Between contractions she outlined her desires for this birth. It was a curious mix of all the birthing stories she had read over the many years of trying to fall pregnant. As she was a private patient I assured her I could help her with most things on her list but when the actual delivery was imminent her private obstetrician would be called. I was relieved to note her doctor was a favorite of the staff with his combination of excellent obstetric ability and a warm and gentle nature.
It wasn't long before Mrs A's gushing enthusiasm was muted by the hard work of labour. She stopped talking and began humming. She paced slowly between contractions only stopping when I checked her or the baby. We dimmed the lights and threw mats and beanbags on the floor which she would periodically rearrange. Once she realized she was not going to have to fight to get what she so badly desired, she relaxed, turning herself inward and slipping into her own world. This is, of course, the perfect lubricant and labour progressed very rapidly. Leaning forward onto her husband as he massaged her back during a particularly long pause between contractions, she suddenly sat up and announced she had to push.
Like magic, her obstetrician arrived, knocking quietly on the door. I surprised him with the good news and asked if he would like me to turn up the lights and ask Mrs A to get on the bed so he could examine her. He smiled and declined saying " Let's just wait and see what happens". He sat himself unobtrusively in a corner of the room and smiled encouragement.
Mrs A stopped her pacing and began to sway, arms around her husband's neck. With each contraction she would bend her knees, look into her husbands eyes and push. The scene was curiously intimate. Mrs A had long since forgotten her long list and was responding innately to her own personal needs.
It soon became apparent that the birth was very close and although loathe to break this magical moment, I was aware that Mrs A would need to move to the bed to deliver. Dr M was no longer young and asking him to get down onto the floor to deliver the baby was not feasible. I began to set up the delivery trolley and was surprised when Dr M shook his head. Seeing my confusion he came over. "Set everything we need on the mat over there". I couldn't help but blurt out " But you can't " He smiled again and said " A promise, is a promise. "
It took a great deal of care to get Dr M down to floor level and comfortable. He suffered with arthritis in his knees and sitting with them bent was painful. He grabbed one of the beanbags, plumped it up and leaned back. Mrs A was now on her knees, arms still around her husbands neck while he sat on a birthing ball. Dr M waited patiently, rocking forward with each contraction as Mrs A pushed. The baby arrived calmly,without a sound. I asked Mrs A to reach down as Dr M was unable to pass him forward. There was then that familiar moment of suspended time, when the baby opened his eyes, parents and baby made eye contact for the first time. He breathed quietly, curling his fingers around his father's finger. I placed a soft blanket over mother and baby.
And there we sat, obstetrician, midwife and new family in the semi darkness for a full thirty minutes waiting until Mrs A delivered her placenta. Mrs A suddenly seemed to become aware of her surroundings. She handed her baby to her husband and turned. " My dream baby, my dream birth, I can't tell you, I know how difficult that was for you doctor, there are no words ..........." and with that, she leaned forward and put her arms around us both. I heard Dr M, clearly moved, mutter, " A promise..... is a promise".
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