Our Birth Story: ISA MARIA McLEOD

Miracles happen ever day, and Friday was one of the many miracles along our pregnant journey.  Silvia was 13 days late.  We wanted to have a home birth and Friday the 23^rd was the last day we had before we were to be induced at the hospital.

It was the first day of Autumn, the Equinox.  I went to work on a sunny Friday morning at 8:00.  At 11:00 I called home to find out that Silvia had started having contractions at 9:00.  I was just going into meet a new patient and I told her that I would call her right after. 

3 hours old

40 minutes later.  “How are you doing Sil?”
“You need to come home right now.  Its happening.”  I walked in the reception room and told them the great news.  I canceled the rest of my day and rushed home. 

22 hours old

Silvia was dilating quickly.  By noon she was at 5cm and by 5:55pm she was at a 10cm and ready to push.  That’s when things slowed down, and Silvia had to really dig deep.  The baby was head down, but was what is referred to as “sunny-side up,” “face-up” or  occiput posterior (OP). The back of our baby’s skull was in the back of Silvia’s pelvis.

Its estimated that 5 to 12%  of babies are face up at delivery and this percentage is higher in first time mothers. It’s common for the baby’s position to change during labor.  Unfortunately, for Silvia this did not happen.  If the baby is face down the pushing part of labor will take about 2 hours.  With the baby sunny-side up it took Silvia 4 hours of blood sweat and tears.  After seeing her power through that, I have no doubt that she can over come any challenge, any obstacle, A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G in life!  Silvia the Brazilian Warrior Queen  gave birth to a 7lb 9oz., 21 inch long beautiful baby Equinox Princess named Isa Maria McLeod. 

As the head came out, I placed my hands under Isa’s head and with Kate our midwife I was able to “catch” Isa.  Together we lifted her up and placed her on Silvia stomach and chest.  Everything was happening so quickly now, like someone hit the fast-forward button, but for Silvia and baby Isa time stood still as their eyes locked on each other.  The baby was calm and relaxed and knew she was safe with her momma. As they lay there we rushed around them cleaning Silvia and Isa. After an hour of Siliva holding the baby and having her breast feed for the first time, I was able to hold my baby girl Isa. As we went skin to skin all I remember is feeling gratitude and a deep raw joy that started in the pit of my stomach, that burned through my chest, and flowed out my eyes. 

1 hour old

I am a proud Papa Bear.

What does ISA mean?

We named her Isa Maria McLeod.  Its pronounced like Lisa but without the "L." Isa has multiple means.  In the Philippines Isa means number one, which is fitting for our number one child.

In German Isa means "Strong-Willed One." This has been evident through out the pregnancy and will serve her well through out her life.  To be strong and determined.

In Chamorou (Mariana Islands in the South Pacific) Isa means "Rainbow".  She was differently our rainbow after the labor storm.

In Arabic Isa means "Jesus." and in Hebrew Isa means "laughter; salvation of God; the Lord helps me."  Like Jesus she will be a light to the world and be "the lords help" by helping be the answers to peoples' prayers.  I know she was an answer to ours.

Maria is Silvia's mother's name. Its origin is Latin and means "Star of the Sea"  This will be fitting when she be comes a famous surfer of the sea.