Mika's Birth Story

March 6th, 2006

Dear Mika,

This is the story of your birth...

Your mama is a very wise woman and she knew that you were going to come early! The doctors had guessed that give or take a little you would arrive around the 23rd of March.

Early in the morning on March 5, your mama woke up and discovered that her water had broken. There was a brief consultation with the nurses at the hospital and myself, and then your parents headed off to the hospital...

You let us know that you were almost ready to come by breaking the water but you were still very high up in your mama's pelvis. This gave the doctors some concern and they insisted that your mama stay at the hospital, but she really wanted to go home!

Your parents were very brave and let all the hospital staff know that they were going to wait until you were ready to come, as they were sure you would come when you were ready.

By 3 o'clock that afternoon your parents were ready to see a friendly face and have some support, so your dad called me to come to the hospital. I stayed with your parents until 10:00pm and then doula Sheri came to spend the night. Your mama rested and chatted with Sheri and your dad, she even did some walking to see if she could get labour started. Your parents are patient, strong and very loving.

At 6:30 in the morning Sheri called to let me know that your were not here yet and that I should come back to the Hospital.

I arrived about 8:00am just as your parents were heading into a delivery room. The time had come to get labour started seriously and your mama felt that she was agreeing to the medication, on her own terms.

Your mama and dad had showers and got themselves ready physically and emotionally to do the work they needed to do to meet you.

At 9:50 am your mama was given an ocytocin drip and by 12:30pm, she was having regular contractions and they were coming every few minutes. The nurse was impressed because it only took about ¼ the amount of medication that it usually takes to get labour started.

Your mama and dad worked very hard and lovingly to bring you out.

About 2:45 pm your mama asked for help so your dad got her into the shower, where everything changed and your mamas body opened wider and wider.

By 4:30 pm your mama was fully dilated and ready to push! Push she did for 2 hours and 20 minutes! A very helpful nurse suggested a side lying position and that did the trick!

The nurse and the Doctor both commented that it was refreshing to see a woman in labour that did not have an epidural.

Your mama knew that labour is hard work, it hurts and that her body was made to do it and so was yours!

As I said your mama is a wise woman...

Your very first minutes outside of your mamas womb were spent in her arms, with your dad right beside her. We all wept for Joy at your arrival. I have goose bumps now just writing about it! You are a lucky little girl and you are well loved!

It was my pleasure and honour to be present to witness your birth. May you have a long and happy life full of love, laughter and adventure.

With love,

Earthy Birthy Mamas
Doula extraordinaire