Madden James McLean

Madden James Birth Story

3.24.26

At 1:50am, contractions quietly began rolling in… soft at first, like a whisper in the night.

By 2:00am, she called me:

"I’m not sure if this is it or not…"

(…for about an hour )

But one thing she knew for sure, there was no sleeping through these.

By 3:30am, Gena made the call, it was time to head to the hospital.

A quick detour in true birth-story fashion… the car seat had been forgotten

At 4:45am, we arrived.

4cm. Paper-thin. Baby already head down and ready.

It was go time.

And it didn’t take long for her to become a true believer in counter pressure during contractions — leaning into each wave with support and finding her rhythm.

By 8:30am, she had worked her way to 7cm, breathing through each wave with so much strength, with dad right by her side through every surge.

At 9:00am, she received a little relief with fentanyl, and kept right on going like an absolute rockstar.

10:00am… 9cm. So close.

Her water held strong until 10:30am when it was broken, meconium noted.

But she stayed steady. Focused. Strong.

Dad never left her side, steady and reassuring through the intensity.

At 10cm, when everything was at its peak and every ounce of strength was being called forward…

dad leaned in and asked, “Do you want an epidural?”

(insert doula side eye)

He quickly followed with, “What? They said there was no ‘too late’!”

But she didn’t need it. She was already doing it.

And then… at 11:27am, the moment everything changed

Madden James

7 pounds, 10 ounces

19.5 inches long

A full head of dark hair, just like his big brother

She did it.

Through every contraction, every wave, every moment of doubt… she showed up with strength and brought her baby into the world.

I am so proud of you. So in awe of you.

Welcome to the world, sweet Madden

Being there for Gena and Nick was such a reminder of how deeply important it is for women to feel supported, heard, and safe during birth. It is truly an honor to do this work