Well this is for all the long time list readers who may appreciate the significance of it!
On Thursday this week the phone call I had been waiting so long for finally came and my first client who was planning to birth at home rang to say she was in labour. She lives in a neighbouring town and as her previous labours had been short she asked me to come. By the time I arrived she was in good labour and things appeared to be progressing quickly. Despite good labour she then felt as though things were at a standstill and asked for a VE at 2pm. (8cm). Pleased but frustrated at the same time she plodded on. Three older children came home from school and after having snacks provided by grandma went off to basketball and netball practice. talk about birthing being a part of everyday life. don't these kids understand that. By 5pm she was getting tired (and still an anterior lip that wouldn't budge). Finally at 6pm she had an urge to push and after experimenting she found that only by standing and squatting could she move him at all. It was just so beautiful to watch as she encouraged that baby to navigate its way out. It took an hour of deep concentration before the head was on view and she gently birthed a head that felt like it kept coming for ever. Jarrad (4580gms) arrived at 1908 to be greeted by his mum and dad, then big sister and brothers and grandma( herself a midwife) and within minutes the rest of his grandparents, great grandparents etc all of whom had been next door at great grandmas house. (Dad ran in and told them to come quick and when they all arrived to find Mum sitting on the bathroom floor with baby in arms they were tickled pink until they realised that he was still attached by a strongly pulsating cord). I must admit that the grin on my face was probably as big as the parents. Life is full of great moments and firsts will always remain special to us. This goes down as one of them. Andrea Quanchi -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
