Contrasting Births

Natural

Fast waves are crashing,
carrying her,
demanding surrender
as she gives in to each surge--
she opens.

Water soothes,
bubbles all around and massages
her back as she tries to let go
and surrender to the unrelenting surges.

The breaks are fewer and last only a minute
and I know her time is almost here.
"Hang in there...you're doing it."
"Yes, this is normal", I answer as she questions
her state of being.

Out of the water,
onto the bed...squatting, pushing,
piano sounds fill the room and calm her mind,
her heart.
But they do not make the intensity disappear.

Her husband reassures,
comforts and holds her.

Roaring now,
baby descends lower.
Rushes and surges overtake her and there
is no holding back.

First the head and then his precious
little being slides out as she
reaches down and lifts him to her chest;
her eyes gazing into his for the first time.
They meet.

Uniting- skin to skin.
Ecstasy. Joy and happiness envelope the new
family. They rejoice!

Pain ends.
A new journey begins now.

Medicated

Not what she had planned,
but what she became a part of;
a system, the way things are done.

Overdue.
Lost sleep.
Induction.
Consistent monitoring.
"Stay in the bed, you're on the monitor".

Uncomfortable, wanting to move with the
rushes and surges, but stuck in place.

Artificial contractions...
more intense than the normal.
Ways to cope decreased from restricted movement.

Slow progression,
discouragement.
Pain relief with medication.
Numbing.
Sleeping and rest have come to her, but so have...
pictocin.
More medicine.
More pictocin.

The interventions cascade like a waterfall.
One after the other.

Drug-induced fever.
Fetal distress ensues.

Pushing, long...hard.
Restricted once again of position changes.
Discouragement is higher than ever.
She doesn't believe she can do this still.
"You can do it."
"You ARE doing it."
"You are not allowed to give up. You must believe you can do this."
I have to almost yell at her.
3 and half hours of pushing...

"I can see your baby. You must push him out."
She decides to finally "do" it.
Two more pushes, he crowns...
and then he comes.

Limp and not well.
"Come on, baby"
Swarming all around in the room.
Emergency...intensity like no other.
I say, "talk to your baby"..."let him hear your voice".
He breathes.
They must help him breathe.
He breathes.

Baby is finally well.
He nurses his mommy.
It was long, it wasn't the way she wanted things.
But she did it and now they will do it together as the

Pain ends.
The journey begins.

Note: These were my last two doula experiences.