The Birth of Rhylo

When I got the call for Rhylo’s birth I was beyond excited. This wasn’t just any birth this was a trial of labour for a home vaginal birth after cesarean (HVAC). That day mama had been contracting on and off. By time evening came the contractions grew stronger and longer however they were still not consistent and had an early labour pattern. I stayed on the phone for a bit to listen as mama breathed through a couple contractions.

There’s a feeling you get as a birth worker when you just know that baby is coming despite what everything points to.

For this mama everything pointed to her being in early labour. Contractions that were sporadic and all over the place. Contractions that started and stoped and slowed right down with position change. But there was just something about the sound of those contractions that told me baby wasn’t too far away from making their appearance.

When I arrived around 11pm contractions had slowed right down and weren’t nearly as frequent as they were. It wasn’t long after that the midwife arrived. Mom opted in for a cervical check to find out where she was at and to our surprise she was 10cm!!!

Now when I say 10cm most women are groaning through each contraction, breathing hard, clenching, some even screaming. Not this mama. This mama was walking around having full conversations with everyone like it was an ordinary day. She even tried to help us set up the birth pool…..until we suggested she rest and let us do it. Talk about being built to birth!!!

Not all labour patterns are the same, not all labours follow the same pattern. There is no right or wrong way to birth, especially when you allow your body to guide and lead you through the process.

Luckily, we were able to fill the pool in time for mama to hop in. It wasn’t long after being in the tub that mama started to involuntarily push. With several pushes Rhylo’s head was born, “The head is out! The head is out!,” she exclaimed. On the next push Rhylo was born into the warm water. The midwife guided mama to pick up her baby out of the water and with the help of the midwives Rhylo was placed in his mama’s arms. And to our surprise he was born en caul (in the sac)! At 1:19am Rhylo was born.

Her midwives guided her to hold baby in the water and allow time for him slowly transition. Mama sat there in the warmth of the pool taking in every moment with her new baby. She did it! She had her vaginal birth after cesarean at home in the water!

When you have a calm birth you have a calm transition and when you have a calm transition you have a calm baby.

This sweet baby didn’t cry when he was born because he had such an incredibly gentle transition. He was pink and had great tone and was absolutely perfect!

After a little while mama felt her placenta start to detach and birthed her placenta herself in the pool, remaining in the pool to continue to allow herself and her baby to slowly transition into a new season; the fourth trimester.

It wasn’t until mama was ready that we all helped her move out of the tub and get dried off and get warm and tucked into bed. Once mama was all tucked in the midwives did a full baby check and weighed little Rhylo. It was after that, that everyone packed up and headed out so mama could get some rest.

The birth of Rhylo was so incredibly healing for this beautiful family. Rhylo’s birth is a beautiful depiction of all that birth can be when we use evidence based practices, are patient with the process and gentle to the transition.

I am so incredibly grateful I was able to document this birth story for this family.

With love,
Kayla.