A Grandmother's Story

Cyndi, Certified Nurse Midwife in VA

I just had my third grandbaby born on November 12. My daughter had the wonderful support of Lorri Walker, CNM, and her assistant. Without their kind support I would not have been able to participate in my granddaughter's birth. (too hard for me to take care of my own). My daughter's labor had an excruciatingly long phase. Three days of contracting 3-10 minutes. The third night they were getting harder and she had had it. Told us all she would not spend another night like that. Lorri wisely suggested trying to get her labor to completely stop for a time and it would likely kick back in when she got up. (My daughter was at 40+1 wks, c/4/+1) she took a bath, they spaced out to non-existent, only very mild contractions, she slept 3 hours. When she got up, she felt refreshed and ready to go. Not much labor, back to the old pattern. I swept the membranes, she walked, when she returned, hubby and she did nipple stimulation, 5 hours later she was holding her darling, healthy, baby girl in her arms.

Lorri had made suggestions how to stop/slow labor so my daughter could rest. For my daughter, the bath with lavender oil did the trick.

Long labors are always such a challenge. I think it is an art to know when to push for labor and when to rest. Luckily for this tired, concerned, grandmother, her daughter's midwife had the objectivity to practice her art well.

If you had a baby with the midwives at South Coast Women's Health Care, we'd love to include your birth story here! You can submit photos and the story to: info@southcoastmidwifery.com

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