First Catch!

Well, I finally got my first catch! Completely unplanned and by surprise, but my first catch nonetheless!!! I arrived at a birth tonight thinking I had several hours to go. I went upstairs to check on the mom and set up supplies for the birth. I found her sitting on the toilet and wanting to push. So, I said, "OK, well let me get some gloves and I'll be right back." So, I got my gloves on (darned packages are so hard to open when you need them quickly!), and told my laboring mama that she probably would want to get off of the toilet to give birth, so she slid off and onto her knees right beside the toilet. She grabbed me around my neck, and I reached below her to feel her baby's head right on her perineum. The dad said, "what do you need me to do?" I said, "get towels!" Just then, her membranes ruptured and amniotic fluid went everywhere. Next thing I knew, she was pushing the head out, and I was saying things I've heard Peggy say so many times at births, "that's it, nice and slow, just like that..." and out came the head. I reached behind to see if I felt a cord around the baby's neck and to see where the shoulders were. All clear with the cord! The anterior shoulder came under the mom's pubic bone, and I lifted gently to get the posterior shoulder born, then plop right into my hands! Wow! What a rush! I'm so excited that I got to catch my first baby!!!

About a minute later, I looked back at Peggy, who was smiling at what she saw. I knew what to do, but I was so unprepared mentally for what had just happened that it was a huge relief to see her smiling face in the doorway. We worked together to help the mom get to the bed (much more comfortable than the bathroom floor) to deliver the placenta and to nurse the baby.

Dad had filled the tub just before the birth, in anticipation of a water birth. So, instead of laboring in the tub, we helped the mom and baby get in and enjoy a nice postpartum bath by candlelight. It was good for them to have that quite time alone, especially after such a quick birth that took everyone by surprise.

I've always felt a special bond with this particular mama. Her first child was born the same day and year as my last child, so she's extra special to me. I am so happy she was my first catch!