The baby was born without respiration or a heart beat. There are moments in one’s life where time seems to slow down and you truly do experience this out of body sensation. There were so many things going on around me but all I could do was stare at the small seemingly lifeless form.
I remember the midwives were unbelievably calm, working quickly and professionally to administer oxygen to the baby. I felt such awe and respect for those two women; the baby couldn’t have been in more capable hands. I remember the head midwife Monica* looked up and locked eyes with me and clearly said, “Call 911 in case we need to transfer the baby and mom to the hospital.” The medical center was a two-minute drive away.
The phone call was quick and to the point, and as I hung up the phone and came back into the birth room I heard the most magical sound: the baby gave a feeble cry. The head midwife picked up the little baby boy and placed him skin to skin on his mother’s breast. Yet the room was still filled with tension, was the baby completely ok?
Now, before I get to my roll in this story let me back up a little:
Laurie (the baby’s mother) had been in labor for several hours and was having great difficulties. The cause was the baby, Josh, had what is known as shoulder dystocia, which basically means his shoulder had become stuck on the pubic bone going through the birth canal (see picture).
The likelihood of this happening is about 1:200 births. He also happened to have the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. A likelihood of 1:3 births. This combination lead to decreased oxygen and sent his entire system into shock. Due to the midwives’ diligence to monitoring both mom and baby, they became aware of the severity of the situation as soon as the baby went into distress and they were about to act accordingly. I truly admire this amazing profession of women who are so in tune with the human body’s needs. They treat birth as a natural part of life but are there to use their expertise if and only when necessary.
I was also impressed by how quickly the EMT responded- how they stood on call, ready to help at a moment’s notice but not trying to control the situation. It became very evident to me how I want a midwife at my own children’s births but also how important it is to know your midwife’s working relationship with the surrounding hospitals in case the birth does become an emergency and a transfer is necessary.
Well now full circle back to my roll because I will also be sure there is a chiropractor at my birth! Of course I am bias due to the fact both my husband and I are chiros but here is my testimony to our profession’s importance in childbirth:
When baby Josh was placed on his mom’s chest his breathing was still uneven, his color blue, and his cries weak. As the midwife checked his vitals, she shook her head and told the EMT standing by not to leave yet. Then she looked at me and I nodded. I asked Laurie and her husband Ben if I could adjust baby Josh. Ben squeezed his wife’s shoulder and they jokingly reminded me that’s why I was there (such inspiration to see this strong couple keep up their sense of humor with everything going on).
Keeping Josh skin to skin on his mother, I carefully checked his spine. It was evident he had several cervical (neck) and thoracic (upper back) subluxations- spinal joint misalignments. These were most likely caused due to the trauma of his birth. Despite all the activity still going on around me, I suddenly became very calm. It was just baby Josh and me; the whole rest of the world faded away. Using practiced fingers and clinical knowledge I gently adjusted Josh’s little spine. The areas of his thoracic spine that were restricted had direct nerve supply to his heart and lungs. Immediately after his adjustment Monica checked his vitals. The look of concentration left her face and she smiled broadly, “Everything is okay, all of his vitals are normal!”
By removing the interference (the subluxation) to the nervous system, Josh’s body was able to self regulate, resulting in balance within his body. This is the power of an adjustment. This is the importance of having a chiropractor at your baby’s birth. Neither mom nor baby had any serious complications (mom had minor tearing) from this potential devastating birth experience; both were adjusted again two days later. This baby’s story is a reminder to all parents-to-be the importance of having a good birth team; a team that works together with the mom’s and baby’s best interest at heart.
Happy First Birthday baby Josh! Thank you and your parents for letting me be a part of your story. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
*Note: Although permission from the parents has been granted to tell this story, all names have been changed due to the sensitivity of the material and to protect the privacy of this family.
Dr. Madison