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Birth Stories
Brody Franklin
Hello all,
I have to share my amazing birth story of Brody Franklin! After many weeks of this baby being in many different positions - breech, transverse, and head down, transferring to Nancy (midwife) at 37 weeks, preparing for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) natural child birth - I experienced the most beautiful birth experience! An entire "village" helped me in preparing and giving birth! I am so thankful to so many people in my journey to have a peaceful birth!
I went into labor as I was shopping around noon on Wednesday, the 20th of June, the day after my due date. By the time I got through the grocery store, I was concentrating through contractions, but able to function. I was quite excited, wanting to believe I was in labor, but not quite sure I really was.
I came home, called my doula, my partner and Nancy. I labored all afternoon and evening at home with contractions coming sporadically (4-10 minutes apart). I had an hour of no contractions early in the evening and then again around 9 pm. I trusted this as resting time and relaxed and enjoyed the break. At 10 pm, I took a bath, had a small glass of wine and went to bed. I continued to labor and could easily breathe through each contraction. At 3:15 am, I had 4 contractions that were significantly stronger and lower in the pelvis. As I stood up to go the bathroom, my water broke with a gush. I was moaning and working hard through these contractions that were coming every 3 minutes. We called Nancy and she said to "get her to the hospital"! We left for the hospital at 3:50 and arrived at Henrico Doctors at 4:15. After the nurse checked me and exclaimed that I was complete (10 cm and 100% effaced), I was ecstatic! It was quite a long car ride trying not to push and now I could! After breathing through the oncoming contractions to let the baby stretch me out slowly, I delivered Brody at 4:44 am! Whew!
It was quite an amazing birth and more than I could have hoped for! I am so thankful for all the experiences through the yoga class on Friday morning with Mary Jo and all the other mama's I met and talked to there. It really is powerful to create a birthing community! Thanks to all of you!
Jennifer K.