Nori Joy's Birth Story: Part One

I know there was no labour involved, but Little Nori Joy was born and the story of birth always deserves to be told.

Milena was hoping to have a VBAC and this was the goal throughout her entire pregnancy. A few weeks ago the ultrasound showed that her placenta may have been growing over the scar from her previous c-section so they booked a section just to be safe. It ended up that the placenta was not over the scar so the obstetrician said it was ok if Milena still attempted a VBAC. They kept the cesarean tentatively booked though in case anything happened. Baby was posterior so Milena did everything she could to try to spin it, but nothing was working and baby was measuring around 10lbs so, based on her history and the fact that Maelle (Nori's older sister) was posterior, over 10lbs, and unable to descend they opted for a c-section. If Milena went into labour before the section date the doctor was ok with her attempting a vaginal delivery, but he said they would quickly move to a c-section if labour was not progressing and the baby was showing signs of stress. A week before the section Milena asked her obstetrician if I could come into the operating room and take some photos during the c-section and he willingly gave his permission.

Milena did not go into labour and so the c-section went as planned. I picked up Sam and Milena in the morning so Milena's mom and Maelle could stay home. We headed to the hospital at around 8:15 and waited. Milena had some bloodwork done and then we waited some more. We had the nurse double-check with the doctor to see if it was still ok for me to come take photos during the c-section and she said that only three of us could go in. So it was Sam, Milena, and one other person -- either the midwife or I. After discussing it with the midwife, Milena decided that she wanted me there to take pictures for her. The midwife was going to wait in the recovery room so she could be with Milena post-op.

So Sam and I donned our scrubs, Milena went pee one last time, and we were off! We sat in the hall outside the OR for a few minutes and the anesthesiologist came and introduced himself (I triple ok's photos with him as I would be standing by him), the pediatrician's resident introduced herself, and the obstetrician came to say hello. We then kissed Milena as she was wheeled through the OR doors and then waited to be summoned.

It felt like we were waiting forever. At one point we were discussing my sister (who used the same midwives Milena did) and her milk-makers. I may have been demonstrating the size of said milk-makers as a doctor walked by. Sam instantly went beat red and the surgeon said, "don't worry I'm a plastic surgeon" to which the midwife called out "yeah, but these are because of milk!" It was nice to have a little comic relief while we waited.

We were eventually allowed into the operating room. Theater 6. Sam joined Milena over her right shoulder on a stool and I was over Milena's left shoulder.... standing by the anesthesiologist. I told him to let me know if I was in his way and he nodded and said that was fine.

And so I made myself comfy. I snapped a few photos. Kept my anticipatory tears at bay. Peaked over the curtain. Wiped a few stray tears away. Watched Milena's monitor. And tried to find an angle to photograph the actual birth.

I watched Sam holding his wife's hand. He rubbed her hand with his thumb and swept the hair from her face.

I peaked over the curtain again and saw the obstetrician pushing and tugging on Milena's tummy and knew the birth was imminent. I readied my camera and battled elbows and tummy's in an attempt to snap the first moments of that sweet baby girl's life.

I saw meconium in the amniotic fluid that erupted from Milena's abdomen and my heart sunk a wee little bit, but then I saw a tuft of hair as the babe's head emerged and heard a small wail even before her head was fully extra-uterine and my heart burst. A babe's first cry is one of the sweetest sounds in all the world. At 12:34pm Milena's perfectly beautiful daughter made her way into the world. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I basked in the newness of the heartily screaming baby girl.

The obstetrician held the little girl up beside the curtain for Sam and Milena to see and then the pediatrician checked her out. Milena asked Sam to wipe her tears away as her arms were secured to the operating table. She wanted to see her baby girl when the time came and her tears were blurring her vision. Sam lovingly did so and he rubbed the top of Milen'a head as they gazed off in the direction of the robust screams of their baby girl.

The anesthesiologist un-velcroed Milena's arms in preparation for her first snuggle with her baby and one of the nurses brought over the lady of the hour.

Watching Milena fall in love with her daughter before my very eyes was indescribable. She got to snuggle for fifteen minutes and she spoke sweet nothings to her baby the entire time. The babe sucked her mama's face and even worked her hand out to hold her ma's finger. The little one kept sticking her tongue out kept licking her Ma. Milena told the babe that her daddy would take care of her while Mommy was resting, but that Milena would join her soon. She told her she loved her and that she had a big sister who was excited to meet her.  The babe kept sticking out her little tongue.

The doctor asked Sam and Milena what the baby's name was. Sam looked at Milena and she nodded her confirmation before he announced the name:

Elinor Alida Joy.

Fresh tears found my eyes as I heard her name as Joy also happens to be my middle name.

Sam followed the little Nori up to the nursery and I stayed with my dear friend while the doctor finished closing her up. Milena was radiating joy and relief and excitement. She looked absolutely lovely and so very beautiful.

When Milena went to PAR to recover I headed upstairs to join Sam nd my Little Joy. I promised Milena that I wouldn't hold the baby until Little Miss and Milena's mother got to meet her so I tried to avoid Sam's attention while I furiously snapped photos of the papa snuggling his newest baby.

I felt like I was imposing as I watched Sam get to know Nori Joy. He was enamored by every part of her little being. Her wails made him smile and I saw his heart soften as her little hand gripped his finger and her eyes focused on his face. Sam cradled Nori in his arms and held her skin-to-skin. He inspected her and commented on how much she looked like her sister, Maelle. He also noted the differences between the two. He told Nori her mommy was going to come soon and that she was going to be okay.

Nori was rooting and alert and was obviously hungry so the midwife warmed some frozen breast milk for Sam to feed Nori with a syringe. She gulped it down, settled, and contentedly stared at her daddy.

It was beautiful to be a part of those first moment's of Nori's life. I felt privileged to witness such a pure and holy experience. Birth remains the single most amazing thing I have ever been a part of. I am so thankful that Sam and Milena invited me into this moment of their lives.