​I hope you had a chance to read my last blog post about the birth of my first baby.  Today, we will fast forward 7 years to 2008 when I had my second.
      

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​The disappointment started to sink in around my 30th birthday (four years after my first), but we still didn’t take action for a couple more years.  We spent 2007 at the Fertility Clinic getting blood tests, follicle counts, sperm counts and a hysterosalpingogram (an invasive test where dye is injected through the vagina and cervix to investigate the reproductive system via x-ray).  We hoped to have an answer and make a plan for circumventing whatever problem cropped up.  ​Except there were no problems found.
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​We found out at our 19 week ultrasound that we were having a girl!  Yes I also peeked at Christmas presents in advance (sorry mom!)  I’m the type who NEEDS to prepare. So we painted, decorated and shopped all things frilly and girly.  Including a trip to Spokane, WA to buy the nursery décor I really wanted.
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​I worked as a grocery store cashier throughout the pregnancy and found that 40 hours a week on my feet was a lot harder at 32 years old than pregnancy at 25 with a desk job.  I had another uneventful, healthy pregnancy with the exception of some crippling pubic symphysis pain (where the pubic bone shifts around).  I worked until 38 weeks and couldn’t have been happier to stay off my feet for the final weeks.

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​I became an even bigger “birth expert” by reading more books, watching more episodes of “A Baby Story” and watching “The Business of Being Born” – a documentary about the maternity care system in the USA.

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My family doctor was more than happy to support me through a trial of labour – the term used when you attempt a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC).  However, protocol dictated that I had to see an OB/GYN to chat about it first.  My visit there was less than supportive… She suggested that because my first baby was so big and this second was looking pretty big too, that I should have a planned caesarean.  I politely declined that plan and stuck with my family doctor.
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​For any non-Canadians reading, that is Canada Day, the birthday of our nation.  I had heard rumours of government savings bonds being handed out for Canada Day babies and thought that would be pretty cool.  Plus it was also the birthday of my brother in law and one of my favourite hockey players – Jarome Iginla.  The evening of June 30th, I begged and pleaded that baby to start making her way.  Lo and behold, I woke up the next morning with that familiar cramping feeling.  I carried on with my day until late morning when I was quite surprised with the amount of blood in the toilet.  Very begrudgingly I had my mom drive me to the Rockyview Hospital where my husband met us from work at about noon.  In triage, the nurse examined me and said I was 4 c.m. dilated and the bleeding was nothing abnormal.  I was so disappointed to have gone in far too early again.  My mom, sister and son waited downstairs while the doctor was called and a room was prepared.
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The SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction) was rearing its ugly head.  Every contraction I said, “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!!”  My husband seemed to repeat the same response, “Where does it hurt? What can I do?”  I recall after about the third time, yelling at him, “Right F***ing here!!” as I pointed to my pubic bone which felt like it was splitting in two.  I remember seeing the nurse’s head whip around to glare at me!  At about 1:30 p.m., another physician from my doctor’s group arrived in her street clothes and wanted to take a look.  I tried to move towards the bed, but I was having a hard time and then all of a sudden my water burst!  The doctor and nurse both commented on the incredible amount of fluid I just dropped.  Finally I made it on the bed and the doctor examined me, looking a bit surprised.
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We were wheeled into the smallest room in Rockyview’s labour and delivery and almost immediately I said I needed to go poop and sat up to go to the bathroom. The nurses said I was not getting out of that bed! All of this was unfamiliar territory as I had never gotten to the pushing stage with my first. So I pooped in the bed! Gross, I know. But now I realize that it happens to nearly everyone. I have a post about that too! My mind was so many steps behind because I hadn’t been in labour very long.
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I was in the throes of transition and their biggest concern was starting an I.V. which is protocol during a trial of labour after caesarean.  I’m sure the nurse loved trying to put that in while I was less than cooperative!  Miraculously she succeeded and then nervously called the nursing station inquiring to the doctor’s whereabouts all while trying to keep me from pushing.  And I still implored my husband to get my sister to which he helplessly really couldn’t do a damn thing.
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​Finally the doctor arrived after changing into scrubs and I was encouraged to push.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but in retrospect I laugh at how they tried so hard to keep me from pushing, but then switched to making me push like a maniac when the doctor arrived.  All when my baby was practically falling out anyway.  So yeah, basically one contraction of pushing and out she came at 1:48 p.m.  I was in such disbelief!  I couldn’t believe I did it so quickly and easily!  All the talk of trial of labour and having an "untried pelvis" as they call it, really got into my head.  Having never pushed a baby out, we all expected a much longer second stage.
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She wasn’t nearly as big as the ultrasounds had predicted, but was still a good size at 8 lbs 11 oz. and 22” long.  With such a rapid descent, I had some minor tearing that the doctor repaired.  Shortly after I was all cleaned up, my mom, sister and son came in to meet her.  I’m not sure exactly how we got away with this as usually no one would be allowed to visit on the labour and delivery ward (especially a 7 year old!)  My sister was crying that she had missed it again.  My son was a bit timid at first, but then was pretty enamoured of his little sister (miraculously that feeling lingered until she was about 2 years old and it’s been war of the siblings ever since!)

​While I was disappointed that the savings bond story was a myth, the Calgary Canada Day committee did visit me in postpartum and gave us a lovely bunch of gifts.  Blankets, teddies, books, onesies, a flag and a certificate all to commemorate the day!

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​With a much faster, easier recovery I went home within 24 hours.  Breastfeeding was a breeze thankfully and I really enjoyed a wonderful summer with my big boy helping me every chance he could.  I was so sad when he went back to school in September, but on the other hand, I enjoyed lots of one on one time with my baby girl.  Having two was really quite easy with a 7 year gap.  All that went out the window 25 months later when number three came along, but that’s a story for next time!  Stay tuned.

The birth of my first born was quite some time ago, 16 years to be exact!  So my current concerns are about who is driving & how fast, are drinking or drugs involved and exactly how many half filled plastic lunch containers can one teen hoard in their bedroom before I need to call an exterminator (seriously, no joke!)?

Let me set the scene for way back in 2001... I was 25 years old, had been married for 3 years and was the box office manager for a local, professional theatre company.  I had always loved babies.  As a matter of fact, my goal in life as a child was to be a mommy... and a waitress - little did I know it was one and the same!

40 weeks, 3 days pregnant.
Thank goodness the baggy maternity fashions are a thing of the past!

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Rafting down the Bow river with my husband & friends 3 days before my due date.
Feeling fantastic despite the swollen feet!

Dealing with back pain through every contraction.

The epidural allowed me to get some rest.
​ Towards the end I had the shakes and hot/cold flashes of transition.

My "little" chunker and his dad in the nursery.

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​I feel bad for the poor nurse who watched over me in recovery as I was worse than an impatient kid on a long car ride, repeatedly asking every few minutes, ​
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All ready to head home from the hospital on day 4.

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Why did I go in so early?  I should have stayed home.  If I didn't get that epidural, I would have been up and mobile.  He wouldn't have had malpresentation issues if I'd been walking around.  It's taken many years to let that go and I can now recognize after witnessing so many births that it's unlikely I would have avoided the surgery.  It was most definitely the right choice and I'm now at peace with it.  Thankfully, many policies in Calgary hospitals have changed now where most people will not be admitted before 4 c.m. dilation and epidurals are usually not given before then either.  However other policies have changed for the worse - I had 3 support people the entire time, my sister and mom were allowed in the nursery to see him and I had many, many visitors over the 4 days.  I was constantly surrounded by those I loved and had a lot of support.

One of the interesting things from my birth plan was a request for a “volunteer birth companion” which at the time was only offered at Peter Lougheed Centre.  I’ve only recently come to realize that that program was the beginnings of the Calgary Doula Association which I’ve been a proud member of since 2010.  It is really neat that I came full circle and now offer that support I only wished for at my first birth.  I truly love my career!  
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You've read every pregnancy book you can get your hands on and feel so well prepared for giving birth.  Then your best friend drops this bombshell, "Ugh, it was so embarrassing when I started pushing and then pooped right there on the bed!"
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​This won't actually happen - all of us in the birth field have seen it many times.  As for your partner, show them this blog post so they have the heads up too and demand that they act cool when it happens.
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If you take a look at the anatomy of a pregnant person, it's easy to see why poop happens.  As the baby's head descends into the vagina, it tightly squeezes it's neighbour, the rectum.  It's inevitable that any contents would squeeze out and that's a good thing because the sooner you can release your bowels, the more room the baby gets to pass through.  Sometimes the poop will continuously creep out with each contraction.  Don't worry, your nurse will discreetly wipe it away without a word.

Nobody has ever made it through months of pregnancy without PLENTY of trips to go pee... and labour is no different.  Sometimes it's hard to notice the urge to pee with the intensity of contractions, but it's important to keep trying regardless.  Full bladders can impede labour because of how close to the cervix and vagina they are.  A good rule of thumb is to empty your bladder every hour.  The toilet is also a wonderful place to labour because your pelvis actually opens wider in this position, once again making more room for baby.  It's also a great place to start pushing (particularly if you're having difficulty relaxing your pelvic floor), since our mind is so programmed to let go when seated on the toilet.  Don't worry, it usually takes many, many pushes until the baby arrives and the nurses/midwives/doctors will get you to move before you give birth on the toilet!
If you have difficulty urinating, it may become necessary to have your bladder drained via catheter.  It's usually quick, easy and painless.  The nurse or midwife would insert a soft, small tube into your urethra and the urine simply drains into a basin.  

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​Let's face it: lots of stuff is going to come out of your vagina before the baby does.  It starts at the very beginning of your body preparing for labour when you pass the mucous plug.  That's the clear, slippery, thicker goop that usually comes out when you're using the washroom.  Often it has a minor blood tinge to it (either pink or brown).  This is often one of the first indicators that labour is starting soon.
As the cervix dilates, blood usually makes an appearance - not in period like quantities (if this happens, it's an emergency so seek medical treatment immediately), but probably enough to warrant putting a pad on.  
At some point, your water will break (the amniotic sac).  It can slowly trickle out, or burst in a huge splash!  Labour usually intensifies shortly after with the baby's head pushing directly on the cervix .  If you haven't had any contractions yet, sometimes it takes awhile after the water breaks and if it takes too long, you may be encouraged to have an induction.  The fluid should be clear and odorless - any funky smells or colours should be checked out immediately by your care provider.

Another icky thing to deal with comes the other way: vomiting.  Some people experience it at the beginning, some all the way through and many do especially at transition.  This is when the big hormone shift happens, you start feeling hot and cold, trembling, shivering and often nauseous.  Don't be surprised if your doula, nurses, midwife or doctor gets excited when you announce the need to throw up - it often means you're nearing the end!
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Are you thinking that all of this sounds just awful and embarrassing?  Don't dwell on it, honestly once labour kicks in full force, you are in such a zone that most of these things don't even phase you.  Your doctor, midwife, nurse and doula have seen this many times (if not every time!) and will carry on as usual.  Don't alter your drinking or eating habits to try avoid this happening - it's so important to stay well hydrated and to have plenty of energy to sustain the marathon of labour.  

If you are looking for comprehensive prenatal classes in Calgary (where we teach all of this nitty, gritty stuff), please get in touch with us to book private prenatal classes or to find out when and where our next group prenatal classes are.

And as always, if you would like a professional doula who will offer you nothing but the best support throughout pregnancy and birth, click here to book an interview.

Our last blog post talked about the options for maternity caregivers in Calgary and expressed the importance of making an early decision. Choosing how and where you want to birth goes hand in hand with the type of caregiver you have. As stated in that post, if you wish to have a water birth, home birth or have your baby at the birth centre, you will require a midwife to achieve this. If none of those things are on your wish list, your options are to either chose a midwife or a doctor and birth at one of the area hospitals. If you want to birth at a certain hospital, you will need to look for a clinic that takes self-referrals or make sure your family doctor sends you in the right direction. Catch up on the details on our last blog ​here.

***Updated Oct 12/2021***
Covid restrictions may make limit support people or some services. Check with your doctor, midwife or with the location directly for confirmation.


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Finding out you’re pregnant can be one of the most exciting, yet nerve wracking times of your life.  There are so many things to consider!  What colour will we paint the baby’s room?  What is the safest car seat?  We need to research the best stroller, crib, video monitor and diaper pail!  Arrrgghhhh – how will we ever choose the perfect name?!?

Unfortunately, in those early days, many families do not think about how and where they want to birth until much later on.  In the Calgary area, that delay can result in taking many options off the table.

To better understand, let’s take a look at the three types of caregivers available to us, along with the philosophies and type of care you can expect from each:

                                           Midwives

Newsflash!  Today’s midwives are not voodoo witch doctors delivering babies of hippies!  To become a midwife in Canada involves taking a 4 year university program specializing in low risk pregnancy and birth.  If complications develop at any stage of your care, you would need to be transferred to a doctor and while they are careful to transfer care before an emergency arises, they do carry all kinds of medical equipment for resuscitation, etc. should that become necessary. Their care is very woman centred, with you being the one in charge of the decisions.  Prenatal appointments are often long enough to answer all of your questions without feeling rushed (you could expect your appointment to last between 30 min to an hour).

They do tend to have a more natural style, so would not be right for someone who desires a more medical approach.  They are the ONLY care providers to attend births outside of a hospital (as in at home or a birth centre) and also the only ones who support waterbirth.  They have hospital privileges at all four Calgary hospitals if that’s where you prefer to be.  Depending on the practice, most midwives work in tandem or teams of 4, sharing call time.  During labour, one midwife will oversee most of your care with an additional midwife called in for the actual birth so that one can attend to the mother and the other to the baby.
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So as you can see, your care and birth can look quite different dependent on which caregiver you choose. If your dream was to birth your baby in one of the fancy tubs at the birth centre, you would need a midwife.  They book up extremely fast!  My joke is that after peeing on the pregnancy test stick and seeing a positive result, you should call and book the midwife before telling your partner, parents or BFF!

Pro tip: Ask to be put on a waiting list if the midwives are full as spots sometimes open up even in late pregnancy

Alternatively, if you would feel the most secure utilizing using a more medical approach, you will want to get on board with the best maternity clinics or obstetricians early as they are swamped too.  While your family doctor might look after you in early pregnancy, they will often transfer your care some time in the second trimester.  They usually have a certain group they refer to and most if not all doctors have privileges at only one hospital.

Pro tip:  Some clinics take self referrals.  If you have a preference to birth at a certain hospital, make sure you are in the right stream to land up there.  For example, if you wish to birth at Foothills, but your doctor is in SW Calgary, chances are you will be referred to a clinic with privileges at Rockyview.


Whichever way you decide to birth, consider adding a doula to the mix.  Having someone there to support you through birth, always ready to comfort and encourage you on can be one of the best things you do for yourself.  Your partner will thank you too!  Contact us for the best doulas in Calgary!

Please know that just as in ANY profession, there are wonderful and not-so-wonderful caregivers in each category.  I don’t believe all midwives are nothing but unicorns and rainbows, nor am I anti-doctor.  These are silly myths that for some reason exist in our profession.  I have enjoyed the privilege of supporting my clients under the care of each of them!  And you can bet your bottom dollar that no matter who you choose, I will diligently and harmoniously work alongside them to provide you with the best birth experience.

You may wonder why so much fuss about how you give birth?  All that matters in the end is that you have a healthy mom and healthy baby, right?  True.  But you must acknowledge that a healthy mom includes her emotional well-being.  As quoted from birthtalk.org, “The aim of ‘healthy mother, healthy baby’ must include the mother’s emotional health.  Why?  Because our emotional health affects how we parent.  How we relate to our partner.  How we feel about ourselves.  It can affect everything.  Emotional health in childbirth matters.”

Stay tuned for part 2 where locations to give birth in Calgary will be discussed!
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