Born in the Water
Welcome Glenna Eleanor!
When — October 15, 2022
Where — OHSU, Portland, Oregon
“Not convinced I’m fully in active labor yet… but things are happening!”
read Katelyn’s text to me just after 10 pm on Friday, October 14th. I was climbing into bed when I saw her text and assured her I was fully prepared to be out the door in minutes when labor picked up. About 20 minutes later, she texted me again to let me know contractions had “ramped up super fast!” and she and her husband, Jedd were on their way to the hospital.
After confirming in triage that Katelyn was, in fact, in labor (and 5 cm dilated!) she let me know she was being admitted. This was thrilling news as Katelyn’s previous labor with her firstborn was days long and at a birth center that resulted in a hospital transfer. We were all hoping that labor would be faster this time around and she was determined to proceed with a water birth with as little intervention as possible.
When I arrived shortly after 1 am, the room was dark and quiet. Katelyn rocked gently on a birth ball next to the bed while her husband massaged her hips. Contractions were strong and about 3 minutes apart and she and Jedd breathed through each surge together.
The city lights glistened just outside the window as Katelyn welcomed each wave that brought her baby closer to the world.
By 2 am, the contractions became much more painful and Katelyn sought comfort in the hospital room’s tub while the nurses prepared the birth tub. One of the nurses brought in flameless tealights and draped string lights around the bathroom to gently illuminate the space.
Katelyn was on all fours and as each contraction came, she kept her breath steady while Jedd held the water over her back and hips.
Since the birth tub required using the bathtub’s faucet to fill it, Jedd and the nurses got creative by filling buckets of warm water for him to gently pour onto Katelyn during her contractions.
After about a half-hour in the bathroom, Katelyn and Jedd moved to the bed to work through the contractions as the birth tub continued filling (these tubs take a long time to fill!)
As Katelyn moved through several positions on the bed, Jedd moved with her and provided gentle counterpressure during each contraction. Things were certainly ramping up!
By 3 am, the birth tub was finally filled and Katelyn was, at last, able to labor in the water. She rested her head on the side of the pool in between her contractions. Jedd leaned in and provided counterpressure, and encouragement, and held a fan to cool Katelyn.
After a half hour in the tub, Katelyn was feeling too warm and moved back to the bed. This is when things really picked up! With a roar, Katelyn let the entire birth team know that she was in transition. Baby girl was going to be here SOON!
Determined to deliver in the water, Katelyn, with the help of her nurse and Jedd, lowered herself back into the warm birth tub.
This was the painful part. Katelyn held combs tightly in her hands to counteract the labor pains. She and Jedd were in sync with their breaths and when she wanted to hold her breath or scream out, he calmly brought her back into the moment. He held her gaze and kept her calm and present.
It was 4 am and it was almost time to meet their baby girl.
Katelyn was in pain. Through tearful eyes, she told us, “I can’t do it!”
“Yes! You can! You’re already doing it!” her midwife told her.
Another painful contraction and her midwife encourages her to push with her body. “Reach down!” she says. “Do you feel your baby?”
Katelyn touches her baby girl for the first time. With another push. Baby’s head is almost out. Katelyn doesn’t let go of her baby. She takes a deep breath and prepares for another push. Jedd holds tightly onto Katelyn’s shoulders. The nurses and midwives surround them and offer encouragement. She’s doing it!
Katelyn breathes in and bears down. With a roar, baby’s head is born.
“I’m going to pass out!” Katelyn exclaims as she locks eyes with her midwife, “I need your help!” With this, Jedd supports Katelyn and the midwife reaches in to help deliver baby girl.
Katelyn passed out for only a few seconds and when she came to, she gave another push and baby Glenna fully entered the water. Katelyn reached out as her midwife handed her a beautiful baby girl. Glenna Eleanor is born at 4:10 am on October 15th, in the water, after a short, unmedicated labor.
Katelyn stands up in the tub holding Glenna. Glenna hasn’t let out a big cry yet and the nurses let Katelyn know they will need to get Glenna’s airways cleared. The respiratory team rushes in and Glenna is quickly placed on the warmer while the nurses work to clear her airway. It doesn’t take long before Glenna lets out a big cry and lets Katelyn (who is across the room) know that she is strong and healthy.
As the nurses continue helping Glenna, the midwives and Jedd help Katelyn onto the hospital bed to prepare to deliver the placenta. Jedd goes over to Glenna and the nurses assure him she is okay.
At 4:16, after a quick swaddle, an RN gently places Glenna in Jedd’s arms. Glenna gazes up at her dad for the very first time and Jedd slowly walks to be beside Katelyn in the hospital bed. He places Glenna on Katelyn’s chest for skin-to-skin.
By 5 am, the room is calm. Katelyn holds tight to Glenna while Jedd notifies the family of her arrival. Katelyn nurses Glenna for the first time- a baby is hungry after all that excitement! I leave for a few moments to give them time to soak up all of the fresh baby snuggles.
At 6 am, Jedd and Katelyn snuggle up to Glenna and I snap their first photo together. We all adore Glenna’s squishy ears! A few moments later, the nurses return to perform the newborn exam on Glenna (who is not happy to be taken from her mom’s warm snuggles.)
After Glenna returns to Katelyn’s arms, I bid my farewells and step back for one last glance at one of the most amazing couples I’ve ever met and their beautiful baby girl.
