A most joyful birth day: Welcoming Maverick Luke Durtschi
When Katherine's birth experience didn't go according to plan, the Labor & Delivery team at Lone Peak Hospital was there for her every step of the way.
In the middle of the night, Katherine and Luke Durtschi quietly snuck into the bathroom of their grandparents’ small Florida home and scrunched around a pregnancy test. As results grew vividly positive, the couple locked eyes, audibly gasped and then tried to contain their desire to scream for joy. The next day was Christmas Eve, the perfect day to gift their family with the good news: A baby would soon join their world!
With the New Year, came baby-centered goals and plans for their growing family. For example, Katherine aimed to have a natural childbirth, and she dove deep into researching the area’s facilities and medical professionals.
“I decided a midwife would be the best fit for me. I talked to friends and did a bunch of research that led me to Lone Peak Hospital,” Katherine said. “When I looked at the hospital’s certified nurse midwives online, something called out to me when I saw Michelle Grubb’s name. After the first appointment, I knew I loved her. She was thoughtful and always ready to answer my questions.”
Katherine’s pregnancy went smoothly, and all was going according to plan until it came time for the labor and delivery.
The plan’s the plan, until the plan changes
On induction day, Katherine and Luke arrived at Lone Peak Hospital giddy to meet their firstborn child.
“When we got there, I wasn’t dilated at all, so I knew it was going to be a long process, but we were so excited that I didn’t even care,” Katherine said.
Unfortunately, after 24 hours in the hospital and two medications to induce labor (including the strongest recommended dose of Pitocin), Katherine’s body hadn’t begun the labor process.
“At first, I was upset with my body for not progressing like I wanted it to. I’m a huge planner, and I had a plan … but, although disappointed, I also felt at peace. I knew it was the right decision to go home. It just wasn’t his time yet,” Katherine said.
Five days later, Katherine woke to a surprise. Though unlike the dramatic flood of water depicted in movies when a character’s water breaks, Katherine noticed leaking fluid. She and Luke drove straight to Lone Peak Hospital.
“Again, we left the hospital disappointed,” Katherine said. “While there, we took a test, and my water hadn’t broken. By this point, I’m overdue, I’m so big, I’m exhausted mentally and physically, and I don’t want to be pregnant anymore. I just want to meet my baby.”
Third time’s the charm: Meeting Maverick
Well, Baby Boy Durtschi wanted to meet his parents too. Just 24 hours later, early on the morning of August 24, Katherine’s water broke. This time a large gush left a puddle of proof outside the shower. Katherine called for Luke, and his sleepy eyes snapped open when he realized it was officially time to deliver their son.
Even with her water broken, it took 10 hours for Katherine’s body to progress from 1 cm to 3 cm dilation. During that time, painful contractions escalated, and Katherine made the difficult choice to change her birthing plan.
“I had a breakdown and was crying and shaking. I was so disappointed in myself because I felt like I was weak and powerless. I was saying that to my nurses, and they told me I was strong and powerful and that getting an epidural did not make me weak. They helped me so much,” Katherine said.
After the epidural, Katherine’s body relaxed, enabling the progression to pick up speed. Within hours, she dilated to 10 cm.
“I was on a roll! The epidural worked fantastically, and I felt great! I was able to feel like I was in charge – being able to decide how much medication I was getting,” Katherine said. “Plus, my nurse, Tori, helped me try different positions and techniques for pushing. We were mixing things up, and those first 30 minutes of pushing really helped get things moving.”
As the laboring heated up, Luke encouraged Katherine with every push and used his cold hands as ice packs to refresh her face and forehead.
“I was closing my eyes while pushing, but I remember opening them a few times and seeing my husband’s face super excited. He’d say, ‘I can see his head!’ and ‘You got this!’ I knew my effort was getting somewhere.”
A joyful birth-day party
When Baby Boy Durtschi was on the cusp of making his debut, the nurses called for the whole “birthday crew.” More nurses entered the room, and Katherine said it felt like a genuine birthday party. They cheered for her with each final push, and then, suddenly, he arrived.
“It was euphoric, and it was sacred. We were thinking, ‘Wow! This is our son! This is our baby!’ We were in disbelief, and we were both very emotional,” Katherine said.
Katherine cherished feeling the warm, soft body of Maverick Luke Durtschi on her chest. He cuddled up to his mother but remained quiet. After a moment or two, the nurses asked if they could help him start crying.
“During that short period of time, the nursing team would say, ‘He’s looking great! He’s starting to breathe. He’s turning pink.’ It was quick, and I appreciated how they communicated. They knew I wanted him on my chest for the first hour, but they also knew I wanted him healthy, and they were able to make that work.”
Maverick weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and measured 20.5 inches long when he entered the world on the morning of Aug. 25. He also arrived with thick light-colored hair, sweet and silly facial expressions, and a cute little chin – all traits that mirror his daddy.
For Katherine, simply holding Maverick, changed everything for her.
“As soon as he was in my arms, it felt so natural. It felt like I was called to be a mom. I wasn’t expecting that,” Katherine said. “He’s definitely changed my view about what matters most in this life – and that’s definitely family.”