A Missed Birth and a Wreck

Crazy day on Tuesday.  Our second January mama (who was a week and a half overdue) started labor.  I knew it could be fast as she was already dilated to a four and this was her third baby.  So, I started to Amarillo at the first sign of labor, which really wasn't much - just some occasional back pain.  I got half way there (an hour down the road, for those of you not from 'round here) and turned around after I heard things had subsided.  I arrived home and about thirty minutes later got another text saying contractions were strong, but not terrible, and about four minutes apart.  So once again, I got in the car and this time made it 3/4 of the way, when things stopped again.  Normally, I may have continued on to Amarillo to stay with my brother and sister-in-law, but we had our twice-a-month Life Group that night and if I hurried I would just be a little late.  (As you can tell, I love this group!)  So, I started home again.

Just a little ways down the road, I was driving along when a shadow passed over my car.  I thought to myself, is someone passing me?  But the shadow was moving in the wrong direction.  So I glanced in my rear view mirror, and what do I see?  A car - upside-down - flying through the air - nearly landing on my back bumper.  It was sundown and the sun was behind me, so this entire scene was silhouetted.  I didn't see the car coming - and I was on a divided highway, so it must of come across the ditch.  I didn't see the car land.  And, I didn't hear any crash sounds.  It was very surreal.  I immediately grabbed my phone and dialed 911 - which was a first for me.  I kept driving as I wasn't sure of the traffic situation behind me.  My adrenaline was pumping and I could hardly find the words I needed for the 911 operator - but somehow I communicated what needed to be told.  Then I turned around and went back to the scene to give a statement and offer help if needed.  Two troopers and an ambulance raced past me arriving before I did.  Soon there were three ambulances, two fire trucks, several police vehicles, a couple of witnesses and lots of gawkers.  Miraculously, no one was seriously injured.  The car landed upside-down on the other side of a four-lane divided highway!  God deserves a big "Praise God"!

On my way back to the wreck (about 5 miles) I wondered to myself if I hadn't invented the whole thing.  It was that surreal.  I thought to myself, am I under some kind of stress that I'm not recognizing that would cause me to invent a story like this?  What if we keep driving and never find this wreck.  I found these thoughts quite puzzling.  Obviously, they weren't true.  There really was an accident.  But I still find those thoughts disconcerting.

While I waited to give a statement (which I ended up not having to do, as there was a witness who actually saw everything happen), I called Nolan and cried.  Then I drove home.  And was about an hour later to Life Group than I intended.

Later that evening when we got home, another text.  The mama's water had broken and contractions were immediately a minute apart.  I was wiped, but I got back in the car to set out once again.  A short time later my midwife called saying this mama was going fast.  We decided there was no way I could make it - so I turned around and went home.  Thankful for my warm bed, but disappointed to miss another birth.  One thing about midwifery in the U.S. is the close relationships you develop with your clients - and to miss the birth is turning out to be really disappointing.  I hope this doesn't become a habit! 

By the way, this mama delivered a sweet baby girl about 30 minutes after her water broke - the midwife only made there about 15 minutes before the birth.

That was my crazy Tuesday.

Brotherly (and sisterly) Love

I haven't given any Silvey updates lately.  Seems like all I talk about it birth.  While that is a big part of my life right now, it isn't anywhere near as important (or time consuming) as my sweet family.  I just get overwhelmed by all that I could say - and how to narrow it down.

Today I was reminded how much I enjoy my kids.  (I need that reminder every once in a while.)  We did school this morning.  Most days we are finish up with our "morning school" by 11 a.m.  Then we do another 30 minutes to an hour in the afternoon while Benjamin and Willow nap.  This gives us time for the subjects that require more focused attention from me.  Anyway, after morning school Caleb and Isaac decided to build a tent in the living room made out of blankets and furniture and "heavy books" to hold the blankets in place.  I was in the kitchen making lunch.  As I listened to their planning, and trial and error, and "let's try this" conversation, I was again so thankful that they are such good friends.  Don't get me wrong, it's not always so evident that they are friends, but in the simple moments it shows! 

It's not just Caleb and Isaac who are friends.  Today Benjamin had the flu and stayed in bed most of the day.  Willow played with Caleb and Isaac, but later in the day when Benjamin was feeling better, Willow was giddy - dancing around the living room - as her best buddy was back in action.

And I could go on about the special relationships between each of the siblings.  I pray God's protection over them - and that they will all always be friends.

Come on Baby...

Home birth #4 complete.  About a week ago my midwife called to say one of our mamas was in labor.  It wasn't the one I was expecting.  But the one due at the end of the month.  But according to dates she was 37 weeks so she was a go (and according to sonogram dates she was 40 weeks).  This first time mom labored like a champ...ALL day.  She dilated slowly and stayed in control.  Took some time in the tub.  Ate a few bites of fruit.  Drank gatorade off and on.  Tried different positions.  Walked.  All the right things.  But nearing the 24 hour mark she still wasn't complete.  And she was tired.  My midwife discussed the options with the mama and dad.  And they agreed if things didn't change in the next hour we'd proceed to the hospital.  The last thing you want is a mama who is too tired to push.  Nothing changed.  So we went to the hospital.  Well, I didn't.  I went home.  To many midwives (or apprentices) in a hospital can make the staff a little uncomfortable.  The mama was given a low dose of pitocin and her contractions were a bit more effective.  Still it took several hours to go from a 7 to complete.  Then she pushed and pushed and pushed.  Just before sun-up her sweet baby made her debut.  30 hours after labor began.  This mama and her husband were troopers.  They managed to achieve their goal of a natural birth (without pain meds) even through all of that.

I learn so much from each birth.  This one was a little harder on me.  In the moment we couldn't see anything else that would help this mama along.  In hindsight, maybe some nipple stimulation to get the oxytocin (natural pitocin) flowing would have helped?  But it seemed like her contractions were consistent and effective.  Maybe, maybe not?  I was so disappointed to labor so closely with this woman and not be there for the delivery.  It's like I missed out on the prize.

Oh, and one more unusual thing about this birth.  The electricity went out in the house for about two hours.  We were in the dark and it was cold.  I put the mother-in-law and sister-in-law in charge of figuring out a solution.  He he he....  They found some orange extension cords dragged them to the neighbors (who were not home) and helped themselves to their outside outlets.  It let us power a room heater and a lamp in the birth room.  Everyone else remained in the dark and the cold.  I loved their ingenuity!

Oh and one more thing.  I took my neonatal resuscitation program course.  I should get my card in the next week or two.  Very interesting!