Last night, 02/28/2013, Victoria, Gideon, Esther & I welcomed Tabitha Mercy to our family with a planned homebirth. Tabitha was born at 7:49pm weighing 8lbs and was 21 inches long.
This birth was much different than our two previous experiences with Gideon & Esther. Our previous birth experiences have been pretty fast and labor started soon after Victoria’s water breaking. This time Victoria labored all day at home for more hours than her two previous births combined.
For most of the day her labor was easy enough that Victoria was able to wrap some things up for work while working from home. I even heard her call into a conference call for work at one point. She also took Esther on a long walk around the neighborhood and started baking a birthday cake. By late afternoon things started getting serious and we let the midwives know that we needed them soon. Once again, Mary Lou O’Brien was our midwife, and helped us through the birth. We are really happy she has attneded the births of all three of our children!
After 3 hours of hard labor and with Victoria’s water still intact, the midwife noticed Tabitha’s heart rate was dropping during contractions and became concerned. Mary Lou O’Brien said the baby needs to come out very soon, although Victoria had no urge to push. Mary Lou advised breaking the water bag artificially. Victoria’s water was broken at 7:45pm and she was a champ pushing Tabitha out in 2 contractions! Tabitha was born 4 minutes after her water broke, WOW!!!
Tabitha was in great health! Her heart rate was good and color great! The midwives pointed out though the umbilical cord had a true knot, which was likely the cause of her heart decelerations. We are so thankful that the midwives knew what to do to help the baby out quickly. We are also counting our blessings that Tabitha made it through the whole pregnancy with no cord accidents.
Here is a photo of Victoria trying to relax in between contractions.
Just moments after Tabitha was born
the true knot in the umbilical cord.
Tabitha was very alert and looking around from the moment she was born.
Love this photo of Gideon cutting the cord.
Love this photo of everyone watch during Tabitha’s examination.
Gideon is in love with his new little sister
Tabitha resting after her big day
The next morning with Gideon and Esther holding Tabitha for the first time.
