Birth Stories

 

I sat up watching TV movies of 911 the night before the 5-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. I laughed in bed and thought I would probably have my baby on September 11^th. I promised myself that if I did, I would see it as bringing in new life on a day that needs it most.

 

So at 3:45 am (same time as my first labor) on September 11, 2007 I began having regular contractions. By 5:30 or so I called Dawn with Contraction that ranged from 6-9 minutes apart. She said she would begin heading my way soon. I called a friend to come watch my daughter and she couldn’t come, so I called my mother. My mom is not a huge supporter of my birth choices and I new would be very uncomfortable in my home. My mom showed up very quickly to help take care of my daughter but the stress of having her there slowed and eventually stopped my contractions. When Dawn arrived they were still painful but now 10+ minutes apart. Two more hours passed and they were 20 minutes apart. Dawn had me climb stairs on my hands and knees and go for a walk. Nothing happened. Dawn and I both felt like this was NOT false labor but it had stalled out. 

 

I had everyone leave, ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and took a nap for an hour. By 1PM they were 6 minutes apart again so we called Dawn. My husband was so calm and reassured me that we could handle it for a while and to let Dawn take her time. By 3Pm they were 2-4 minutes apart and I wanted Dawn to be there. She showed up and checked me and I was 7 centimeters. I got into the tub and so did my husband and just like with my first labor I went from 7 to pushing very quickly. 

 

During those moments of complete despair, Dawn looked at me with eyes that calmed me and made me feel so safe. She encouraged me and empowered me through the pushing and 10 minutes later I gave birth to an 8# 3oz little boy. We soaked in the tub for 15 more minutes waiting for my daughter to come back with my mom so she could tell us if she wanted to cut the cord.  She didn’t want to but Dawn involved her in everything from weighing and measuring to checking my temp, blood pressure and her little brothers heart beat. Dawn had always involved my daughter from the beginning at every appointment. My daughter was at ease around her and called her aunty Dawn and to this day still asks if she can see her and says she misses her. We all do. Because of Dawn, we all had a safe, loving and memorable experience.

 

We will always return to her for our future birth experience.

 

The Sandoval Family