Birth Stories: KC and Sofia

I'm so excited to begin this series of birth stories.  Every birth is so powerful and unique, each a miracle in its own way.  Between now and our baby's birth in July, I'm going to be sharing a story each week of a beautiful birth to serve as inspiration, education and a point of reflection and source of empowerment.  I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful stories that have poured into my inbox (if you've been considering sharing yours, please do!  I don't know if I'll be able to share them all, but I've read and enjoyed every one and we still have plenty of weeks to share before July!)

KC says of her daughter Sofia's birth, "I get so filled up with joy every time I think about the experience that I feel as if my heart will burst!"  Here is the story in her own words:
My daughter Sofia was born on October 21st 2009 but her story really begins two days before that on Monday. That afternoon I went for my weekly visit with my midwife. I was extremely heavy, tired and wanted so much to get the show on the road! I was feeling anxious and flustered all day. So during my appointment when she told me my blood pressure was a little high, I was afraid she was going to tell me I couldn't give birth at the birth center. She sent me home that afternoon with all the necessary containers to do a 24 hour urine sample to test. When I got home, I cried in my mom's arms for at least half an hour.  She told me to cheer up, that I was going to have this baby tomorrow!

The next morning, which was Tuesday, my mom and I went for my morning walk. I thought it would do me good to get some air. Maybe it would help get things rolling. Halfway through our walk I started feeling twinges as if I had been dancing the twist too much, so my mother let me lean on her shoulder the rest of the way home. Around 1pm I wasn't feeling too hungry, but knew I needed to eat something for Sofia, so I had a salad and then sat on the couch with my mom. Next thing I knew I started having back pain. I thought to myself, "This is funny I've never had back pain with my Braxton-hicks before." Over the next three hours they continued to get stronger and stronger. I walked up and down the halls and rocked in circles on my birthing ball, breathing rhythmically . At 4pm I called my midwife Judith to tell her I had to come in, that my contractions were 2 minutes apart and 60 seconds long. I called my husband and told him to come home right away. By the time he arrived my mom had gotten all of my stuff packed in her car. By 5:00 we were headed to the birth center.

The first thing I wanted to do when I got to the birth center was to take off all my clothes. I felt completely primal, as if being naked was the only way to do this. The birth center here in Tucson is much like a house with a kitchen and 3 bedrooms. I was lucky enough to get the larger room with the tub, as no other births were happening that night. I lay down on the big queen bed and Judith checked to see how far along I was. At 5:30pm I was 60% effaced and 6 cm. At this point I went into a meditative state, paying attention to only what my body needed. My mom and my husband helped to support me and rock with me when I needed it.  Around 7:00 I got into the tub as I my body yearned to float in the water. Judith checked me one more time and with that contraction my sack of water broke. What an amazing release of pressure.  From that moment on I did not get out of the water until my daughter was born. Through deep breathing, I put myself into a state of deep meditation, so deep that I no longer felt my arms or legs. The only part of me I focused on was moving with the waves of my contractions and the in and out flow of my breath. I could only use my eyes to communicate as I felt I could no longer speak.

Around 10:30 I felt the most wonderful feeling in the world: the urge to push. I didn't need to be told when to do it, or how; my body just did it. It felt beautiful and powerful to vocalize with each push.  Occasionally Judith would remind me not to strain my arms when holding my legs and to keep my muscles loose. At this point the heat from my actions became overwhelming and I felt like I was in a sauna. My mom gently fanned me while my husband replenished the ice water wash cloths I had on my forehead and chest. When the ring of fire came between my legs I knew it wouldn't be much longer before I met Sofia. When she finally came out, Judith pulled her from the water and put her on my chest. She immediately snuggled deeply into my breasts as we waited for the cord to stop pulsing. I was completely amazed by the power of what I had just done, while everyone else was crying with joy, I was basking in the glorious feeling of having joined this ancient club of motherhood. As I held Sofia I said to her,  "We've taken this first amazing leap, now the real journey begins."  After birthing the placenta,  Sofia was handed back to me and we tried breastfeeding for the first time. She latched on like a pro, and the three of us snuggled the rest of the night. I couldn't sleep a wink, I just kept playing the experience over and over again in my head. images from Stock Exchange.