Process Piece - Labor

Our process piece was the process of giving birth, an essential process for all humanity. The audio was recorded by Nicole during the event, with an added heart rate monitor sound effect as well as other hospital sounds to further clarify and enhance the setting of the birth in the hospital. The piece starts out right before the nurses have the mother start to push. The “beginning” of the process begins as the nurse tells her that she is having a contraction and she should start the labor process. As she begins to push, there is commentary throughout from doctors, the mother, the father, the mother-in-law, and the nurses as they all coach the mother and encourage her during her progression. The effort of pushing continues to the climax of the piece - the moment the baby emerges, and concludes with the resolution of hearing the baby crying and well.

Because the recording was done previously, the project entailed detailed editing of the hour or so of original footage to showcase the highlights and make the process into a two minute clip, as well as adding the supplementary sounds. It is presented linearly as this timeline form is the most effective in helping the listener understand what process they are hearing and the progression of time coinciding with the literal progression of labo. Other than the heart rate monitor, and a few bandage sounds, the audio is entirely shot on location. The product of this is a singular 2-minute clip which summarizes the birth process in a realistic, documentative and overall authentic way. This process is one that many of the students in this class have yet to experience, so we thought it would be interesting to select a process that we have been told about and educated on repeatedly throughout our lives, but have yet to experience first hand. It provides an insight into the miracle that is birth, and instills a feeling of relief and pure joy that we feel alongside the mother as we are able to hear the first sounds the baby makes - her first breath of air, her first cry - as well as the happiness and awe of the others in the room who were able to witness the process and event. It’s a newer experience for our age group, but one that we will all hopefully get the opportunity to go through so as to have a greater understanding of God’s love for us as we feel that same love for our own children.

This project was done by Nicole Guilott and Trevor Orman.

Click on the following link to listen to the audio Process Piece via Soundcloud:

Process Piece - Labor

 This sweet little girl was the result. :)