THE BIRTH OF ALIYA ROCHELLE ZIGMAN


MONDAY
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
10:47AM

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On February 9th, late in the evening, Marty and Sherri Zigman called to let me know that Sherri was experiencing some labor contractions that had begun around 10:30pm. She and Marty seemed to be coping with them and so we agreed that they would call me when they felt they needed my extra support.

At approximately 4:30am, Marty called and asked me to come over. I dressed and got to their home a little after 5:00am. Sherri was in the tub. The lights were low and there was a candle lit. After a couple of contractions, Sherri moved into her bed, lying on her side.

It was difficult to determine how long the contractions were, and how often they were coming as she was not feeling the contractions in the abdomen, but was having strong sensations in her lower back.

She and Marty were working together to cope with the back labor. Marty was applying pressure to her lower back with a tennis ball, and giving her water to drink in between her contractions. When I arrived, Marty reported that he was very sleepy and was hoping to take a short nap. I promptly took over for him.

Sherri was concerned with the possibility that the back labor could mean that her baby was posterior. I suggested changing positions, using the birth ball, lunging, and the cat exercises to alleviate pressure on the sacrum and create more space for the baby to turn and re-position.

Although Sherri seemed to be extremely uncomfortable, she was willing to try different positions. She was wonderfully open to suggestion. She kept drinking water to stay hydrated and regularly walked to the bathroom to urinate.

I noticed that she remained very relaxed as she was going through her labor surges. Her face stayed relaxed as did her hands and fingers. She was extremely focused and asked for what she needed and wanted.

Marty awoke at about 7:30am, refreshed and ready to help. He tried to reach the doctor to check in. As we waited for the doctor to return the call, Sherri took another tub, walked, swayed, lunged, and sat on the birth ball. Once again we timed the contractions and they appeared quite irregular.

Just before 9am, the doctor suggested they come in to be checked. Arriving at the doctorÕs office at 9:30am, Sherri was 7 to 8 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and 0 station. He suggested they go immediately to St. JohnÕs Hospital.

Once in the hospital, the nurse was given Sherri and MartyÕs Birth Plan. As requested, Sherri was put on an intermittent External monitor to check the babyÕs heart rate. After 20 minutes, Sherri asked that it be removed so that she would have greater mobility.

I rubbed SherriÕs feet applying accupressure to her feet and toes. Marty was applying counter pressure to her back with a tennis ball. She continued to stay relaxed during and in between contractions even though the back pain continued after the contraction was over.


At 10:30am, a most remarkable thing happened. Sherri was in bed, lying on her side. She sat up and said she had to get up. Getting out of bed, she promptly squatted down on the floor. At that moment her water broke. She asked for the nurse to come quick. I asked her if she felt like pushing and she said yes. I suggested that she get back in bed and called for the nurse asking her to contact the doctor immediately because the baby was coming. It was quite evident that Sherri was operating on a primal level, deeply connected to her body, her baby and her own unique birthing process.

The nurse began to prepare the room and the bed for delivery. The baby was crowning and Sherri was feeling the urge to push. Marty did perineum massage. I suggested that she pant instead of push. She was amazing, displaying an inner wisdom and strength allowing the baby to rest on the cervix, gently stretching it, yet not pushing her out.

Dr. Moran rushed in at 10:42am, reporting that he had run to the hospital from his office around the corner. At last Sherri was asked to push. I helped lift her head as she pushed. After one or two pushes, the babyÕs head emerged. On the third push, the shoulder slipped out and on Monday, February 10, 2003, at 10:47am, Aliya Rochelle was birthed, blessing us all with her presence.

Marty was moved to tears as he beheld his beautiful daughter Aliya for the first time. It was a magical moment. Sherri was radiating light, beauty and love as she received Aliya skin to skin.

Aliya was very vocal as she sang out her song. Her Apgar scores were 9 and 9, indicating a magnificently healthy baby. Marty lovingly and masterfully cut the cord that had sustained Aliya, thus ushering her into this new Life.

Eleven minutes later, Sherri birthed the placenta at 10:58am. The doctor remarked that the attachment of the umbilical cord was a bit unusual, as it was attached on the side rather than in the middle of the placenta.

Sherri sustained a minor, 1 degree tear. Dr. Moran proceeded to repair the tear as Sherri, Marty and Aliya bonded. Aliya was not very interested in the breast immediately after her birth, which is quite common. It was wonderful to see this divine family together and bonding.

Aliya was cleaned up, and swaddled by the nurse. Sherri and Marty joyfully notified friends and family of their birth, and made preparations to move from the labor room to the post partum section. Marty and Sherri, in a wheel chair, accompanied their baby to the nursery to be cleaned, measured, weighed, etc. and stayed with her during her stay in the nursery. Aliya weighed in at 7 lbs., 12 oz., and was 20 inches long.

Sherri indicated that she was very hungry. When they came back to the new room with the baby, I had prepared organic apple and orange wedges, dates, and avocado. Sherri partook of the simple feast with enthusiasm and appreciation.
After Sherri, Marty and Aliya were happily set in their new room,
and after many photo ops, I gathered my things and left around 3pm.

All in all, it was a magnificently beautiful birth. My continuous prayer for them was that everything was unfolding with ease and grace knowing that Sherri had everything within her to birth her baby perfectly. This prayer was perfectly answered.

It was an honor to be a part of this holy rite of passage and birth of this blessed baby, Aliya Rochelle Zigman.

Love and blessings,




Tatiana Wrenfeather
DONA Certified Doula

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