Piracanga: Birthing Story - A Dad's Perspective

We had been out for the evening at a community gathering at a friend's house. Heading home, we saw some lost newcomers to Piracanga. Jamie got talking to them. They asked when the baby was due. Jamie said, "anytime now."

I'm not sure Jamie sensed that was literally the case or not. But she knew it was possible. I led the Brazilian couple towards their accommodation and returned home.

Later that night it rained hard. But I was in a deep sleep downstairs. Then Jamie, who was upstairs with Zenchai, came down to wake me up. She said she had to call my name several times.

"I think the baby is coming," she said to me. You "think" is what went through my head. Tired, I thought about dropping back to sleep until Jamie would summon me with more certainty.

Instead, though, I listened. I could hear her contractions. And, as they were with Zenchai, there was barely any respite between them. I knew the baby was coming - and Jamie went back upstairs and leaned against a wooden beam as the rushes came and went.

I took my list of things to do and got started, trying not to be noticed and avoiding any communication unless necessary. Jamie told me to set everything up in the bedroom. I put padding on the floor, a large rubbish bag on top and then a sheet. I lit candles, got her some water, started washing the birthing stool etc.

But then Jamie disappeared. She went (downstairs) to the toilet, as happened for Zenchai's birth. Not wanting to interfere in her process, I waited. And waited. Then I went downstairs and observed her, head down, eyes closed, rocking side to side.

This is Jamie's birthing hypnotic trance dance, where she goes internally and connects with all her birthing instincts. I knew she wasn't going to change location. So I gathered everything from upstairs and brought it down to the toilet.

I never felt any anxiety. I had total trust and faith in Jamie's ability to birth naturally and freely, as was her intention. Perhaps my only concern was when I saw her on the toilet. She'd briefed me to remind her not to stay in that position. She'd spent five hours like that before delivering Zenchai and it had cut off some of her circulation.

So, as discreetly and gently as possible, I reminded her to stand or move. She got on her knees and worked her body to the sensations going through her. There was no interference. It was perfect.

The rain continued outside, often heavily. I wasn't in a position to call Suely, our midwife. We decided to go it alone, as Jamie had always felt confident to do from the beginning. Jamie didn't scream, but she made more noise than at Zenchai's birth. It was more like intense howling or groaning.

Some of the residents (when I spoke to them) said it was a very primal sound. This was a primal experience for sure. I enjoyed observing/watching, just as I did my son's birth. I only ever see this powerful side of Jamie when she goes into labour. It's amazing. I could hear that the intensity was immense. Things were moving fast.

The rain continued to fall hard. I came towards the end of my check list. Barely 30 minutes had elapsed. Then, almost out of nowhere, Suely appeared. I wondered how she knew what was going on (our neighbour, also pregnant and about to give birth, had a trainee midwife camping on their land. She took the decision to alert Suely).

My first instinct was to protect Jamie's birthing space. I didn't want anyone, not even the midwife, to cause Jamie to lose focus. Like a startled animal, Jamie sensed Suely's presence.

"Who's there?" she called, worry coming from her voice. I whispered to her that it was Suely and there was nothing to worry about.

I asked Suely to stay out of sight unless needed (we had told her in prior birth meetings that we wanted no intervention).

The toilet proved the perfect spot for Jamie to birth. She felt secure and hidden and couldn't see anything in the darkness outside, where Suely watched and monitored.

Then we reached the climax. But Jamie somehow lost her rhythm - the only flaw in an otherwise amazing birth.

The head was emerging. She felt it with her hand, but seemed to not trust her senses. "Is it the head?" she asked rather frantically. "Help me!"

I told Suely what Jamie had said. Suely reacted quickly and reached down. Like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, Suely presented my daughter, Kobra, in one swoop.

I took her and handed Jamie her daughter. Kobra wasn't as big or slippery as I recall Zenchai (who was upstairs, fast asleep) being, but she weighed more (8.5lbs).

After all we - particularly Jamie - had been through prior to the birth, I felt relieved to see Kobra, alive and well. Jamie needed some stitches. She tore. But she was well. The placenta followed soon after.

Jamie wanted a lotus birth, but after keeping the placenta attached for a few hours, she chose to cut the cord, more for practical reasons. From beginning to end - when contractions began to baby born - it could not have been more than an hour. It felt closer to 40 minutes.

I felt proud and in awe of my wife and the whole natural birthing process. Kobra is now the youngest member of the community. Feminine energy is strong here. Amazingly, she's the eighth consecutive girl to be born in Piracanga. Another two girls are on the way.

Kobra is calm. She has brought peace to our family. Zenchai is energetic. Kobra's presence, though, seems to have added a much-needed balance to our tribe.

Comments

[Neda]

what a lovely story and well done to the mother for being so brave. Nice photo....so similar to Zenchai when he was born

[Lisa]

This is an AMAZING thing to share and I feel blessed to have read this. Please post lots of pictures soon :)!!

[kim]

That is a BEAUTIFUL story!

[josie smith]

oh claude... im an old friend of jamie's and your story has bought me to tears, she is truley the strongest most inspiring person i know and please hug her for me and tell her thank you for bringing another little person into this worldwe need more people like her, and probably yourself.
look at your beautiful children..... you are both very blessed. WELL DONE!!!! jamie your a star.. and Kobra is beautiful indeed. x

[Bill Moss]

Happy Kobra Birthday! Best wishes to all!

[polly]

Congratulations to you all. She looks beautiful.What is the meaning of her lovely name? Hugs and kisses for Zenchai.Love Polly

[Nikki McNicholas]

You are a good man Claude and Jamie is a good woman...you are blessed to have found eachother and to be bringing your beautiful family inot the world together. Thanks for sharing your amazing story. XXXX

[Claude]

Polly, thanks for the message. Just to explain the name. We took the K from Kukljica, the village on a small island in Croatia where she was conceived. We took the O from the sound in Croatia. The BRA comes from Brazil, where she was born. Additionally, the snake represents the changing of form in how it sheds its skin. Similarly, the baby sheds its place in the mother's womb for a life outside of it.

[ebony]

What a beautiful story and baby.... Congratulations!

[ebony]

ps. So the snake Popped out first?

[Claude]

Yes, the snake came first and then the sunflower. We're now waiting for the hummingbird!

[Henriqueta de Athayde]

Thank you for charing your beautiful family birth story, Im so happy that once again an angel arrived in Piracanga land, and again a girlllll.....amazing! Congratulations, Abraço

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