Finally, at last, our very first BABY JAWN birth story!  Kate Jesuele may have moved across the river to Colinsgwood, but make no mistake -- she's a Philly mama through and through.  I feel so honored that I got to be a part of her birth journey, and that she was willing to share her story with all of you.  I already knew of Kate because of the rave reviews I consistently hear from those who take her Prenatal Strength Training classes as a part of her BodyWise Mama prenatal fitness offerings.  And even though her pandemic pregnancy means that we've really only truly connected across screens, she is so dear to my heart! 

Kate's story is one of autonomy and empowerment.  As a birth educator, I provide evidence based information and then release that information into the hands of expectant folks to consider benefits & risks, to listen to their bodies and intuition, to have conversations with their medical caregiver and to ultimately make decisions for their own care.  Kate's trust in her body ultimately resulted in a birth where she & her baby were healthy and where she felt empowered and proud.  Settle in and enjoy Kate's story!  

(Because Kate's story includes the experience of her bag of waters breaking well ahead of labor starting, I'll include some facts & links below about what to know and consider when your water breaks.)

At a glance, some quick facts you should know for when your water breaks:

- Despite what Hollywood shows us, it's only about 8-10% of the time that your water breaks ahead of active labor

-When you water breaks, remember COAT - what is the Color, is there an Odor, is the Amount a trickle or a gush and what Time is it?

-A brown or green color indicates baby's first bowel movement has happened on the inside and is a reason to go directly to your place of birth.  It can happen just because your baby is ready for their first poop, but it can also be a way that a baby lets us know that they are in distress. (Note - in Kate's story, the presence of meconium, the fancy word for baby's first poop, wasn't discovered until her midwife checked her cervix)

-A foul odor is an indication of infection and is also a reason to go right to your place of birth

​-If you have screened positive for GBS (group beta strep) and your water breaks, it's recommended that you go directly to your place of birth.  Standard care in the US is to receive IV antibiotics during labor when you are GBS positive. 

-As time passes the main concern is the development of an infection. The risk of infection begins to increase 24 hours after your water breaks.  Most people will go into labor on their own during that time, but medical caregivers are likely to recommend that you have an induction and be progressing toward active labor as the 24 hour mark approaches.  Research has been conducted on differing timelines, which you can explore in the article linked below.  The presence or absence of an elevated temperature is one way that your midwife or OB can help evaluate if you are developing an infection. 

- This does NOT mean that you need give birth within 24 hours of your water breaking.  And the evidence does NOT support the notion that if your amniotic fluid is clear and odorless, and you tested negative for GBS that you need to rush immediately to the hospital.
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-If you expect to labor at home as long as possible, have a discussion with your midwife or OB to discuss any particulars of your medical history that might come into play. 

Click here for an article from Evidence Based Birth with more information