Birth Story Of konrad caldeR

There is not a library big enough on earth to hold everyone’s birth story. I just love and embrace the different emotions. It’s a range of pure organic bliss all the way to difficult and traumatic.

Here is part of my story... I was on the journey of trying to get pregnant with my second child, but hit a roadblock. I ended up needing surgery to fix it. After not being successful conceiving, my husband and I were referred to a fertility specialist. Once there, I believe I let my guard down. I found out after our first appointment that I was pregnant!

I, like most women, had a regular OBGYN. Although she was awesome, she was very concerned about a significant pelvic injury I sustained with my daughter’s birth years before. I had a very challenging first birth that took years and years to (mostly) recover from. Whenever I share her birth story, everyone reminds me how lucky I was to have had her vaginally at all. I worked so hard for her then, but suffered afterwards.

My OBGYN recommended a planned cesarean. I accepted that answer at first.

Your body, if connected to it, will guide you. I felt a pull that there might be a way to deliver naturally, despite my obstetric history and my doctor’s compassionate advice.

Although we were in the midst of COVID-19 craziness, our family found one of the best doulas in the country, April Kline. She instantly helped guide me and my broken-self to the light of natural childbirth. I then decided to get a second opinion about my birthing options. I became a patient at a different OB’s office where a nurse midwife agreed that I could attempt to deliver naturally. Yayy!! Progress.

The problem was, that I might not be able to have our doula April at the hospital. I also knew that in the hospital, I could be pulled into interventions that I was really hoping to avoid. Now I fully believe that western medicine can be beneficial in certain situations. I’m pretty balanced between the two philosophies in my life. But, birth is just such a sacred experience - and I was really hoping to do it on my terms. I wanted to learn to trust my body again. I also wanted to relax on this journey. I didn’t want to be so stressed out with all the current COVID-19 rules in place.

I wanted to be deeply cared for as a whole human being.

That’s where Emily entered my journey.

I had been familiar with home birth, but wasn’t sure if I would even be a candidate after my history. Emily had been so swamped with women scrambling to change their birth plans due to COVID. We called her - desperately hoping she would take us on. She told me she was full, but after talking with us (of course she instantly loved us! ;), agreed to walk with me on this journey anyways. It was the most exciting and peaceful decision we had yet. We met with her right away. We knew this was the right decision for us.

She held our family’s hands through so many questions and road bumps. When issues arised, she offered advice and solutions to remain low-risk. It took work on my end, but I was committed! Her experience, knowledge and kindness are unlike anything you will find in a general practitioner. For the rest of the pregnancy, our family’s visits to her office were the highlights of the pregnancy. Just having someone that is so present and engaged in your care makes such a difference in how you enter your birth space. I felt safe and deeply cared for.

Fast forward to my labor: It was finally the night that I had been preparing for. All I could do for about 5 hours of intense labor was scream in pain! It. Was. Fierce. I puked a lot - and could barely eat or drink. With encouragement, I took small bites of an English Muffin (the only thing that sounded good in those moments) and sipped some Liquid IV.

Although I knew that -only I- could do the work, I never felt alone.

Konrad was high and not engaged in my pelvis. Emily always offered solutions. At one point, around 4:00am, her and April worked together as Emily flexed his chin and tucked his head behind my pubic bone. Afterwards, Emily helped me with abdominal lifts on the wall to help him engage.

Together, we felt him sink down into my pelvis during the third contraction! I got into the pool quickly!

Konrad was having some trouble navigating down through my body. So, Emily literally held my pelvis open for the next few contractions, making space for him to be able to come down safely, protecting him and I both upon his descent. I roared him out, withOUT injury, at 4:58 am!

Sacred, Primal, and Powerful!

I pulled him up to my chest. We were instantly in love. I was in awe that I really just did that! He was safe. He was here. I had done it!!!

I felt so supported by my husband, my doula, and my midwife. It was so very special to have my daughter held high to witness her brother’s birth as well. What a special morning that was!

Emily and her assistant Katie went above and beyond to handle everything so seamlessly. They were always one step ahead of what needed to happen. The set up of the birth pool in our home to the clean up afterwards was so impressive.

Emily is such a light in this world - and her work bringing souls into this world (even if it’s holding open your pelvis to help your baby come out) is beyond words. I wish every child had the kind of experience that my son did coming into this world.... so provided for. Thank you Emily. Our family is eternally grateful.