Birth Story 1
Maya Elizabeth Laing
By Jessica Laing Maya Elizabeth Laing – born peacefully at home January 27, 2007. The story of your birth… Labor came in stops and starts all week long. Every evening as the sun went down, the contractions got strong. I slept less and less each night, using a hot rice pack to keep the low back pain down. My crampy low back would spread across my full pregnant belly, tightening it like a drum. These night contractions were enough to send me walking the floor. As the sun came up each day it slowed way down, and I spent the day doing a little of this and a little of that. I finished knitting my blue sweater, several baby hats, and made pretty thank you’s for my blessing way. |
About a week and a half before you were born the midwife said you had settled in my pelvis. It made it hard for me to walk and move, but with more space for my stomach, I was hungry to eat and be strong for your birth.
Inside, you tucked your chin and pressed your head against my cervix, starting to open me up for your birth. (At my prenatal check up on Wednesday January 24th I was dilated to 3 cm. On Thursday morning I began leaking amniotic fluid). We worked hard together to help you be born.
On Friday the 26th, the day just before the night you were born, Justin and I woke up early, before the sun was even up. It was a thick foggy morning. We had our breakfast and I had a castor oil milk shake to nudge you along your way. Then when the chickens were just hopping out of their house to meet the day, we bundled up in our warm coats (I could just barely zip up over you), got Chai’s leash and went walking. My body was so full of you, we walked very slowly down to the water – January wind blew hard in our faces and we wondered if today was the day you would be born.
When we got back to the house Denise the acupuncturist came and gave you another nudge along the way. I laid on the couch with the OM-OM-OM sounding in the back ground. I chanted along, opening my throat to help my body open for you. Then Carolee (your midwife) and Olivia came to visit. They checked on you and sent us out walking again. Your Daddy and I went walking up the street (5th Avenue) and talked about houses-what a lovely home we had made for you and how we had all that we needed to be ready for your arrival. We were thankful for:
Our hearts were open for you. As we walked down Legion Way, towards home, the trees were bare overheard, and the sun was shining in the blue sky. We passed by some bulbs shooting up to meet the spring, a Rhododendron with pink buds opening. We talked about how long we had been wanting and waiting for you. We remembered the first day we knew you’d be coming to be with us. On that day in May, we took a walk bursting with excitement and full of wondering about our new life.
I loved everyday carrying your life inside my body, up until the end when we were so eager to meet you. We remembered that at first you were our own sweet secret. Slowly we learned to share you with the world a little at a time. We had been thinking about this day, your birthday for a long time.
After this walk, we had some food and rested, thinking that there was much hard work ahead. (At 6pm I had dilated to 4cm)
As the sun went down that day, the work started to get a little harder. Carolee checked on you and sent us out walking one more time. We went two blocks over and hurried back. Then we ventured out one more time. It was starting to feel strong, and I was going SLOW-stopping to squat and breathe in the dark on the sidewalk. You were opening my body more and more. We were getting so much closer to meeting our sweet girl.
We only made it half way around the block this time, and had to cut back through the ally on the way back. I came back in active labor and knew that sooner than later you would be born. I traveled around the house trying to find the right spot to be. I felt sick and knew there was no turning back. This is what we had been waiting for.
Your Daddy called Nana and Auntie Kathy and started to fill the birth tub. Soon I didn’t want him away from me. We were all doing this work together. (7pm)
At 9pm Nana and Kathy showed up while I was on the bed. I was opening my throat and finding my labor noises-low and powerful. Your Daddy stayed strong and right there with us through each contractions. You were being squeezed tight now and had your mama working hard to get you down and out. You were a strong baby and also working hard to be born.
Now the tub was ready. It was such sweet relief to get down in the warm water. The contractions were working on us hard and fast now. Your Daddy put the chanting back on and I worked hard to keep my body and my sounds OPEN! And relax a little with each break.
Soon the feelings were changing and so were my sounds, I was pushing.
Pushing was hard and strong and felt good!
“I’m working hard to birth my baby” “I want to meet my baby”
I thought it was too soon to push-oh no how to stop when it felt so good.
Carolee had me feel inside for you and you were right there about an inch from my opening. It was time to be pushing out my baby.
The candles were burning on the window in your room. Sweet beeswax for my almost Candlemas baby. My pushing sounds were strong and they worked.
“I’m working hard for my baby” “I want to meet my baby”
Your papa was right there with us- your heart stayed beating strong and we were not afraid.
I asked how many more and Carolee said “The right amount.”
Now it was time to get out of the tub. You would be here soon.
Papa and Auntie Kathy helped me out. I had to stop and push along the way.
They held me like a chair, and you kept working you way down.
Did you know it would be soon?
On the bed, the pushing and working took over. I closed my eyes and roared. I felt your sweet head and rubbed your hair. "I want to push this baby out." I felt my body open more and more to let you out. It burned and Carolee held ginger tea to your head. It felt warm and opening.
Soon your whole head was born, your Daddy looked into your face for the first time and so did Nana and Grandma Karen. I touched you and knew I would really meet you soon. You made a sweet little noise, but you were still asleep to this world.
Did you say goodbye to the other realm?
Next your shoulders and then you were here suddenly on my belly-wet and wonderful. Your eyes were open and looking for mine. We met again in a new way. This was one of the happiest moments of my life.
They covered you with blankets and I wanted you closer, but your cord was short. After a few minutes when you got all the blood, then Daddy cut the cord and I brought you all to way up to me. Your head smelled like ginger. You were here and we were all together. You were a familiar stranger at first. I don't think I expected you to be so unknown at first, After a while I checked and you were a girl. We covered your head with a hat, and started to care for you out here.
We didn't wash my fluids from you for three days. I loved the scent of you from me, and wanted soak it all up. You found a finger right away to suck, I think you had been practicing. You also sucked at my breast and had your first meal.
Everything is brand new, and you feel just right.
Inside, you tucked your chin and pressed your head against my cervix, starting to open me up for your birth. (At my prenatal check up on Wednesday January 24th I was dilated to 3 cm. On Thursday morning I began leaking amniotic fluid). We worked hard together to help you be born.
On Friday the 26th, the day just before the night you were born, Justin and I woke up early, before the sun was even up. It was a thick foggy morning. We had our breakfast and I had a castor oil milk shake to nudge you along your way. Then when the chickens were just hopping out of their house to meet the day, we bundled up in our warm coats (I could just barely zip up over you), got Chai’s leash and went walking. My body was so full of you, we walked very slowly down to the water – January wind blew hard in our faces and we wondered if today was the day you would be born.
When we got back to the house Denise the acupuncturist came and gave you another nudge along the way. I laid on the couch with the OM-OM-OM sounding in the back ground. I chanted along, opening my throat to help my body open for you. Then Carolee (your midwife) and Olivia came to visit. They checked on you and sent us out walking again. Your Daddy and I went walking up the street (5th Avenue) and talked about houses-what a lovely home we had made for you and how we had all that we needed to be ready for your arrival. We were thankful for:
- Our loving families
- Our love for each other
- Our community of Olympia
- Our supportive friends and neighbors
Our hearts were open for you. As we walked down Legion Way, towards home, the trees were bare overheard, and the sun was shining in the blue sky. We passed by some bulbs shooting up to meet the spring, a Rhododendron with pink buds opening. We talked about how long we had been wanting and waiting for you. We remembered the first day we knew you’d be coming to be with us. On that day in May, we took a walk bursting with excitement and full of wondering about our new life.
I loved everyday carrying your life inside my body, up until the end when we were so eager to meet you. We remembered that at first you were our own sweet secret. Slowly we learned to share you with the world a little at a time. We had been thinking about this day, your birthday for a long time.
After this walk, we had some food and rested, thinking that there was much hard work ahead. (At 6pm I had dilated to 4cm)
As the sun went down that day, the work started to get a little harder. Carolee checked on you and sent us out walking one more time. We went two blocks over and hurried back. Then we ventured out one more time. It was starting to feel strong, and I was going SLOW-stopping to squat and breathe in the dark on the sidewalk. You were opening my body more and more. We were getting so much closer to meeting our sweet girl.
We only made it half way around the block this time, and had to cut back through the ally on the way back. I came back in active labor and knew that sooner than later you would be born. I traveled around the house trying to find the right spot to be. I felt sick and knew there was no turning back. This is what we had been waiting for.
Your Daddy called Nana and Auntie Kathy and started to fill the birth tub. Soon I didn’t want him away from me. We were all doing this work together. (7pm)
At 9pm Nana and Kathy showed up while I was on the bed. I was opening my throat and finding my labor noises-low and powerful. Your Daddy stayed strong and right there with us through each contractions. You were being squeezed tight now and had your mama working hard to get you down and out. You were a strong baby and also working hard to be born.
Now the tub was ready. It was such sweet relief to get down in the warm water. The contractions were working on us hard and fast now. Your Daddy put the chanting back on and I worked hard to keep my body and my sounds OPEN! And relax a little with each break.
Soon the feelings were changing and so were my sounds, I was pushing.
Pushing was hard and strong and felt good!
“I’m working hard to birth my baby” “I want to meet my baby”
I thought it was too soon to push-oh no how to stop when it felt so good.
Carolee had me feel inside for you and you were right there about an inch from my opening. It was time to be pushing out my baby.
The candles were burning on the window in your room. Sweet beeswax for my almost Candlemas baby. My pushing sounds were strong and they worked.
“I’m working hard for my baby” “I want to meet my baby”
Your papa was right there with us- your heart stayed beating strong and we were not afraid.
I asked how many more and Carolee said “The right amount.”
Now it was time to get out of the tub. You would be here soon.
Papa and Auntie Kathy helped me out. I had to stop and push along the way.
They held me like a chair, and you kept working you way down.
Did you know it would be soon?
On the bed, the pushing and working took over. I closed my eyes and roared. I felt your sweet head and rubbed your hair. "I want to push this baby out." I felt my body open more and more to let you out. It burned and Carolee held ginger tea to your head. It felt warm and opening.
Soon your whole head was born, your Daddy looked into your face for the first time and so did Nana and Grandma Karen. I touched you and knew I would really meet you soon. You made a sweet little noise, but you were still asleep to this world.
Did you say goodbye to the other realm?
Next your shoulders and then you were here suddenly on my belly-wet and wonderful. Your eyes were open and looking for mine. We met again in a new way. This was one of the happiest moments of my life.
They covered you with blankets and I wanted you closer, but your cord was short. After a few minutes when you got all the blood, then Daddy cut the cord and I brought you all to way up to me. Your head smelled like ginger. You were here and we were all together. You were a familiar stranger at first. I don't think I expected you to be so unknown at first, After a while I checked and you were a girl. We covered your head with a hat, and started to care for you out here.
We didn't wash my fluids from you for three days. I loved the scent of you from me, and wanted soak it all up. You found a finger right away to suck, I think you had been practicing. You also sucked at my breast and had your first meal.
Everything is brand new, and you feel just right.