Our Newest Team Member; Thank You Midwives
We are so excited to introduce you to our newest team member, Jasper James. Jasper was born a week after his due date weighing in at 9Lbs and 21.5". On this weeks blog we are shining the spotlight on the beautiful people who helped bring Jasper into the world; Our midwives.
(photo courtesy of Desiree Martin Photography)
Our Story
We found out we were expecting at the end of April, 2016 with our second child. While I was overwhelmed with extreme joy I was also hit with feelings of extreme anxiety. All of the memories of what happened when my daughter was born came flooding back. I had a tough delivery and suffered with postpartum depression for the year following. The night we found out we were expecting again my brain went into overdrive. I decided to reach out to some soul sisters I was lucky enough to have connected with in a postpartum support group. One of the first pieces of advice I was given was to call midwifery and try to get a midwife for my prenatal care.
Seeking out a midwife was the best thing I could have done for myself, Jasper and our family. I first contacted Midwifery at City Hospital where I was greeted by Yvette who could be called the den mother of the midwifery program. She asked me a series of questions about my health history and pregnancy and added my name to a large waiting list. From there we waited a few weeks to hear that I had been accepted as a patient and had our first appointment booked. I was lucky enough to be on a team of three, of six, midwives; Alison Kinash, Debbie Mpofu and Romain Abrams. Alison was my primary midwife and Debbie and Romain were alternates should Alison be attending another birth or unavailable to attend my delivery.
During my pregnancy I had appointments with all three of these beautiful women. I developed a connection with each of them and felt comfortable with the care and attention they provided. I was encouraged to ask as many questions as I could, offered countless resources and given every option available for my delivery. About half way through my care we were asked if we would be open to a practicum student joining our team. We were so pleased with the care already being provided that we had no problem bringing Lisa Lycklama aboard. Lisa joined in on all of my appointments and became a very strong support to my husband and I. As my due date approached our appointments increased and I even had a home visit from Alison and Lisa. I felt like a celebrity, but this is just standard practice for them.
(from left to right) Alison Kinash, Jasper James and Lisa Lycklama. Photo by Erin Street
Once we were given all of the options available to us my husband and I decided we would be most comfortable delivering at the hospital. Everybody was very supportive of our decision and helped us navigate that process. I went into labor on Jan 9th, at 41 weeks. It was an incredibly cold day with the temperature at -45 with the windchill. I called the office and told Yvette what was going on. She contacted Alison and Lisa and I was asked to come down so they could assess me there. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon and I called my husband to tell him he'd better come home. He picked me up and took me to the clinic where we found out I was already at 5cm. From that point we drove over to University Hospital and checked in. Alison and Lisa met us at the front desk and we were on our way.
When we got to delivery we were greeted by our lovely nurse, Nichole. She made sure we had everything we needed, checked on baby and supported the midwives with everything they needed. We all thought Jasper was going to be born that evening. My contractions were on top of each other, his heart rate was good and things seemed to be moving along. We tried several different things to get him to move, but he wouldn't budge. After the first round of pushing we found out that Jasper was quite comfortable where he was. He was face up, head tilted back and to the left. By this point I couldn't take the pain and asked for an epidural. I can remember Alison looking at me, having just found out his positioning of our little man and saying "Erin, I 100% support your decision to have an epidural." I chuckle every time I think about this moment. Secretly I think Jasper must have heard what the temperature was and decided he would wait until it warmed up a little.
The anesthesiologist came in around 9:30pm and gave me an epidural. Dr. Ian Jorgenson did a great job, but I'm sure every woman with back labor, who asked for an epidural, says that. He told me there was good news and bad news. The good news was that the epidural was up and running and that I should feel it in about 20 minutes. The bad news was if we had a boy that we would be required to name him Ian. I laughed at that joke about 20 minutes later.
Having the epidural helped me work with my contractions. Alison and Lisa helped me get through each stage that came. They turned the lights down low, had my music going on the bluetooth speaker we brought with us and kept me up to speed with everything that was going on. I remember saying "I don't think I can do this." And Lisa saying "Yes you can." Alison looked at me and said "Erin, this is where you walk through the fire." I'm not sure what it was about that comment, but it put me in to gladiator mode. I felt like the strongest person on earth... Like I could do anything. And after a few hours of very hard work we got to meet our little man. Jasper James was born on January 10th at 4:12am.
I'm not sure how I would have got through delivery without my husband, Kris, Lisa and Alison... And lets be honest, Dr. Jorgenson. I am so thankful to all of those who have dedicated their lives to supporting women and families at such a delicate time. To our team of midwives, nurse Nichole and Dr. Jorgenson, thank you.
(photo courtesy of Desiree Martin Photography)
If you would like more information about midwifery care please visit http://www.canadianmidwives.org/ Or if you would like to help raise awareness and support the March for Midwives please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1824414677823501/ for details of the upcoming rally on March 25th.
Special thanks to Desiree Martin Photography https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=desiree%20martin%20photography
Children's wardrobes provided by http://www.foreverlyyours.com