18—So Much More Than a Number

Eighteen…

A number, but, oh! Sooo much more than just a number.

In 2018 I was thrilled and honored to bear witness as eighteen brand-new souls spun from their mothers’ wombs to alter forever all life on earth!

All minus one of those was a homebirth. But the one that wasn’t a homebirth wasn’t a hospital birth either, though it occurred before the very doors of Memorial Central. When the baby came so nicely right there in the family’s minivan, all our concerns about her were resolved, so we turned around and went on back home!

Six moms were first-timers, and one mom birthed vaginally after a prior cesarean.

Six mothers were between thirty-five and forty years old.

All babies were singles, and all presented head down.

One baby was born within her waters.

Ten of the babies were received by their fathers, and one was received by her mother.

The shortest labor was one hour and nine minutes, and the longest labor was thirty-six hours.

The largest baby was 9 pounds, 6 ounces, and an 8 pound, 11 ounce baby was born sunny-side up!

One baby manifested premature atrial contractions through his last several weeks in the womb. One baby sported a cephalohematoma after his birth. One baby required resuscitation. Three moms suffered postpartum hemorrhage. I sutured eight moms.

Three families burned their cords!

One baby was born on Mother’s Day.

All 2018 moms and babies are thriving!

Here, then, are my updated practice statistics:

I’ve attended the births of 567 babies.

I attended 199 prenatals and 84 postnatals in 2018, thereby increasing my grand total to 4,564 prenatals and 1,862 postnatals.

Thankfully, I missed no births in 2018! My missed birth rate is 6%.

I’ve transferred a total of 36 mothers from my care prior to labor.

My in-labor transport rate is 8%.

My post-birth transport rate is 1.8%.

My instrumental birth rate is one out of 567.

My cesarean birth rate is 3.5%.

My maternal mortality rate is still zero!

My infant mortality rate is well beneath a half percent.

My maternal morbidity rate is still zero!

My infant morbidity rate is one out of 567.

Click here for a fuller accounting of my practice statistics, including that of the tragedies we’ve experienced.

Click here to read the story of the baby born in the minivan!

I cannot adequately express the wonder and gratitude I feel for having been called to be part of so very many miracles. Thanks and thanks beyond measure, all you amazing families, for allowing me to slip in beside you amidst your most profound, intimate, holy moments. Every one has changed me. You have forever changed me.

Kim Woodard Osterholzer, Colorado Springs Homebirth Midwife and Author

Books by Kim:

Homebirth: Safe & Sacred

A Midwife in Amish Country: Celebrating God’s Gift of Life

Nourish + Thrive: Happy, Healthy Childbearing

One Little Life at a Time: Recommendations + Record Keeping for Aspiring Homebirth Midwives

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