A 35-Hour Journey from Birth Center to Hospital
On Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 5:27pm, Mia was born to her parents Holly and Josh at St. Charles Birthing Center in Bend, Oregon. This story is told by Holly herself, in her words as well as myself— the birth photographer.
This birth was a truly a love story filled with strength and courage to bring their daughter earthside, but first let’s start from the beginning . . .
How did you prepare for birth?
“Hypnobirthing classes and exercises, tons of reading, walking.”
How did you know that labor was beginning? Where were you and what were you doing?
“I had consistently spaced "cramps" for an hour. Lying in bed trying to get a little more sleep before getting up for the day. They started around 7 am.”
What was your early labor like? What did you do in between contractions?
“Early labor felt just like strong period cramps. I prepared for all the things I knew I wouldn't feel like doing later. I took a shower, washed my hair, put on a little makeup to feel good, ate a big breakfast scramble, watched my big fat Greek wedding and tried to nap.”
Did you reach out to family and friends to let them know your labor had begun?
“A few! Closest friends and family only until it was time to go to the birth center.”
When did your birth team joined you and when?
“At the birth center around 4:30 pm on May 26th.”
At this point contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.
I witnessed incredible strength as Holly worked through some intense back labor.
What positions did you labor in? Did you favor any particular positions?
“Back, sitting upright, ball, toilet, tub, hands and knees. Sitting upright felt most comfortable, bed or toilet.”
Who supported you throughout the birth?
“Josh, Alysa (midwife) Danielle (assistant) and Emily.”
After listening to baby’s tones for a while, it was determined by the Midwives that it was a little too high. Holly made her way to the bed to lay down and receive some oxygen.
When baby’s heart-rate didn't improve, Holly and her birth team made the decision to transfer to St. Charles where they could better monitor Holly and baby.
Holly was working through the intense back labor, and made an informed decision to get an epidural so she could rest.
If you chose cervical checks, when and how dilated were you? Did you have any emotions about your progress? (Excitement, defeat, frustration, surprise, etc.)
“My first check the morning I went into labor at 11 am I was 5 cm dilated. My next one was around 7pm when I got to the hospital and I was still only 5cm. I remember feeling really disappointed and frustrated and the reality setting in of how long this might actually take.”
What was your birthing space like?
“It was supposed to be at the birth center, but ended up being at St. Charles. The little string lights Emily brought were the perfect touch to make it feel warm and not so clinical. There was a big window we could see a thunderstorm from.”
Did you use any visualizations or mantras during your labor? What were they?
“A track from hypnobirthing called rainbow relaxation was something I listened to. Mantra was my body is designed to do this. I kept visualizing the moment Mia would be put on my chest.”
Alysa rejoined us in the morning to provide support.
What did your support persons say to you to that was most encouraging?
“How strong I was and how amazing I was handling all the things that weren't going according to plan.”
When did you start pushing? Did you feel the urge to push or did your providers help tell you when to start?
“Around 33 hours of labor after my water was broken for me. I was still only 9 cm but the urge to push was overwhelming and I felt like I had to.”
After 2 hours of pushing, Holly made the courageous and instinctual choice to birth her daughter via Cesarean.
The face when you’re minutes away from meeting your baby for the first time!
What most helped you through the birth experience?
“Josh. He was so supportive and reassuring and calm. He gently reminded me of our plan but let me make the ultimate decision (epidural, c section) with full support.”
Mia was born at 5:27 pm on Friday, May 27th, 2022.
What was your partner's reaction to your baby being born?
“It was watching someone fall completely in love in a second. I've never seen something so beautiful.”
How did you feel after your baby was born?
“Amazing. I felt like I had just climbed a mountain and was high on endorphins. I had a huge surge of energy, my appetite came back, heart burn was instantly gone. I felt an intense love for my partner and just wanted to be held by him and have sex immediately which surprised me.”
What was it like to meet your baby for the first time?
”Surprising. It didn't feel like I thought it would in the exact moment. She didn't quite look like her ultrasound pictures because of the swelling which I hadn't expected And I couldn't really hold her being on the table from the c section so the whole thing wasn't quite what I imagined. I don't think I had my "moment" with her until about 2 am that night when it was just her and I and she was asleep in my arms after breastfeeding. That's when I felt like I finally "met" her.”
What was it like to deliver your placenta? Did you do anything with it?
“I couldn't see it delivered because of the c section but when I finally did see it later I was in awe that my body had grown it and how beautiful it was. It really did look like the tree of life. It's in our freezer still. We plan to have prints made with it and to plant it with something.”
What was the first hour after birth like?
“A daze. Lots of people coming in and out because of the c section. Not very relaxing and my mind was still trying to process the last 35 hours. I think the hours later in the night when things calmed down were better than the first hour. More quiet time and privacy. I felt like I could finally connect.”
Was there anything that surprised you on the day?
“How well I was able to deal with the changes to the situation and how calm I was able to stay when Mia's heart rate was elevated and when I had the c section. The other big surprise was Mia beingasynclitic when she had been in the perfect position my entire pregnancy.”
When did you name your baby? Why did you give your baby that name?
“We named her before we conceived her on the day we decided to start a family. Josh said he had always liked the name Mia and when he said that I knew I would be Mia's mom.”
