Two Positive Post-dates Stories: Birth Center Transfer + Precipitous Car Birth

Mumsy Pop November 8, 2023

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Jess found out she was pregnant with her first child in January 2019. After an initial ectopic pregnancy scare she had an easy and straightforward pregnancy. Jess has not experienced any negative pregnancy symptoms and wants to be pregnant. She stayed active throughout her pregnancy working as a nanny and taking care of seven children, long lines on her horse, cleaning stables, and taking yoga classes. She chose to see midwives and planned a birth center birth. She likes the individualized care that comes with choosing midwifery and especially the extensive postpartum care her midwives offer.

As her due date came and went Jess did everything she could to induce labor. She started experiencing prodromal labor at 40+3 which continued until she went into labor after taking castor oil at 42 weeks one day before her scheduled induction. Her water broke on the way to a scheduled appointment with her midwife and when she arrived she was 3cm dilated and 85% effaced. After working all day with no progress they decided to move to a hospital.

The hospital experience was positive for Jess and she still has a lot to look forward to in choosing a birth center birth. After 36 hours of labor and 6 hours of pushing, Jess delivered her baby girl with vacuum assistance and discovered that she had nuchal hand which caused an unusual labor pattern and difficulty pushing. Her daughter Ailey was born on September 27 (42+1) weighing 9lbs 6oz. Jess had a relatively easy postpartum experience despite needing to have stitches a week postpartum.

Almost exactly two years later Jess found out she was pregnant again and was due to give birth just 4 days before her son’s due date. She had another enjoyable pregnancy but was less active this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She chose to have care with the same midwifery team and planned to have a birth center birth. This time, she expected to post dates and told anyone who asked that the baby was due on September 23rd (42+1). She wasn’t surprised when her due date came and left with no sign of labor.

After the sweep at 41+6, Jess started having consistent contractions at 10:05 PM. An hour later, she checked in with her midwife and was instructed to call back when the contractions were 5 minutes apart and lasted 1 minute for an hour. When the contractions reached this point around midnight, Jess called and during that call started shaking uncontrollably and had 3 contractions on top of each other. Jess and her husband jumped in the car and headed to the birth center and their midwife left her home to meet them there. Once in the car Jess’s contractions slowed down and she really enjoyed working in the car.

At 12:24am her midwife called to check in and they were both 25 minutes from the birth center. After hanging up Jess had another contraction, felt her water break, and immediately felt the baby fall into the birth canal. At 12:33am they pulled over to the side of the road and called 911 as the fetal ejection reflex began. A firefighter drove them to a fire station a mile up the road (exactly half way to the birth center) where Jess drove her son to the parking lot in the front seat of their car with the help of firefighters and EMTs. Sean was born at 1:05AM on September 22 (42w) exactly 3 hours after labor started.

He is a very calm baby and does not cry but is perfectly healthy. After the placenta was delivered they were taken to the hospital where they found out Sean weighed 9lbs 8oz. They were discharged from the care of their midwives and settled at home by 4pm that day, less than 24 hours after the birth. Jess loved both her births and felt positive and empowered despite having two births that didn’t go to plan!

Jess Maki Bio

Jess lives in a small town in central Massachusetts with her husband Pat and their two children Ailey and Sean. She found her calling in early childcare and has worked as a nanny for the past six years. Jess finds the most joy in working with babies and toddlers. She is passionate about respectful childcare and wants to share this passion with the families she works with. He likes to connect via Instagram @jessmaki or via email jmaki0116@gmail.com