Kiran’s birth story by Shela
Born Feb. 25, 2010 at 10:11 am
7 lbs. 1 oz., 19 inches

I began my maternity leave on February 1 even though she wasn’t due, according to the ESTIMATED DUE DATE (EDD), until February 15. I relaxed a lot, continued my yoga practice and received regular massages and energy work.

I also began my weekly prenatal appointments with Corina. Everything was progressing perfectly! I just knew I would have an amazing natural water birth. As the EDD approached, I felt myself and everyone around me growing more anxious and impatient to meet Kiran.

At each appointment she had been in proper position for a vaginal delivery. I kept hearing stories of all these women whose babies turned breech or never turned anterior. They were all scheduling C-sections at the advice of their OB. Most of them reluctant to do so, yet, felt their doctors knew what was best. I talked to a few of these women and encouraged them to try alternative approaches to get their baby to turn.

On Tuesday, February 17, 2 days after the EDD, I went for my weekly prenatal appointment. Corina wanted to check me. She took quite some time and had some look of concern. “I think she turned breech” Corina said to me. I knew she wouldn’t joke about something like that. I couldn’t believe it. My heart dropped to the floor. I felt completely devastated. Tears of sadness and despair filled my eyes and cheeks.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would need to apply those techniques I described to other women to turn MY OWN breech baby. Once I gathered my emotions and thoughts, Corina and I discussed all of my options. I was determined to experience the miracle of childbirth naturally, however, only knew of one doctor in Miami who would deliver a breech baby. I knew in my heart that she would turn with a little help and guidance from her momma.

That afternoon, I went for an ultrasound which confirmed that she was footling breech. Corina ordered me some Pulsatilla from a local homeopathic pharmacy. Lynn had some moxa sticks at home. I wanted to begin working to turn my baby that evening, so, I gathered my birthing team. I cried throughout the day in disbelief that I was going through this at 40 weeks.

On Wednesday, I took the Pulsatilla all day, used the moxa sticks, prayed, chanted and visualized my baby turning. I even gathered my friends for love and support. It was a fun night. We laughed and played as Benicio pretended to smoke the moxa stick, Arthur held the bag of frozen peas to my belly, and Lynn positioned the pillow under me to tilt my pelvis.

On Thursday, I felt Kiran more active inside me. After lots of research, faith and prayer, I decided to go to a midwife who would perform an external cephalic version (manually turn her from the outside). The experience was beautiful and pain free. I was confident that the process worked. Friday morning I went for an ultrasound and she was ready to be birthed!!!!

I decided to rest for the next few days and enjoy the knowing that once again, I could have my perfect home delivery. Because 42 weeks is usually the cutoff for pregnant women to deliver without intervention at 41 weeks Corina and I began discussing my options. I still knew in my heart that Kiran and I would experience our natural birth. I began taking blue and black cohosh on Sunday. Nothing much happened, so I decided to spend Monday connecting with my baby girl…filling our hearts and souls with light, love, courage, gratitude and surrender; what I knew was necessary to make it through this. I was sure the time was near.

Tuesday morning, February 24, I woke up around 7:30. I began taking the blue and black cohosh remedy again and took it throughout the day. Around 5:00 p.m., I used my breast pump to stimulate my nipples in hopes of getting the oxytocin flowing. I took Eli & Peyton for a long walk. It was a lovely evening. Around 7:30 pm, I began having irregular contractions. How exciting, I knew it was only a matter of time before she would arrive. I called to let Corina know. She seemed just as excited and relieved as I was. She encouraged me to get some rest. I decided to journal a bit and sit on the birthing ball. It was so comfortable and really helped ease the force of the contractions. I spoke to Joe around 11 pm and noticed that I could no longer talk through my contractions. I decided to stay on the birthing ball while in a deeply meditative state, connecting with my daughter and my center.

Because of my preparation, I was able to remain in this peaceful state throughout labor and her birth. I was alone in my room and felt that I needed this time to travel deep within to gather the strength and courage I knew it would take to bring this miracle into fruition.

Around 2:30 am, I called Corina and told her it was time. I told her if this was early labor, I don’t know if I would be able to handle active labor. She assured me that I would do great! I woke Lynn up because I needed her comfort and support. Corina arrived about an hour later and checked my cervix. I was 4-5 cm. She was had been chanting for this success on the way over. Lynn and Corina began to fill up the pool that had been aired up and sitting against my wall for 3 weeks. I labored on while sitting on the ball next to my bed and leaning over on a stack of pillows. Around 5 am, I got into the pool. It felt wonderful, but, after about half an hour the water felt too hot and decided to get out. I labored on the ball for another hour and a half then asked Corina to check me again. 7 cm…WOW! I was progressing perfectly.

I wanted to give birth to Kiran in the water so I got back in the tub. The all fours position was what I instinctively went for, my hips swaying to relieve some of the pain from the contractions that were 4 minutes apart and lasting 60-70 seconds. I was able to rest in between contractions. I had been up now for 24 hours and felt extremely exhausted. There were moments when I felt I could not go through with it. Corina reminded me that there was no possibility of turning back. I continued to talk and laugh between contractions. There was one point before Mary (my other midwife) arrived that I even asked my birthing team if she would have somewhere to park her car. They all laughed at my concern for others at such a time.

Around 8:40, I was feeling the urge to push Corina told me that I was 9 cm with a lip and bulging bag. I pushed for a short time and groaned loudly. It didn’t feel like it was time yet, but, maybe that was just because I was exhausted. Mary instructed me to refocus the energy of my voice into Kiran’s bottom pushing her out my vagina. I labored on for an hour more with contractions that were 5 minutes apart. I needed to push again and my bag of waters broke around 9:40. I felt so relieved and knew that she would arrive soon. Corina and Mary encouraged me to switch positions so I got in a semi-sit position. Her head was visible. I reached down to feel her furry little head and tears of joy filled my heart and eyes. I gave a few more good pushes and my beautiful RAY OF LIGHT, Kiran, entered this world at 10:11 am. Thank you my beloved daughter for your teaching me so much about myself during this process, about the power of love, trust and surrender.