A home birth turned transfer in Camp hill,PA

This second time mama, and first time home birth mama, labored long and hard over the course of more than 24 hours.

This mama messaged me around noon on a Friday to let me know she was finally having contractions (several days after her “due” date) and by 5 pm they were between 3-5 minutes apart and she wasn’t able to talk through them. Her midwife was heading her way, and I threw my bags into the car (okay, I placed them gently on the seat and seatbelted them in….) and I was on my way!

The sunlight was only around for a few hours after I arrived, and the bedroom curtains were drawn, with only a light from the bathroom turned on to give the midwife and doula enough to see by. The homebirth “cave” was complete, quiet, and calm.

A labored in the birth pool, on the bed, leaning on the birth stool, and in the shower. She was drawing on all the strength she had, and after pushing for 3 hours, she was understandably exhausted.

Twelve hours after I had arrived at her home, she had labored, and pushed, moved, and rocked, used the peanut ball, the birthing stool, and as many positions as she had the energy to get into - but she still had a cervical lip, and wasn’t able to rest or get comfortable in between surges. She made the call, as difficult as it was - along with her partner and midwife - to transfer to the hospital due to exhaustion. The hope was that she’d be able to get an epidural and rest, before birthing her babe vaginally. I wasn’t able to follow her to the hospital due to visitor restrictions, but received the happy news that over 8 hours after she transferred, they welcomed their baby girl earth side. I was honored to return to their home a few weeks after she was born to document some tender family moments and officially welcome Josephine in person.

Did you have a home birth transfer? Tell me about it in the comments below!