The Birth of Titus Chandler

It all started November 18^th, 2013. The day started out like any other day. The weather was finally nice enough to be able to enjoy going for a walk, so I packed up the kids and went to meet my dear cousin Leah. We went about our usual routine – walking 8 miles up and down Bayshore Blvd. (also known as the world's longest continuous sidewalk). It wasn't until we were at least halfway through when she finally spilled the news – she was pregnant! I was so excited and happy for her - after two miscarriages, this baby was very much wanted and so very loved already.

The planning began immediately, and she asked me to be her doula that very same day. We thought and dreamed about who this little baby would be – a girl or a boy? Brown or blonde hair? Blue or brown eyes? We were so extremely excited and the time couldn't pass quickly enough!

Thirty-nine weeks came and went, and after a healthy pregnancy we were filled with such anticipation! Little Titus had so many loved ones waiting on him to make his grand entrance. On July 20^th, at thirty-nine weeks and four days pregnant, I ran into Leah in the bathroom at church. She casually mentioned she saw a bit of blood a few minutes prior while using the bathroom. We exchanged an excited glance, and I told her to keep me updated. Around 1:00 that afternoon she and her husband Jonathan decided to drive over to the midwife's office to have her checked out – just to be safe. At this point she wasn't experiencing anything more than a little backache.

I went out to lunch with some friends and very anxiously awaited the call. It finally came, and I was shocked to hear she was 4cm dilated and 100% effaced – this was really it!

I left immediately to head over and get set up for the birth. I set up flameless candles throughout the bedroom and master bathroom, turned on relaxing music and started my diffuser with a special labor blend. Since Leah wasn't too uncomfortable yet, we all advised her to lay down and try to get some rest.

About 30 minutes later she came out of the bedroom saying she couldn't fall asleep. If that was the case – I figured we might as well try to get labor moving along. We utilized the stairs at this time, climbing sideways. Leah and Jonathan worked beautifully together, and I stood at the top of the stairs taking a few pictures. When she started to feel a contraction she simply turned to Jonathan and leaned into him for support. It wasn't too long before she really began to feel the contractions and need counter pressure to help manage the pain.

 Once contractions picked up we moved back into the bedroom. Leah tried multiple positions - from standing, to hands & knees on the bed, to sitting on the birth ball. She was still very happy during this time, and very calm through contractions. Gentle counter pressure and heat from a rice sock seemed to really ease the discomfort from the contractions. There was so much love and support surrounding this soon-to-be family. The grandparents were all present, as was Leah's best friend, aunt, grandmother, cousins, brother, and several sisters.

It was around this time that Leah's midwife, Kim, and her birth assistant Laura showed up. Leah continued to labor for about 30 more minutes before asking to have a cervical check. We were all very pleased to hear she had progressed to 7cm. Contractions were intensifying, so we decided to fill the birth tub and to limit the number of people in the room, so Leah could better focus on labor.

Time starts to get a bit blurry from here on out, as I was solely focused on Leah's comfort – both emotionally and physically. She was handling labor SO well. We were told some time later that the baby wasn't as low as he needed to be, and that there was a bulging bag of waters holding him back. At this point, Leah was 8cm dilated and in transition. She decided to have her midwife break her water. As we were making our way to the bed to break her water, she got that look and said she was going to throw up. I've never felt so bad to see someone throw up. This poor mama threw up so much, and so violently – and was so strong through it all.

 We quickly made our way back to the tub. With Jonathan behind her applying counter pressure, both Jonathan and Leah's mothers as well as her sister Hannah to the sides of her offering occasional verbal support, and myself directly in front of her offering encouragement and a place to land when she needed to lay her head somewhere, she was in a perfect place – surrounded by SO much love, by people who all cared deeply for her. It was absolutely beautiful. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere couldn't have been better – it was now very, very early Monday morning (probably around 1:00 AM), candles flickered in the darkness, and instrumental praise music played in the background. Every so often she would ever so quietly begin singing with the music that was playing in the background. I think I speak for everyone in the room when I say we looked at her in awe and with admiration.

 After three long hours of transition it was finally time to push! Kim, Leah's midwife, guided her positioning and slowly but surely little Titus continued to move down. He took his time crowning – which was hard for Leah to endure, but she handled it like a pro. Eventually, she birthed his head. It was at this time that Kim told her she was going to have to get out of the tub. I saw a bit of fear flash across her eyes, but we assured her it was ok – we just needed this baby to be born now. Again, with confidence she made her way to the ground and pushed with all her might. With a little tugging from the midwife, and mama pushing as hard as she could, Titus Chandler came into this world at 2:57 AM. Such joy and relief flooded the room! Cheers and applauding broke out in the next room over, where the rest of the family was waiting. Mommy and daddy cried tears of happiness and relief. They did it! They were the parents of a healthy, beautiful baby boy!

 Leah delivered a large, healthy placenta, got cleaned up and moved into bed with her new little family. Titus began nursing like a pro within half an hour from the time he was born. Mama was exhausted and starving and finally got to enjoy the sub she looked forward to through her pregnancy. Some time passed and it was time for the moment of truth – how much did this big boy weigh? Ten pounds even! Now we all knew why his mama had such a big beautiful belly!

 Little Titus Chandler is one month old today and is such a beautiful, sweet, charming little boy. He is loved by so many, and his mama continues to be my hero! Congratulations to the new happy family!!