Birth A

As a newly licensed midwife, I would like to keep a written history of my births. In each case, I will change identifying details, including posting on days or months away from the birth itself. Birth stories are important historically, personally, and in advocacy work. This is one such story, from my perspective as a midwife and women's healthcare provider.The mom had been cared for by another midwife during the morning. She had an epidural and not a lot of urge to push. I introduced myself, and met the incredibly supportive partner who was with her. This was not her first baby, and she was pretty relaxed in the room. I left them alone. Once she started to feel more pressure, I went to see her again. Fully dilated, +2 station. She started to get into the zone, closing her eyes, breathing deeply. We waited.She asked for more direction on when her contractions were coming, because she said she couldn't feel them until they were almost gone, due to the epidural. As she had her partner rubbing her belly, I updated her based on the monitor. I informed her of when one started to build, she took deep breaths in and out, and still did not start to push. We did this for few contractions, and then she started to give small pushes, still with eyes closed, and partner rubbing her belly. She opened her eyes and looked at me, wondering. I told her how great she was doing, that the baby's heart rate was perfect. She smiled and closed her eyes. We waited.A few more contractions, the head still not to the point of crowning, and suddenly she asked if someone was ready to catch the baby. I said I was ready whenever she was. With the next push, the baby's head was born, and one push later the shoulders came out. Beautiful baby, pink and crying out. I placed the baby straight to her belly, and told her how great of a birth it was and how beautiful her baby looked. She gave a thumbs up and smiled.Birth.