in. 5:08am Gaston 911 how may I assist you? Me: There is a baby being born at home and I need you to send medics to a Charlotte address. 911 Operator: This is Gaston County. Me: I know, I am currently on I-85 driving 75mph to get to that same Charlotte address. 911 Operator: Are you their midwife? Me: No, I am their Doula, this is an unexpected birth at home, they were supposed to be at the birth center. They clearly are NOT going to make it. 911 Operator: Hold please stay on the line while I transfer you to Charlotte. Charlotte 911 how may I assist you? Me: There is a baby being born as I speak and I need you to send medics to a Charlotte address. 911 Operator: What is the address? Me: The address is... 911 Operator: Please make sure they have the door unlocked. Me: Already have. 911 Operator: Are you their midwife? Me: No, I am their Doula, this is an unexpected birth at home, they were supposed to be at the birth center. I am 20 minutes out. 911 Operator: Ok medics have been dispatched. Me: Thank you very much. I immediately phoned Ty back, he answered and I spoke clearly yet loud enough over the moaning to calm down Lora. I said, "Lora zip those lips, no need to panic, nothing changes just because baby is born at home. We still do the same job, get ready to push, pull your legs back..." Ty said, "Pam, Lora is on hands and knees." I replied, "Great! Now, nothing out your mouth, bear down out your bottom. Ty, get ready to catch your baby." First push, head was born. Ty yelled, "Push Lora!" But, Lora told Ty she was in between contractions and wanted to wait for the next one. With only the second push, Ty caught his baby girl. "Baby is Out", Ty expressed with great excitement! I responded, "Put baby face down on mom's chest." I heard Ty say, "Lora turn over so I can put the baby on your chest." I inquired if any bleeding and Ty said, "No, Mom and baby are good." I reminded him to make sure front door was open. Allison, (my Doula Apprentice and also a friend/ neighbor of theirs, who lives right down the street) was on her way and should also be there any minute. 5:10am Called Allison and had her go immediately to the home of Lora & Ty. She arrived at 5:20am. I instructed Allison upon arrival to just help everyone stay calm and to keep first responders from trying to whisk her off in an ambulance (if no medical concerns existed for either her or baby) and have medics monitor any bleeding. Allison rocked that task! We estimated the baby's birth around 5:06/ 5:07am, a Beautiful Baby Girl, who daddy helped birth on the floor of their bedroom just shy of the bed when the uterus commanded mom into hands and knees. 5:40am I arrived at the residence to find a pretty red fire truck out front, an ambulance parked along the curb, a yellow gurney in front of the porch steps, with the front door wide open. Its still amazing Big Brother slept through all of this excitement. The firefighters were leaving when I entered the home. I walked up the staircase and into the bedroom to find Lora nursing baby. Dad, Allison, the nanny and two medics were standing quietly in the bedroom around the bedside. The lights were dimmed, there was ambience, relaxation and much peace that filled the room. This made me very proud, because it could have turned into a very chaotic experience real quickly had panic and fear crept in! It was quite uneventful considering baby came so quickly being born just shy of the bathroom and just shy of their bed. Kudos to Lora for remembering, Pam says "No toilet babies" and when that thought popped into Lora's head, she said she immediately got off the toilet and Ty attempted to get her to the bed when suddenly the baby decided she was coming. Mom dropped down into a hands & knees birthing position on her bedroom floor. One of the paramedics said to me upon arrival, "Great your midwife is here, we will be going. You're the midwife right? We can go now?" I said, "No, I am not her midwife, I am her Doula. I do not practice medicine. I'm a normality expert". A few minutes after arriving, Lora became very uncomfortable. I inquired had the placenta been born. Allison advised it had not. Lora said, "Pam I'm hurting." I shared it was probably the placenta creating pressure ready to be born. In my head, I'm thinking hey first responders, you can't really assess the bleeding until the completion of third stage labor. You need to stick around to check her bleeding, that was kind of the whole reason in having them dispatched to the home. The paramedic offered me a pair of sterile gloves. I looked at Lora and asked, "Would you like me to help you with your placenta?" She said, "Yes." The cord was already white with a silver tint. I grabbed hold of the umbilical cord, asked Lora to bear down a little and gently guided the placenta out of her body. The kind paramedics offered me a clear plastic bag to place the afterbirth in and they had previously clamped the baby's cord. We will give them credit for that! Our own Maggie G was picking up her placenta to encapsulate. The placenta was placed in a cooler on ice. If you are not familiar with this process check it out. Many women find it helps them through the postpartum time and eases the baby blues by helping regulate hormones in mom's body. Interestingly, it is said in some third world countries, if mom is bleeding too much, by placing a small piece of the placenta in the cheek of mom, the bleeding will immediately cease. Although, I have no personal knowledge of this to attest one way or another (and sadly there is little research in preventative health in this arena) however, it does make sense to many birth professionals simply because the placenta is full of natural hormones. Most of us do not like the sound of that, however, in a hospital setting, most will be routinely administered synthetic oxytocin (if you consent), either through IV or injected into thigh, regardless if medically necessary or not, unless you request otherwise. Commonly known as pitocin. The irony is, we have no way to know in advance who may lose too much blood or hemorrhage. The most common postpartum practice in the states regarding consumption of the afterbirth is a process of dehydrating the placenta into powder form and its placed within gel caps and mom consumes like a vitamin daily or in tincture form (which can also be saved/stored for menopausal years). Its a scientifically known practice called placentophagy. It is not overly common in the states, but allow me to point out, all of nature consumes the afterbirth. In fact, we may just be the only mammals who instinctively do not. In the states, few are even educated on the multitude of benefits of delayed cord clamping for baby (cord stop pulsating before clamping to ensure blood transfer to baby is complete). Sadly, most uneducated couples think the only task with the afterbirth is simply, who is cutting the cord? Do your research moms & dads. Invest in your birth long before the labor begins. Your childbirth training and your level of education in this process matters. Just like knowing the do's & don't's of Emergency Childbirth. You just never know when you may have to use that knowledge... right Ty? To prepare for this amazing birth, an UnexpectedHomeBirth, Dad and Mom trained formerly in The Bradley Method ® prior to their first natural birth. They learned about daily prep including The Brewer Nutritional plan, pregnancy exercises to tone and condition specific muscle groups and regular exercise daily for overall stamina to weather how ever many hours of labor mom shall endure and still have energy to push a baby out. The course is twelve weeks in length and for a twenty-four hour investment of time, couples find the training to be invaluable to gain the necessary skills to avoid unnecessary pain during the labor and birth process. Lora had a very long and challenging labor with baby #1 and sadly even after a day of labor arrived at her birthplace "Nothing Dilated" they could not even reach her cervix because it was still posterior. She shares very honestly, had she and her husband not been educated on first the four things vaginal exams measure, had an understanding of how to utilize the information to create progress and to NOT ALLOW the Doctor to SHARE the RESULTS ALOUD in the room, she surely would have thrown in the towel that moment and said forget it, give me the epidural. Instead, Dad stepped in the hallway with the doctor for the results and the decision was made to return home to labor in her relaxing environment. Those two very good decisions were ultimately her success with baby #1 aka Parker's drug free natural birth​. Sadly, for many couples a twelve week class and 12 weeks of baby sitting (for repeat classes) just doesn't always line up with busy schedules. Although, I do agree with Dr. Robert A. Bradley that Couples Should Prepare For Each Child Exactly As They Did For The First. It's what I call Mom & Dad's selfish time for this Baby. A traditional class once a week can help couples set aside time away from the other children to reconnect. You can never go wrong with that plan. However, work and life don't always allow. In those scenarios, YourBirthHelper.com offers 2-3 hour Workshops from basic childbirth education, to Labor Role Play, etc. and even customize workshops in both private and group settings. Preparation is key to the success of any happy BIRTH" day and having a plan B for possible "What If" scenarios is never a bad idea either. Lastly, I propose this question, what constitutes the definition of an Emergency Childbirth? I believe quite contrary to the common referral of an unexpected birth at home as an Emergency Childbirth. I pose this question often in childbirth class and ask the students to explain to me first their definition of an emergency. As you can imagine, I receive lots of various synonyms: danger, accident, crisis, but I challenge my students to consider why do most people go to an emergency room? The most common answer is potential loss of life. Then I share, Consider this... most of you are very healthy people. So, if we have a baby in an unplanned location such as home or in the car, does just "bringing forth life naturally" as a healthy person with a healthy baby constitute an emergency? Inevitably, they all answer NO. Birth is about bringing LIFE into the world. Now don't get me wrong, birth will never be free of inherent risks even for a healthy person in the best of care, however, the likelihood of there being a real emergency, just because a baby decided to be born in an unforeseen location, is not that great. It can still be a very normal natural act in which mom and baby are just fine. No doubt, in this situation, most would still go get checked out. Thankfully, The Robbins family, found themselves having an uneventful quick birth, in which mom did her job, dad did his and everyone was filled with JOY, just as if she had been present at her birth center. Sadly, she just didn't get to enjoy the amenities of the birth center spa like atmosphere. Instead, she enjoyed the calming water in her own shower and following birth the relaxation of her own bed and with the help of their nanny, my Doula Apprentice Allison (also a friend of theirs) who rushed over to assist, a couple of Charlotte-Meck firefighters who checked in and lit up the street with colorful birthday lights and two kind paramedics who also did the same. What excitement! Not panic, not chaos, not danger, just a natural birth in an unplanned location as it has been done for thousands of years, except it wasn't just Husband Coached Childbirth this time, it was also Daddy Helped Born Me!! Super proud of this amazing power couple and so happy to have assisted them with birth education and Doula services for both of their babies! Love my #BirthFamily #CharlotteBirthFamily #HusbandCoached #DaddyHelpedBornMe #SymbioticBirth #UnplannedHomeBirth #HomeBirth #CharlotteBabyCo Kudos on a job well done! Consider wisely Doula support even if utilizing an out of hospital center, maybe just as important as having an advocate within a hospital. At least, that's what Ty and Lora would tell you! Help me welcome to the World Baby Madalyne Marie 8.4lbs no doubt you are LOVED! Congrats to big brother Parker also! #DoulaApprentice #Doula #DoulaAssistedBirth #homebirth #UnplannedHomeBirth #SymbioticBirth #naturalbirth #CharlotteBirthFamily #Charlotte

Birth/ b∂rTH/ the emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of life as a physically separate being. Rec• la• ma• tion: the process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right. First, isn't it sad that a female would feel as if she had to reclaim her birth experience. Wouldn't it be a much more peaceful process if women could be supported during the labor and birth process to birth normally (as in the way nature intended- left alone and free from unnecessary medical interventions that do not directly apply to them), naturally (as in they way our ancestors birthed, completely DRUG FREE, if desired)? This is why #SymbioticBirth was created... to bring the best of normality in birthing with ONLY medically necessary interventions. There is no reason why the two can't go hand and hand, after all educated couples are not against medical procedures when they are actually needed, they are simply against unnecessary interventions being applied on the masses just because (one example) quote "everyone has an IV to have a baby"...FALSE. Healthy MOMS who are properly hydrated have no emergent medical reason for an IV, medical staff, however, will very often give the speech "In the event of an emergency..." Here is the irony, in the event of an emergency most every couple will gladly reexamine their wishes and welcome informed consent. Here is where most have the biggest issue, when a perfectly healthy mom walks into her birth place (typically a hospital) and she is greeted with a doctor who introduces himself/herself and follows immediately with "You know sometimes some women have to have c-sections. I'm sorry ~ what?... is my personal response in my mind. When I hear this and trust me, I have witnessed this exact scenario play out multiple times, I turn and say, "WE ARE GONNA PUSH THIS BABY OUT THANKS!" And, PUSH SHE DID THE FIRST TIME AND THE SECOND TIME.. Hence the second time around, the word, RECLAMATION for Sarah & Jorge Neri. The JOY and excitement of their first birth so quickly sucked from the room by an Obstetrician who could have said anything but Hi my name is Dr so & so and sometimes women have to have c-sections! I think, WHY? What would possess a medical professional to say such to a healthy mom who is managing her labor just fine, baby is head down, she has NO medical reasons which would warrant possible medical intervention, surgery, etc., is he just having a bad day, does he just want to make more money, what? Luckily, for the couple they had trained twelve weeks for natural birth. They had practical skills to carry them despite the lack of support of their paid birth professionals. They also chose to hire a DOULA to help advocate since they knew the hospital they were birthing had a reputation of not supporting couples wishes for their birth. They had a natural birth the first time despite all the negativity and lack of support, but you see the happiness in anticipation of their "birth" was sucked away and everyone was on edge after. It just didn't feel right. Dad felt like he had to keep MOM from being bullied into intervention she did not want nor need and often the staff out loud eye rolled the couple for choosing to labor free of unnecessary interventions. WHY? If anything these couples are lightening the often heavy load of nurses, these couples rock their labors independently and have a basis of understanding so, it seems nurses would be tickled to be assigned to a natural birth couple, but typically the opposite is true sadly. WHAT DID THIS POWER COUPLE DO DIFFERENT WITH BABY & LABOR #2... 1) They chose an out of hospital center that supports not only natural low intervention births, but also a COUPLES RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR BIRTH ~ THEIR WAY. 2) They chose to hire a DOULA (even though they reviewed labor and birth skills with YourBirthHelper.com labor role play workshops). 3) They chose to manage a great deal of their labor at home in moms comfy relaxing space. 4) They arrived at their birth place ready to push a baby out... (maybe a little later than Sarah would've liked), but no doubt Jorge wasn't taking any chances this time of someone stealing their JOY. 5) They chose to have a SURPRISE GENDER to add even more "HAPPY" to their second "BIRTH" day! I personally could not have been happier myself. Not only did they take the information they learned and apply it extremely well, they #NAILEDIT ~ BIRTH that is! I literally drove 3 hours up from Georgia to support their labor, alongside my #CharlotteDoulaDreamTeam. Allison and I awaited the arrival of the couple at the front door of Baby & Co Charlotte. Approximately, five minutes later Jorge pulled the car up to the front door. Sarah was no doubt completely engulfed in her labor contractions. She was most definitely transitioning in the car, as upon exiting the car and entering the birth center push phase had commenced without her. I immediately reminded her we would not want to have a baby in the lobby of the birth center, but it literally felt to her as if the baby was trying to come out. I cupped her vagina (just in case) and to make her feel as if she could make the last steps to Birth Room 3. It was a little further than she had anticipated. Once she was bedside, I asked her to sit back on the bed, she didn't want to feeling as if she would be sitting on the head. I had just unexpectedly had to catch a baby in a hospital just days before when my client (also standing bedside) baby decided it was coming and the staff wasn't ready. I reminded Sarah and asked her to please not make me do that again, because, if my hands are tied, I can't capture any good pictures...lol. Sara wasn't into singing a song to help prevent overwhelming urge to bear down, therefore I suggested she use a low register noise or word. I pulled her pants down to find the baby was in FULL CROWN. She finally was able to gently sit back on bed and the midwife, Ife and & picked her legs up. We encouraged her to be easy, little grunts/pushes to allow the head to stretch her and avoid tears. With just a few active pushes, the head peeked out looking at me and then turning as it rotated on its way into this world. (Yes, I captured some amazing pics- even one of the fetal Heimlich maneuver). So fabulous! Once the head was out Sarah gave a gentle push, and out comes the baby onto her chest... there was a brief pauses and then Jorge calls out, "I GOT MY GIRL!!!" Then the tears commenced! Just like in John 16:21, her heart WAS immediately filled with JOY!! I would say, "and she could remember the pain no more" but, hello she still had third stage labor to go. The passing of the afterbirth. ( The BAG of Waters contains two layers, the inner & outer layers amnion & chorion) Sarah was never so happy to gently bear down and have the midwife assist as she birthed one of the largest placentas I have personally ever seen! Her placenta appeared to have something resembling an extra lobe attached, which is not a problem, just more cosmetic than anything they say. I could not be more proud of Doula Apprentice, Allison Termeer, as she was instrumental in capturing the midwife's logging times, etc. in the absence of a baby nurse, because the birth happened so very quickly one was not present till shortly after. Congrats to this amazing family, aka #BirthFamily #CharlotteBirthFamily and the latest addition to YourBirthHelper.com Charlotte team, Sarah Neri on her second low intervention drug free birth, and to she & her hubby, the RECLAMATION OF THEIR HAPPY "BIRTH"DAY! Congrats also to BIG BROTHER ADEN aka my little dinosaur! #SymbioticBirth #BradleyBirth #HusbandCoached #Doula #CharlotteBabyCo #BirthCenterBirth #BirthWithoutFear #MidwifeAssisted #PreventBirthTrauma #naturalbirth #birth #TheBradleyMethod #YourBirthHelper #BabyCo #naturalbirth #DelayedCordClamping #YourBirthHelpercom #YourBirthHelper #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #SymbioticBirth #Daddyhelpedbirthme #DoulaAssistedBirth #DoulaApprentice

Allow me to introduce our new Athens Doula Candidate, Nikki Reeves. She grew up in Georgia and was a Cum Laude graduate of Georgia Southern University in 2010. She studied education and taught three years in Atlanta. After birthing her two sons she discovered her passion for educating and supporting moms. She herself experienced anxiety, depression and trauma during pregnancy and postpartum. With little to no resources local to her, she began her own peer support group in 2017. Maternal Mental Health Support blossomed and she continues volunteering her time and knowledge. She is highly informed on maternal mental health and is certified with multiple trainings. I not be happier to offer her the second candidate spot on #AthensDoulaDreamTeam. No doubt moms are sure to be blessed and not just in the labor room. In her spare time, she enjoys advocacy projects and fundraisers for maternal health. I could not be more pleased she understands my #BirthFamily concept and the importance of ongoing support after baby has arrived. It doesn't end with the birth of a child, quite the opposite, it just begins there and last a lifetime. Nikki’s goal is to make the birth experience exactly what the mother desires by helping her avoid modern medicalized procedures that are not medically necessary, more specifically interventions that focus simply on science, technology, convenience and profits. Instead, turning to continuous care and support during labor, birth and beyond. birth of a mother and baby is a cherished time and together, along with Charlotte and all YourBirthHelper.com teammates can't wait to roll out the soon to be released Fourth Trimester Education Workshops & Family Support! Words can not express my excitement and gratitude to the good Lord for supernaturally orchestrating this amazing team, to be back in town serving the Athens Community with quality childbirth education in The Bradley Method®, but also to be able to pour my years of #SymbioticBirth skills into the next generation of passionate women ensuring even more happy "birth"days! It will be my pleasure to personally train these smart, strong and beautiful women. Get pumped Athens, Ga & surrounding areas, YourBirthHelper.com is growing again! Our motto, "You begin as students, but you end as FAMILY!" #Birth #Natural Birth #VBAC #DoulaSupport #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #BirthWithoutFear #BirthAdvocates #YourBirthHelperDoulaApprenticeship #Maternal Health #4thTrimesterSupport #DoulaApprentice #StillbornDoulaSupport #LaborCoaching #birth #SymbioticBirth #InfantLoss #BirthTrauma #PreventingBirthTrauma #DrugFreeBirth

Katie and Patrick were an amazing team and it is such a pleasure to work with a mom and dad that are trained properly and that greatly lean on each other during the most intimate time of their lives. I am so blessed to have the pleasure to witness the birth of Grace and provide doula support to each of them during their labor of love. Congrats Katie and Patrick, you applied what you learned with great confidence. Now, allow me to give you a quick glimpse of their initial journey into parenthood. Katie is the proud mama of two sweet boys and her first birth plan was to have "just an epidural" but we all know there is no such thing as "just an epidural". The use of an epidural is combined with what is commonly known as the "domino effect". First, your platelets and blood pressure need to be within normal range to be a good candidate; next mom must have an IV, two bags of fluid, hold still in a crotched position during contractions, hope the anesthesiologist properly locates L4 -L5, and that the meds are actually effective, do not settle on one side or the other, last long enough, it does not fall out, etc. After placement, comes a mom who is now confined to the bed and subject to a good nurse helping adjust her position, turning her in the bed after initially lying flat on her back, understand the use of the peanut ball, etc. Mom is then subjected to constant EFM monitoring and most often a second drug is used to augment labor/speed the labor back up, after a common side effect of the medication slows her labor down. Then we have the placement of a catheter, not just the small tube in her back, but also a catheter to empty her bladder. Many moms are not even aware the epidural does not eliminate all sensations associated with labor/ birth; in fact, many women struggle to even rest through the pressure, even though if working properly it does ease or eliminate the "pain" of the contraction. The epidural also commonly prolongs push phase and can lead to increase use of mechanical assistance and even surgery when baby does not remain happy and content with use of the drugs. Katie had decided with baby number two, she would simply repeat her first plan, but her second labor kicked in to high gear so quickly that the epidural was NOT even an option! Imagine the number of folks whose birth plan consists solely of "just having an epidural" and that goes right out the window. Have you considered the "what ifs"? The anesthesiologist is tied up in another room? He happens to be in surgery and just can not get to you in time? We commonly get these phone calls for women desiring a different birth plan, even when it was not that the epidural did not work the first or second time, it was simply it could not, did not happen quickly enough or did not even kick in until after baby was born. Here is the problem when we do not educate ourselves properly: a mom whose only plan to manage labor is "just an epidural" has not even considered HOW she will MANAGE her LABOR BEFORE the epidural, DURING labor if the epidural can not be administered quickly enough, fails her, or if baby comes before it takes effect, and even AFTER the meds wear off? You see, we as women, LABOR and endure CONTRACTIONS whether meds fail us or not, whether baby comes too fast or not! Why then would we as women not properly prepare and educate ourselves in the event of such scenarios? That thought, is exactly how we came to meet Katie, because she did NOT want to go into birth number three clueless of how to manage her own labor again. This time, Katie had a different approach to her birth, a plan to educate, apply what she had learned, hire a doula team to empower and support her and rock a low intervention natural birth, with the help of her husband coach. One simple truth , "no one knows your body better than you do". An educated consumer will be calmer, have a basis of understanding of how to make good decisions and acquire informed consent, learn skills to help manage contractions, and have a coach/partner that can help advocate for her. Now back to Katie. We first met this sweet mom when Tina Hayes referred her to us. Tina is a midwife here in Charlotte that we love to work with, she is the epitome of normalcy and natural child birth. She listens to and cares for the mom all throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. But anyways, Tina knew because of Katie's past history with quick labors that we would be a great fit to fill her doula needs. After Katie explored our YourBirthHelper services, she decided to change her next birth story by first registering for a birthing workshop (SMART MOVE- no matter the plan to utilize pain management or not) that we had scheduled for January 14th. At this point Katie was 36 weeks pregnant with her third child. I'm sure many are thinking, why would a third time mama (with successful vaginal births) need or want to take a birthing workshop going into their 36th week of pregnancy? First, Dr. Robert Bradley (an OBGYN who fought to get dads into the delivery room and who understood the unique aspects of labor and birth) always recommended treating each pregnancy like it is your first because labor and birth for each child can be different lengths and strengths from the last. YourBirthHelper.com recommends at least one workshop, there are many to choose from, but in particular, a Labor Role Play workshop can be just what the couple needs to change their entire experience. Preparation, including mental, physical, and emotional, is absolutely paramount to achieving a low intervention natural childbirth or what we like to call a #SymbioticBirth. It was at the workshop where I first met Katie and her husband Patrick. They are two of the sweetest people you will meet and you could definitely tell Patrick was up for the challenge of birth coach. He had already done it two times before! As I mentioned before, this was Katie's third pregnancy. She has two little boys and both have their own unique birth story. But there was a common thread in both of those births - Katie's body does work quickly! And by quickly I mean in minutes. Once her body decides it's time, it's time. She will have several hours of early labor but once she gets moving, baby gets moving too, literally. After their recent birth, Tina, their midwife remarked she now understood their urgency to arrive sooner than others and was thankful Katie and Patrick had warned her! 5cm to complete in minutes~ WOW! The fun that can follow the unpredictability of a drug free uterus - this photo of their midwife and I says it all! A quick birth is better than coffee to wake you up at 4am, ha! I was thankful to be part of such an interesting and unpredictable labor marathon. Speaking of timing, did I mention, the couple had just found out the night before in urgent care their son had pneumonia? Nothing like the joy of dealing with a sick child at home when another one wants to enter the world. Katie's birth story began Thursday February 8th, 2018, just one day before her due date. At this point, Katie had been dilated for 2cm for a while. So given her past history and the fact she was dilating, Patrick and Katie were on edge waiting for go-time. She started to have some inconsistent contractions throughout the day. Luckily, Pam was already in town and Katie had been in constant contact with her not only throughout the day but for several days before hand as both her boys had come early too. Despite inconsistent short contractions, around 10pm, the decision was made that Katie and Patrick were going to head on over to the hospital in Matthews since they were coming from Ft. Mill and Patrick did not like the thought of baby number three trying to jump out in the car nor did he want to have a baby on the side of the road; so even though her contractions were lasting only about 30-40 seconds long and every 3.5 minutes a part, they headed to the hospital to get checked out. After speaking with Pam and Nancy (our fabulous doula-in-training who is also a Labor and Delivery nurse) who were nearby, they arrived at their birth place but made the decision to hang out in the lobby and see if she could get stronger more consistent contractions going. Pam and Nancy met Katie and Patrick in the lobby of the hospital. For approximately 2 hours, they walked around, did some hip flexor stretching, squats, and talked about random things to take her mind off of home and eventually ending her lobby fun with having her visualize her baby moving down and out. Then they all made the trek upstairs to have the midwife check her for progress in triage. Nancy and Pam just love a reason to see Tina Hayes! Since no change of her cervix or head position, the decision was made that Katie should try and get some rest. A good rule of thumb is if you are not in active labor (6cm dilated), then you should rest when you are supposed to be sleeping and go about your day when you normally would be doing that. Since at this point it was 1230am, everyone headed home for hopefully a few hours of much needed rest. Katie got home and settled into the comfort of her own bed mentally preparing to try sleep as much as she can. But what story would not be complete without a twist? An hour after laying down, Katie noticed a pop and some fluid leaking out. Her water had just broke! The first contraction after her water breaking lasted a full minute and 27 seconds. Remember before this point all her contractions were 30-40 seconds. Her body was gearing up to do some work! She immediately got in contact with Pam asking what they should do, Pam made contact with Tina and Tina advised to send the couple back in. They quickly got back in the car and make the trek back to Matthews, NC. This is where I came into the birth story. Pam advised me to head over to the hospital to assess the labor and doula assist as needed. Katie and Patrick arrived back in triage at 345am and the contractions were anywhere from 30 seconds a part to 4 minutes a part, lasting from 30 seconds to 60 seconds in length. She received another internal exam in triage which showed she was now 5cm dilated. They quickly got her settled into a room and Tina was told to come down to Katie's room at 355am (just 10 minutes after being checked) because Katie was already having the urge to push. At 4am, I arrived at the hospital and walked into a room full of nurses because Katie was pushing! I had made it just in time to capture some amazing birth shots. Giving birth is the most athletic event a woman will ever do. These are priceless moments much like your wedding day; a one-time event of which details are forgotten so quickly. Such an added valuable service. Did you know all our YourBirthHelper Doula contracts come with FREE LABOR/BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY? Grace came barreling into this world at 405am. Dad supporting mom, midwife supporting baby and thus another happy "birth" day party commenced! Just a mere 20 minutes after being checked in triage with a cervix "only 5cm dilated". This is why we try and impress on all our pregnant mamas that it does not matter how far dilated you are, it is just a number! The body can do amazing things. Like a cervix that goes from 0 to 10cm (or in Katie's case 5 to 10cm) in no time. We do not have any real way of determining if that will happen and we have to rely on our training (both as birthing professionals and as the expecting couple) to figure out what is going on with the mama and her body. A mama walking around talking and eating most likely is not going to have a baby in the immediate future. A mama who goes from 30 second contractions to 1min 27sec contractions that increase in intensity greatly, is probably doing some work. We always assess the mama's demeanor in determining how far along she is no matter what the contractions are doing. But let me back up a little bit and brag on Katie and Tina. I left out a super key part that is really neat to look back upon. Grace came into this world 20 minutes after mom going into active labor but she also came into this world with a double nuchal cord - meaning the cord was wrapped around her neck twice. Check out this amazing birth photo I captured. Most OBs would have stopped Katie from pushing, clamped the cord in two places, and cut the cord to free/deliver sweet Grace. Not Tina, many leave cords in tact and are trained to birth babies like this. With a quick move of her hand, she gently removed the cord from Grace's neck. Grace was perfect and there was no reason as to why the cord needed to be cut prior to Grace being born. It just goes to show how amazing the natural birth process, how amazing our bodies are, and how amazing midwives are! Mom did not need a c-section because a cord was around the neck, she did not need a c-section because there were two loops of cord around the neck, she did not need her push phase halted to cut/free the baby. Current evidence-based birth shows leaving nuchal cords alone and simply birthing the baby is best and this old school practice dates back to Erasmus Darwin M.D. 1731-1802 who shared, "another thing very injurious to the child, is the tying and cutting of the navel string too soon; which should always be left till the child has not only repeatedly breathed but till all pulsation in the cord ceases. As otherwise the child is much weaker than it ought to be, a portion of the blood being left in the placenta, which ought to have been in the child". Funny how history seems to repeat itself. Major props to Tina for another job well done and we commend Katie and Patrick for their dedication to not only educate themselves on the natural process, but also how to properly manage labor and work with their body, apply what they learned despite such an intense, speedy, and unpredictable John 16:21 birth journey! This mom just gave birth a few hours earlier ~ and Baby Grace had the ride of her life! And, below Baby Grace all cleaned up! #birth #PreparingforBirthing #EpiduralFreeBirth #CharlotteBirthFamily #DoulaAssistedBirth #Doula #DelayedCordClamping #MidwifeAssistedHospitalBirth #HusbandCoachedChildbirth

It warmed my heart to receive a message from Kelsey sharing they were moving and could I help direct her to an OBGYN office because she was expecting baby #3. It always tickles me to hear one of my former Bradley Method® student couples are expecting, but especially exciting, because it was one of my couples from Charlotte, NC. Andy had accepted a ministry position very close to my own home town of Loganville. Kelsey had heard I was back in Georgia starting a new Doula Team. We planned a Doula Consult meet up at the Chik Fil A in Bethlehem. I had the privilege of seeing both big brothers, David who is now 3 (declined to join our photo) and Josiah now 20 months over some chicken nuggets and fruit. It's funny really to see how that side of town has grown. I shared with Andy in my 41 years of growing up in Loganville, Ga no one ever went out to Bethlehem except to mail our Christmas cards. May sound funny to some, but think of the significance of that birth. Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to bring forth life in a manager to our Savior. The King of Kings! No doubt, we have it easier today when it comes to the conveniences of birthing indoors, free of animals, a clean bed, room, etc. and even have assistance by medical personnel in what is commonly known today as a Labor & Delivery suite. However, those of us who understand God designed our body for "giving birth" often have an idea of how we would like to endure our labor of love as expressed in the bible in John chapter 16 verse 21... for when the woman is in travail/labor she is un-joyful (Really Lord I don't think un-joyful properly expresses our efforts when drug free), but as soon as the baby is born her heart is full of JOY and she can remember the pain no more. Much like the normality of the birth of Jesus, as healthy women carrying a healthy baby we should be able to experience the normality of birthing. It doesn't have to be a medical procedure to have your baby rid from your body. In fact, most educated couples who understand how the body works during labor and birth prefer quite the opposite. Its fear of the unknown that leads women to solely rely on someone to "deliver their baby" those of us who have properly prepared for birth and know what to expect and how to work with our body actually prefer the birth to be free of unnecessary medical interventions. Therefore, the baby is NOT quote "delivered from our body", we as strong supported women, "Bring forth Life!" Much like Mary in the manager, but with medical help available, should it be needed, however, unlikely. On Thursday, February 15th around 2:06pm I was notified Kelsey was having some mild cramping. I encouraged her to eat well and try to squeeze in some extra rest just in case. Friday around 10:25 am Kelsey text me an update that she was still cramping but no defined noticeable contractions. She ended her text with "Baby Luke is still cooking!" LOL My next update was Thursday, February 22nd 11:37am poor thing was feeling as if her hips were going to pop off...she only had relief by full squats or straddling a chair... the things children put us women though. Bless! We talked about natural ways to relieve those poor hips. Kelsey said, "This must mean I will have a baby tonight right?" If only it worked that way. Baby Luke's escape the womb story began early Saturday, February 24th @ 12:55am when Kelsey's bag of water burst. Andy was busy like Noah after the flood except instead of wrangling the animals up, he was wrangling all the wet linens! Yes, Andy excelled at his Labor Coach job and was ever attentive to her laboring needs. He was just overly eager, now that the water had broken to arrive at their chosen birth place sooner vs. later because of Kelsey's unpredictable labor patterns. They phoned me at 2:16am the contractions had started and were 45 seconds in length but 2-3 minutes apart with constant cramping in between. I encouraged them to get their sitter squared away just in case things picked up. I went ahead and dressed and packed my things because interestingly the day before I had a feeling another baby was coming and not knowing if I would be heading to Charlotte, NC or birthing here I had packed a suitcase just in case. Oddly, because I rarely ever dream just two nights earlier, I had caught a baby in my sleep. Some find what I call my discernment radar interesting, I find it to be quite accurate most of the time. Little did I know what was to come. But first, a little history of how men returned to such valuable work in the U.S. In Denver, Colorado, Dr. Robert A. Bradley, an OBGYN fought long and hard back in the 70's to get husbands into the delivery room and for that often ridiculed he continued to fight for the normality of birth saving medical intervention for those clients who truly needed them. For that, willing supportive men like Andy, still thank him to this day and consider it a pleasure to assist their wives through such meaningful work. Dr. Bradley noted the Hawthorne Effect and how a supportive husband could do way more for his laboring wife than any amount of medication. No doubt Dr. Bradley would've been pleased that even to this day couples like Kelsey and Andy can find a local class and literally train and learn how to give birth naturally. I am fortunate to still teach this valuable class. Not only does it help couples bring their baby into the world keeping the focus on the natural process saving medical interventions for those who truly need them, but it helps strengthen marriages & family bonds and best of all produce healthier babies and healthier moms from valuable nutrition and exercise plans when if utilized even though we have variations they do not have to become complications. Interestingly, Dr. Bradley never wanted the class / method called, The Bradley Method®. He thought it should be called, "God's Way!"... he would say, What I applied with great success in my practice of 94% of couples birthing drug free was learned on the farm in which I grew up not in medical school. All of nature imitates sleep, pulls away from the other animals to a quiet spot where they can labor uninterrupted, the time in which many labor varies greatly and in an unmedicated labor things can be quite unpredictable. Relaxation equals progress... it is amazing when mom remains in a relaxed state of mind, assuming good positions what an unmedicated uterus can accomplish. Here the couple is utilizing the stroking technique, one of my personal favorites. Andy uses his fingertips and by hovering over the skin or in Kelsey's case, stroking over her hair every so gently is one of the many useful relaxation techniques they learned years ago in their initial Bradley Method® childbirth training. Andy and Kelsey are once again living examples of the John 16:21 journey. Kelsey was working hard, but trusting in both her own body, the support of her husband and by making good decisions following informed consent she stayed her path to achieve her birth plans for baby # 3. Now back to Baby Luke's grand entrance, upon arriving Kelsey was 6cm dilated, after approximately 30 minutes of monitoring, we began our positions to progress labor. As in the popular movie line from Star Wars, "The force is with you" for Kelsey, Andy and I, it became quite literal statement. After several position changes and ever growing in intensity contractions she utilized the shower to best manage the pain of her contractions. Kelsey began grabbing the squat bar and squatting and rocking with each, Andy replied, this is what she does when baby is getting closer. Once she began having some vibrations in her voice, we took a warm blanket dried her off and we walked back to the bedside closest to the windows. The staff had shared the amniotic fluid had tested positive for meconium and there would be an extra nurse in the room from NICU just in case baby had any issues. 85% of the time it is a normal occurrence as baby is receiving oxygen through the cord not their mouth, about 15% of the time they can inhale the meconium and it cause respiratory issues/complications. It was there Kelsey began swaying her hips and we switched to using productive labor noises. She chose the word, "LOW" a few minutes later, the NICU nurse pointed and said there it is. Andy was standing on Kelsey's left side and helping support her. I had helped clean up mom a little, went to wash my hands, had just enough time to walk back around when I looked down and saw the head emerging. Immediately, I bent down and outstretched my arms calling out to the doctor - come come here is the head (her OBGYN was on the other side of the bed putting her gloves on), along with two other nurses. Remember, when I said "the force was with Luke"... well, literally it WAS! So much force, the he came barreling down, gravity assisted, into my hands, then rolled into the doctor's arms, his cord burst, I looked down and saw the blood quickly clamped moms cord as the doctor passed the baby over to the NICU nurse and they quickly compressed his cord to stop the bleeding. A cord clamp followed for baby and shortly after the surgical tech brought over a pair of hemostats to clamp off moms cord as the placenta has not yet released. Kelsey and Andy both were rock star champs, as were the medical staff. And, allow me to this moment to publicly apologize to the sweet little housekeeping lady on behalf of Baby Luke and what appeared to be a crime scene upon his unexpected, unpredictable and rather "forceful" exit. May I also say, although my brand new tennis shoes washed clean as new, each time I wear them from here on out, I will giggle a little recalling the 8 pound 3 oz bundle of JOY that although fell straight into my arms. All Glory to God ~ welcome to the world Baby Luke! You are a special little man and both your parents and Northside Presbyterian Church will be blessed! And, despite my Doula rule #2, I would've never let Luke fall to the floor. So, now, I suppose I will have to reword my Doula Rules. Maybe, now I shall say it this way from now on: YBH Doula Rule #1 Dad does Dad's job - Pam does Pam's job- Pam don't do dad's job. YBH Doula Rule #2 I do not catch babies- well, thats not exactly true, sometimes, I have to, because the force is with them and despite a room full of medical staff the baby chose me! Special thanks to Doula Apprentice Charlotte~ here's to our next exciting birth @ 4am. Funny, I had my very first doula birth in Monroe and now caught my very first baby here. #FullCircle #SymbioticBirth #YourBirthHelper #AthensDoulaDreamTeam #Doula #naturalbirth #ClearviewRegional #BradleyMethod #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #forcewaswithhim #standingbirth #DoulaHelpedBornMe #BirthWithoutFear #birth #naturalbirth #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #DrugFreeBirth #ClearviewRegional #YourBirthHelper #YourBirthHelpercom #SymbioticBirth

And then there were three... People describe new additions to their family in a multitude of ways including: bun in the oven, baby, little one, child, infant, newborn but have you ever had anyone refer to your baby as a basketball? Well, poor Melissa had no hiding place for baby to camp out. You see she was one of those mothers who appeared to have swallowed a basketball. It was just there like BAMB! POW! Oops there it is! WHAT?.. You are Pregnant? From behind I couldn't even tell...lol. She just went with it and was slightly surprised by the comments because she never considered herself a small or petite woman but she had such a wonderful healthy pregnancy, she ate right/ focused on good nutrition, stayed active and had gained only 22 lbs (35lbs is average) but fast forward to 41 weeks and the dreaded "induction / c-section" speech. Followed by the full term ultrasound & non-stress test. Baby looked great! Although, the conversation that had commenced that morning at her prenatal check did not reflect healthy mom, healthy baby. Actually, the opposite, it was very defeating including the words, "You should just schedule a c-section this baby is going to be too big to be born, could get stuck, cause damage to your body and still be born via c-section. So, why not just schedule surgery and skip labor altogether? I mean what if you do all that work/ labor and still end up in surgery? When mom phoned me Friday morning crying after having endured this unpleasant conversation, I began to explain... In 1986, a study was released explaining the benefits of labor to an unborn fetus. The article was titled, The Stress of Being Born by Hugo Lagercrantz and Theodore Slotkin shared in Scientific American magazine. The question was posed is the birth process actually traumatic for baby? More specifically the role of catecholamines the so called- stress hormones, including adrenaline and noradrenaline during labor. They found the substances actually help rather than harm the fetus by protecting it from hypoxia and enhancing its ability to adapt after birth. The authors shared, "it is actually important to undergo the events eliciting the production of stress hormones. The resulting surge of hormones prepares the infant to survive outside the womb. It clears the lungs and changes their physiological characteristics to promote normal breathing, mobilizes readily usable fuel to nourish cells, ensures that a rich supply of blood goes to the heart and brain and may even promote attachment between mother and child." The authors suggest that babies delivered by elective cesarean section before labor begins miss the benefits of the "catecholamine surge" during labor. This was positively correlated with higher Apgar scores suggesting the hormones counteract the effects of oxygen deprivation. For short, LABOR improves breathing by increasing lung-liquid absortion, dilates bronchioles, protects heart & brain through increased blood flow to vital organs, breaks down glycogen in liver, breaks down normal fat into fatty acids and facilitates bonding through dilation of pupils. Let me just tell you, little Miss EJ, as daddy called her, was totally focused on gazing into her daddy's eyes each time he spoke. Kudos to this amazing power couple! Against all odds, being overdue & pressured to throw in their plans for their birth, not only got herself into labor but labored over 18 difficult hours of every two minute apart back labor contractions drug free. Melissa Pikulin & Todd Gozur together rose above every obstacle to still give birth minus the suggested surgery! Did they get to put a gold star beside every line on her birth plan: No. But very few if any of us do. Did she find herself overwhelmed with contractions wishing she had never labored at all: No. Did she work together beautifully with her coach to utilize relaxation methods during her marathon: Yes! Did she give that giant uterus air each time a contraction started: Yes! Did her cervix hit a speed bump we call Natural Alignment plateau: Yes! Did she & Todd make some awesome decisions which kept them out of the O.R.: YES! And, before they knew it, it was time for Todd to help hold a leg and mom to push her baby out. I could not be more proud of Todd & Melissa. They trained, they applied, & they succeeded. She didn't have a 9 & 1/2 lb baby as the ultrasound & doctors eluded. She didn't need an induction as they suggested and she didn't need surgery to get the baby out. What she did need was a loving encouraging coach by her side helping her make good decisions that were best for mom & baby not anyone else or their schedules. A man who cared enough to not only help create a new life but also help bring that life into the world with as few medical interventions as possible. It's what we call the safest right of passage of baby into the world. It's not always free of all intervention, some are medically necessary. It's not always free of medication, some are necessary. We didn't create the process of birth nor try to change it. We just tried to stay out of the uterus' way and allow the big bag of muscle to work. On a very special fellow's birthday(Todd's dear friend) a new life was born. An 8lb 13oz baby girl. A very alert newborn. A bun in the oven- cooked like a turkey till she was done. A perfect infant child with ten fingers & toes emerged right into the arms of her hard working dedicated mother. Something tells me this perfectly round "basketball" that bounced only when she was ready to play the "labor game" has found herself in the court of two very special parents both ready to coach her through life. Baby Eliza Jane, you began your last day in the womb in church with your mother & your father and you shall be blessed... For the bible shares in Psalm 139:13, You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. And in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord... and personally as your mom & dad's doula, being present when you took your very first breath, I am pleased to announce your arrival. In addition to mom & dad, Mrs. Pamela Sauls loves you and I welcome you into our www.YourBirthHelper.com ‪#‎BIRTHFAMILY‬ #DoulaAssistance #PregnancyEducation #EpiduralFreeBirth #HusbandCoachedChildbirth #Doula #DoulaAssistedBirth #BirthWithoutFear #hospitalbirth #DrugFreeBirth #naturalbirth