Your Doula's Birth Story

Evelyn Rose Ragsdale

Born September 13, 2009 at 3:24 a.m.

9 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches

Dear Evelyn,

If you are old enough to read this, you already know what an amazing family you were born into. The story of the days leading up to your birth and your birth day is so amazing. God placed you with a very loving, caring family, and I was happy and honored to share in that experience as your doula.

About a week and a half before you were due, I got a call from your mom. She told me she wanted to have a natural VBAC and she felt that your dad and she would like the help of a doula. She had your brother, Graham, by cesarean birth, and after much reading and discussing with your dad, they thought that a doula would be very helpful for them for the birth they desired to have with you. Usually I get weeks to prepare with expectant parents, but these were special circumstances because you were due so soon.

As your "due date" came and went, your mom was visiting the midwives to assure that her pregnancy was still going well and that she and you were fine. Of course, everything checked out and she was given 14 days past your "due date" before the midwives would do any sort of medical intervention.

On Friday, six days past the "due date", your mom had an appointment with the midwives for stress testing. Her cervix was dilated to a four, but you looked just fine and your mom was not in active labor so she went home. At 2:30 that afternoon, I went over to the apartment. Your mom had been taking Castor oil in the previous days, been walking, and was ready for anything more at that point. I worked with your mom for several hours doing acupressure and labor enhancing massage techniques while your dad ran errands and Graham took his nap. Your mom was having contractions and things were seeming to move forward, but when the evening approached, I felt it best to let her rest and try and get a good nights sleep in case labor did come on. I did not want your parents to be too tired for what was ahead.

On Saturday morning, I woke up to find I had not received a call in the night. When I called your mom that morning, she told me she had gotten a good nights rest and that she felt that things had progressed in the night. Your dad, the med student, was checking your mom for dilation. He found her to be looser than the previous day. I told your mom that I would come later that afternoon to work with her more unless her labor started before then. At about 4:00 that afternoon, I went back over to do some more acupressure and massage on her hands and feet. This time not much was happening. The contractions were few and far between and she did not feel as though they were as productive as they had been the day before. Your Nanna and Aunt Kayla arrived at about 8:00pm. They brought over a loaf of bread to bake and the whole place filled with the wonderful smell. Again, I decided that it would be best for her to rest and at 9:00pm I left for the evening with instructions for your parents to take a walk and relax. I know that your mom was trying hard not to become burdened by the time it was taking for you to make your appearance. Until that point, she had been very calm and patient as they waited on your arrival.

On Sunday morning at 2:24am, I received a call from your dad telling me that your mom’s contractions had picked up. I didn't get much information other than they were coming on stronger than ever, but told them I would head over to help them labor at home, and it was their call on whether to head to the hospital at that point. It took me about 10 minutes get dressed and head out the door. I said many prayers on the way. I was unusually calm as I drove down the road in the middle of the night. I had a good feeling that your birth was going to be okay because your parents were allowing their patience and education to dictate their birth decisions. The streets were bare and the rain was falling. The weekend you were born, North Texas had been getting an unusual amount of rain for September. Just as I approached the I-30 to turn left toward the apartment, your dad called and told me they were headed to the hospital. I could tell there was no time for talking and I told him I would see them there. I took a right onto the highway instead of a left and headed to the hospital. I parked in the parking garage, which can be kind of scary at that time of night. My birth bag was in the trunk and I wasn't sure what to take out of it or take the whole thing in. In the days prior, I had been using massage cream and my ipod music and taking notes here and there on a note pad that I kept in the bag. Usually when birth is so imminent, I rarely use anything from the bag. But, I popped the trunk, hurried out of my car, grabbed the bag and got back in my car and locked the doors. I searched for a couple of minutes through my bag before deciding just to take the whole thing in. After all, there is no telling how long these births can last. With my cell phone in hand and my purse and birth bag tucked tightly against me, I headed for the parking garage elevators down to the ground level and into the hospital. I was greeted by a security guard. He asked me who I was coming to see. I said "I am a doula, and I need to get to maternal observation." "A doula?" he replied. Once we got that all straightened out, I was off to meet your parents on the maternity floor. Your Nanna, Dad, and Mom had come in through the ER. I waited in maternal observation waiting room. When I saw your dad behind the double doors I grabbed my things and met him behind the double doors. He rushed past and told me he was headed to the restroom and she was in room 4. I thought I heard room 4, but then I second guessed what I had heard when I got down the hall. Then I heard the moans of a woman in labor and two nurses in the room saying “Estee, don’t push!” I tapped on the door and opened it to be greeted by two voices yelling “move the wheel chair out of the way, the baby is crowning! I pulled the chair into a space in the hall just as they grabbed the bed and wheeled your mom out. As they were running and pushing the bed, they were telling your mom not to push as she held her legs together. I ran with her, leaving Lee behind. I wasn't really sure what to do, but felt she needed me to stay with her. I ran next to the bed and just told your mom to keep breathing and that I was sure Lee would find us. She had sort of a blank look on her face, as in disbelief of what was actually happening. As they rushed her in the bed down the hall, they quickly got the attention of several nurses at their station in Labor and Delivery telling them the situation. About six nurses rushed into the room and I followed behind. We moved off to the side while they got her bed in place and ready for the birth. They pulled up her gown and I could see a little patch of your dark hair. Your Nanna and Dad got to the room and the nurses beckoned us to all come be at your mom’s side. We all squeezed past nurses to get up next to her as she began to push. Your Nanna was at your mom’s head, I was at the left and your dad was to her right. At that point, all I could really do was watch in amazement as your mom gave pushing all she had and with several pushes you made your way into this world.

At 3:24am, just one hour after I received the phone call, your mom was holding you in her arms. She began to feed you right away, and boy, you sure figured that one out fast. Your efforts to breastfeed took little instruction. You spent the next hour or so with your mom as she fed you. Because of some complicated repairs they needed to do with your mom after the birth, they took her back to the operating room at about 4:45am. While she was away, your Nanna took lots of pictures with you and your dad. He was so proud and happy to have you in his arms. Then, the nurse came in to do all the new baby procedures. They weighed and measured poked and prodded before you were bundled tightly and handed off again. At 6:00am , your mom was back. After making sure she was well and doing fine, I left your family to enjoy you and marvel in your amazing birth.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your incredible story. May your life be filled with much love and happiness. You will be such a joy to your family as they watch you grow!

Many Blessings,

Hannah Reasoner, Your Doula