Birth Day

My hubby Mark showing me our little bundle of joy, November 21, 2003 , Proud daddy and daughter.

Dr. Mark Sloan and Clair holding little Margo

Grandmanma Margo cleaning up her little namesake, and Daddy and Grandmanma ready to enter the O.R.

I read parts of Birth Day, by Mark Sloan MD, while it was being written, perhaps before the book even had a title. I must confess, I know Dr. Sloan personally, he married my sister...in fact I am the godmother of his daughter. You see a copy of her feet at birth in the opening pages of the book. This all started a little over 5 years ago, I was pregnant with little Margo, and nervous or oblivious of the birth process to say the least. I kept secretly hoping Mark would finnish writing all the chapters of the book, Birth Day, before it was time for delivery...but alas I never told him that. I am not sure that would have pushed his process of writing this wonderful book along faster. It too seemed to be a long process of pregnancy for him, if I may use that term. We never can push the process or length of our pregnancy along, it is what it is, long or short.

During the final months of pregnancy, I was taking a yoga class for pregnant mom's. We all practiced the positions of balance and strength, and talked. Yes we discussed what our hoped for birth stories would be like. We were encouraged to write out those directives for the time of labor at the hospital. C-section was like a dirty word in that discussion, it was to be avoided at all costs. One woman came back and talked of her birthing of twins, and that in the end she had to have a C-section. She was sad about it, as I am sure others who go through this style of birth may be too. But I was provided the chapter on C-section to read from Mark's developing book, Birth Day. (Hot off the press, or computer I should add.) Reading this chapter changed my perspective regarding the "C-Section birth". From what I remembered, it was developed by those who did not want to choose between saving the life of the baby or the mother. It was developed and refined to save both lives. Now the mother and the baby would live! Such a simple idea, and it is this idea that stuck with me, as I entered the delivery room for little Margo's birth. It was an idea created by reading from Mark Sloan's writing.... I was not disappointed about the upcoming C-section, I was excited to greet this new life entering into the world.

I was at 41 weeks, and was just completing my weekly visit to the OB. We had passed the stress test, however the ultra sound gave signs my womb was starting to get a bit old, meaning, little Margo needed to come out now. So off to the hospital to check in and try for a vaginal birth using pitosin to get things started. Around midnight the process of labor started. Yes the contractions were pounding, but by 7:00 AM not much had changed. I was only dilated to 3 cm, which most of you know is not much. However, the pitosin drip was as high as they could make it, so there was quite a pounding going on. My O.B. decided to break my water for me, no problem, I was not too uncomfortable by all of this. Oh my goodness, then the contractions became more intense, and the frequency was quicker. By noon, the OB nurse made a check, and I had not progressed any further, even though the contractions were long and large. At this point it was decided a C-Section would be the best next step. I forgot to tell you they found a bit of mechonium in the discharge, so they were now more intent on getting little Margo out. I was a bit disappointed to say the least, but not for long...I remembered this time is about birthing life, and now I was excited again to greet little Margo. I walked to the OR, and had the music playing, "Light the Fire Again", my husband Mark, and mom were going to be allowed to attend the surgery/delivery. My Doula was there, now for the purpose of taking pictures. I was sitting on the side of the table, my O.B. holding on to me, as the anesthesiologist, was puncturing my back with the spinal. I looked up to my O.B. and said, "look we are all here to welcome little Margo into the world." That was when I saw my husband Mark and my mom, dressed in their "bunny suits", waiting to enter the OR. At 12:27 pm little Margo was born, and lifted up over the drape, so I could see her beautiful ruddy looking body, crying loudly with every movement. She was rushed next door to the resuscitation room to be checked out, my mom went with Margo, her namesake, and Mark stayed with me. Very soon I was brought to the same little room as Margo and she was placed in my arms. Her grandmother, had helped to clean her up, after she passed the exam. All was well and still is well with our lives, 5 and a half years later.

I am forever thankful, for having had the opportunity to read parts of Mark Sloan's book prior to my delivery. It opened my eyes to the beauty of a Cesarean, and the use of a Doula. This book in its early development prepared me for the wonder of birth. Thank you Mark Sloan! So glad you married the family!

Full Disclosure: Mark Sloan's daughter is the godmother to little Margo, oh yes, I get to call him whenever I have a question about little Margo. He is also a great pediatrician!