Ginni's Story (HBAC)

Sunday morning, I woke up both very happy and very frustrated to still be pregnant. I have never gotten to 38 weeks before, and that had been my goal....but I was done. I was ready for baby to come, said so in multiple ways lol , and even commented to a couple of people that the next day would be great, the date would be 8/9/10. I spent the day laying around, not feeling too hot and having sporadic contractions like I'd been having for weeks. I talked to multiple friends on the phone and was probably pretty whiny lol . I was actually on the phone with my friend Becky...I was laying in bed and got up to go pee. After I peed, I stood up and started pulling my pants back up and felt a gush. I sat back down quickly thinking I had just peed more and before I had time to wonder I realized that it wasn't pee. I started laughing and told Becky I had to go, my water had just broken! I sat on the toilet for a couple of minutes with fluid POURING out of me, wondering how much there could possibly be in there! I called to Alan who came into the bedroom wondering why I was sitting on the toilet trying to get him to come into the bathroom lol . I told him my water had broken, and he asked if that was a bad thing. I said no, it just means we are going to have a baby! I made him get me some dry underwear and a package of pads before I would get off the toilet. I called my midwife and my mom and let them know that I was ruptured, but no contractions yet. I convinced my mom that she didn't need to come over quite yet and sent her to the store with a list of things that I didn't have for labor and right after. I told my midwife I would call her when I started having regular contractions. About 15 minutes later I started having some VERY strong contractions. I spent the next 2-3 hours progressing faster than I expected to. The contractions were about 5-7 minutes apart and quite intense, and I had to change my pad 5 different times because it kept filling up with fluid lol . Then things get interesting.....we were in the process of trying to bid on a house that was up for auction and we were coming up to the deadline. We had to bid before midnight! So.....my father in law , who is our realtor, and his girlfriend came over... lol . They were here about 45 minutes when my parents showed up. At this point I was having to really concentrate through my contractions and really wasn't in the mood for a party. We completed the bid on the house about 6:30 and about 30 minutes later I said time to go lol . Everybody left but my mom, and my midwife Salli came about the same time. My boys went with their Opa and things got much calmer at that point. Salli asked lots of questions about the day and told me she wanted me to eat something, so I had a turkey sandwich and some grapes. At that point I was coping with my contractions really well, on my own. I was sitting on the couch or at my computer and vocalizing through each one and then going back to what I was doing. I didn't want any help or to be touched, and things were going good! I asked Alan to go ahead and get the tub blown up, we knew it was much bigger than my hot water heater, so I wanted to fill it with straight hot water and let that sit while the water heated back up. I wasn't ready to get in it yet, but I wanted it ready when I was. At this point I was focusing inward through all my contractions and wasn't talking as much. I wanted to know if I was progressing, but I was afraid to be checked and find out I was only 4-5cm or something, since I was 3 before labor began. About 30 minutes later, I was ready for the water. I finished filling up the tub to the right depth and temp and asked my midwife to check me before I got in. It actually fit right in the middle of my bathroom, so I could be somewhat secluded in my room, which was what I was hoping for. Salli checked me, and I was 6-7cm, but my cervix was still kind of far back. She actually tried to pull it forward which had me totally in tears, and was one of THE most painful things I had ever felt, but she thought that if we could get it to move forward, I would dilate much faster, since the baby was right there and just couldn't get pressure in quite the right place. After that I was DEFINITELY ready to get in the tub. The assisting midwife (Heather) came about that time and I was definitely in transition. The tub felt warm and wonderful and I was able to relax alot more in between contractions. The contractions were getting pretty rough at that point and I was working really hard to get through them. About 20 minutes(?) after getting in the tub I started feeling different and asked my mom to get Salli and Alan to come in the bathroom and asked her to put our 21 month old Claire, to bed. I wanted Alan holding me, and he got a chair and put it behind me on the floor and was able to sit and lean over the tub and support me. Salli and Heather were periodically checking the baby's heart rate and my pulse and decided the water was probably too hot and wanted to cool it down. I argues, because I wanted it hotter lol . Unfortunately, nobody listened to me and they started cooling the water down. Baby's heart rate kept rising and the midwives decided I needed to get out of the water. My answer for everything at this point was "ok just a minute" or "ok, after the next one"... I was so focused that I couldn't make myself change things. Finally Alan got up and started lifting me out of the tub....which was no easy task. I got vertical, onto my knees, and had to stop to have a contraction. I did not like that position and felt ALOT of pressure with that one. I managed to get my feet under my next, but I couldn't actually get upright. I got out of the tub and had another contraction. I was bent completely in half and Alan was holding me up, I couldn't stand anymore. After that was over I got onto the bed. It felt good to lay down for about a minute lol . Each contraction felt like I should be pushing at that point, but when I would start to push, I could feel him move down too quickly in the birth canal, and it hurt, so I wouldn't push. Salli told me to try rolling over onto my side....to which I replied "ok, in a minute" lol . Baby and I both responded quite well to cooling down. I started feeling like I couldn't handle NOT pushing anymore and kind of let me body start pushing without any real effort from me. After 2 contractions like that I asked what time it was, I was wondering if he was going to be born before or after midnight. Alan told me it was 11:15 and I decided midnight was too far away, I didn't care about the date. Another 2-3 contractions without pushing had me hurting enough that I was done. The next contraction I decided I was ready to push and started to bear down. After that contraction, Salli said that baby was crowning and asked Alan if he wanted to see, he had been laying with me up by my head and bent down to see. He told me baby had alot of hair. The next contraction hit and I was ready. I pushed hard and felt baby's head come out. Salli told me to wait while she checked for the cord, but by the time she said it, I was pushing again and baby came out. I was about to look at reach for him and he started crying so fast that it startled me. I stopped reaching and then realized he was still coming out! lol , Salli told me to catch my baby, and I reach down and delivered him. I pulled him up onto my stomach and cried and cried. I felt so much better instantly, and here he was! I had actually done it! I couldn't believe it. They covered him up with a towel and he stopped crying within about a minute and just laid there looking around. He was so calm and content in the quiet dark room. A few minutes later, Salli said I was bleeding too much. Heather started massaging my belly and Salli asked if I felt like I could push the placenta out. I tried a little, but had no urge, so we waited. After a couple of minutes they massaged and checked it again, but still not ready. Heather came and gave me some herbs and I got an injection of pitocin. I was so enthralled with the baby that I didn't even pay any attention. I started shaking from adrenaline and I was getting cold. They covered us both with a blanket and got me some juice. The midwives checked the cord and it was no longer pulsing, so they asked if I was ready to clamp it. I said yes, and Alan cut the cord. Salli said she wanted to see if the placenta was loose and I said fine, so she tugged lightly on the cord and we were both startled by a POP sensation. She let go immediately, and asked if I could try to push again, but I didn't feel anything still. She told me she wanted to feel inside to see if the placenta was right there or still up higher. I reluctantly agreed, since that didn't sound very appealing at the moment lol . Luckily, it was nice and low and ready, so I pushed it out. The midwives looked it over very carefully, making sure it was completely intact, and it was, but the cord had torn partway out when she tugged on it earlier. Alan actually stood over them and the 3 of them carefully looked it over and examined it lol . My mom took that moment to come get a good look at the baby! He was very happy and content and calm, and just laid there on my chest the whole time. Alan came and laid back down with us and I realized he needed a name! Alan suggested Ethan, which I really liked, but I wanted something that fit with the other kiddos names. I went through the list I had in my head and realized Ethan worked great as a middle name with one of them. Alan liked it, and I asked him if it should be a C or a K. He said C, and Cade Ethan got his name! as soon as she had a name, my mom started making phone calls lol . I asked Alan to post on my facebook for me, and nursed Cade for the first time. He latched on pretty easily and nursed well. My bleeding had slowed significantly after delivering the placenta, and I was ready to get up and clean off. I got up and to the toilet, Salli and Heather helped me get cleaned up and got my clothes I had together for me. Before I put bottoms on, Salli had me lay back down so she could check me for tearing. She was happy to report that other than one small skin tear on the outside, everything looked intact and I needed no stitching. I got dressed and laid down for a coupe of minutes. We then weighed measured Cade and he had his more thorough examination and then he got diapered and dressed. My mom reminded my midwives that they hadn't eaten and fixed them leftover eggplant parmesan that I had eaten in an attempt to start my labor. I came out of my room about 10 minutes later and got on facebook lol . They made me eat, so I had a slice of pizza and was told to go to bed. Within an hour of that, around 3am, everybody left and Alan, Cade and I went to bed. I am so thankful for the way this birth went. It was so calm, comfortable and peaceful. Even when things didn't go perfectly, there was never any fear or panic. After Cade was born I felt like I could conquer the world. I wish I had chosen homebirth for all of my children and if we are blessed with more children, they will absolutely be born at home with Salli's loving care.

Please check out Ginni's website: Loving Beginning Birth Services

Cherise's Story

Birth story of Lenaïc Martin Allegrini

It was Tuesday Dec 8 at 3PM that I posted the following on facebook: " Dear Baby: Please stay inside me until 1)we finish the sheetrock and primer, 2)your Papa finishes the massive amounts of work he has scheduled this week, 3) your mommy finishes the massive amounts of work scheduled this week, and 4) we buy a new washing machine and have it delivered and installed. Then you are free to come any time. Thank you." Apparently I either knew something might be up, or this kid doesn't listen to me...I’m not sure why I posted that. I had my usual post-lunch pains and I’d been feeling more tired and distracted than usual, but nothing signaling labor. I left early for my midwife appt at 5. When she arrived, I noticed some extra mucus and wondered if it was the mucus plug, but it was clear. I didn’t even think to mention it. She measured me, all looked normal for 38 weeks. I continued to lose mucus, but knew it could mean labor was hours, days or weeks away. By late evening I started to have my loose bowel syndrome…which is how labor started with Angelina. But again, it wasn’t as obvious. I did tell Frédéric not to be shocked if labor began, but I didn’t think it would. At 2am I couldn’t sleep so emailed my midwife just to let her know what was happening and I’d call in the morning. In the morning I wasn’t feeling well so stayed home, but still wasn’t sure. No obvious contractions yet. Angelina went to daycare, Frédéric told me to call if I needed him, the sheetrock guys came. I tried doing some work but couldn’t focus, as the contractions started to become more obvious. Sometime after 10 I called my midwife to describe them, and she agreed they didn’t sound consistent enough – long stretches between contractions, nothing close to 1 minute long yet, and irregular. I called Frédéric with an update and he said he’d plan to come home a bit early. I had planned a Girls’ Night for Wednesday, and debating keeping it on, thinking if this was pre-labor, some wine with friends might be good. But then decided I should probably cancel just in case….

By 11AM, there was no doubt....1 min long, 3 min apart. I was trying to be discreet so as not to alarm the workers. As it turned out, I was about to tell them they needed to leave for the day when they said they were finishing up for the day. Called my midwife and she said she’d be right over. Called Frédéric and said “I think you need to plan to come home soon!”

I tried taking a walk. Didn’t get very far and just walked around the house. By then, the contractions were powerful. Frédéric got home, and got the room ready (it was full of stuff from the hallway due to the sheetrocking work). By then I was in the bathtub, with the shower jets on my back. Salli (midwife) arrived…. I was 4cm dilated at that point, water not broken.

Frédéric went to get Angelina about 3pm. She was so sweet when she saw me, very concerned, very calm and almost shy. I told her she was to become a big sister today!

Eventually midwife #2 arrived with the birthing tub and I moved to that. Still painful, but much more comfortable than kneeling in my bathtub. Sometime around 7pm I had the urge to push. Frédéric got in the tub with me, and eventually so did Angelina, who was ever so helpful rubbing my back and pouring water on my back. Salli said if I felt the urge to push, go with it. So I did. Throughout, I was in pain but pretty calm and mostly quiet.

After some time of that and feeling like the baby was moving down, she said to feel for the head. I could feel something but it wasn’t obvious. More pushing….nothing. Eventually she checked me again – I was only 8 cm, and my water hadn’t broken! I was sure it had as I’d felt a gush and saw some membranous material and bloody show. Nope.

So, out of the tub to walk around and NOT push for awhile. Now this is when the real pain began. It was so hard to walk at this point, but Angelina took advantage of the free tub to swim ;)

She checked me again, I’d moved to 9cm, but still water bag totally in tact and not budging. While Heather checked, trying to see where the baby was to decide if it was ok to break the water, it broke. Relief. And then the REAL pain. I was definitely ready to push. It was about 9:20 then. Some intense rough pushing, finally movement there. Angelina watched for awhile, even putting on gloves to “help.” But then got a little worried by “mommy is upset” (my “Ouch oh dear god this hurts!” comments)…not quite shouting, but intense enough. She wasn’t scared, just concerned. She left the room for a bit. I kept trying to get back into the tub but too many contractions/urge to push I couldn’t move. When I finally had a break I almost ran for it – once I got into the tub, HEAVEN. 2-3 more pushes and I heard “she’s crowning!” which was all I needed to hear, another push and there was the head, one more push and the baby popped up.

He came up sputtering….I turned around to sit, they moved him they checked the length of the cord (they left the cord attached until the placenta was delivered). Covered him immediately with a towel, so we hadn’t yet checked if he was a he or a she. Angelina had already returned to the room, touched her new sibling and was so peaceful – she was just in awe! He immediately moved to my breast and tried to latch on and Angelina said “Mommy, the baby likes your boob!”

Maybe 10-15 minutes later the cord had stopped pulsing, and I had another urge to push, and pop, out came the placenta. A welcome relief after last time when the OB had to dig it out. The placenta grossed out Angelina a bit – she said “Oh yucky!” Eventually they clamped the cord and we took a look at who we had J

All in all, a wonderful experience. Not painless, but mostly tolerable. Frédéric said he thinks it was more painful for me this time around. I’m not sure – the pushing experience was totally different (with Angelina, emergency in hospital, lots of screaming by nurses…) I had a similar frustration that this baby was not coming out, so had lost my “zone” of focus, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I loved birthing at home. Overall, very peaceful, and a wonderful way to add to our family.

Mary's Story

Copied by permission from Mary's Blog Spot:

The Sugar Mountain

A Birth Story

Its about time I get this done. Heidi turned 4 months old last week and I still haven't taken the time to write out her birth story...Enough Procrastinating! From almost the moment I saw the two lines on the test telling me I was positively pregnant I knew I would make the very best of the coming months and my baby's birth. In fact, the birth story of Heidi may as well begin where Gavin's ended. His birth, minus the epidural and plus one doula), was rather standard for today's American delivery. Induction (at the request of an anxious doctor), nurses hovering around, masked faces, fetal monitoring machines strapping me to a hard bed, my perfectly healthy and alert son rolled away to the nursery for two hours..."its routine" the tart little nurse reminded me. The tearing...the blinding lights...the 48 hours my husband I spent in a cold room...the lack of privacy...the nurse who told me I "may not sleep with my baby." While the result, a beautiful and healthy son, could not be more of a pleasure, it was the experience as a whole that had me longing for something more...something gentler for the next one I was carrying. And with that first confirmation that life was inside me I began my quest for just that. At 12 weeks pregnant with Heidi I went to the OB that delivered Gavin. I still had some lingering fears about my body's ability to go in to labor with out induction and also I hadn't quite decided that an out-of-hospital birth would be safe enough. I knew however that the ball was entirely in my court and I prompted my initial appointment with a list of requests for my doctor- could I labor in water? could I go home immediately after birth? -No, no,and more no's were her responses. I felt denied of my rights and my child's rights. The helplessness I felt at that time was just enough to remind me of the out of control feeling that I had during the birth of Gavin. I was reminded to stay certain in my own body and to know that while hospitals and doctors do have a special place in making births, particularly the complicated ones, safer-that I was going to trust in God, myself, my baby and my midwives to bring a baby in to the world. I asked myself then "Would I really subject myself and this child to a medical environment that denies a mother of the natural and wholesome birth I so desired?" The answer was no... With that I turned to an dearly loved friend and the woman who had been the wonderful birth advisor to me during my pregnancy and l&d of Gavin. Salli, my doula with Gavin, had since become certified in midwifery. And with that things began to fall in to place quickly. She and a group of very highly esteemed midwives at the San Antonio Birth Center were hired! Much like the pregnancy with Gavin, Heidi's was easy. The difference was mostly emotional. I cherished the moments when she kicked and squirmed twice as much. I knew, because of the experience of Gavin, that these times were fleeting. And even though I took the time to enjoy her movements and imagine her often it seems to have gone by in a flash. By 35 weeks I had asked to be checked for progress by my midwife. The excitement of hearing I was dilated and that my cervix had thinned out was wonderful! I had made a great effort to use as many natural aides to help me move along...a raspberry leaf tea, an herbal tincture, walking, pineapple and even telling myself to open...If you think it is odd that I would "think" the baby out than I should clarify that this wasn't the only time I used positive meditation and had pleasing results- to help her turn from a complete breech position I tried some suggested positions and I told Heidi to turn (she turned then) and when I wanted labor to get going almost a week after her due date I told her it was okay to come out (she came out then) and during labor when I felt things needed a little push (pardon the pun) I told her to descend now (she descended then). It is my belief that in a completely non- medical birth that a mother can truly tap in to the powers of meditation and guiding thoughts, if you will. For the days leading up to the labor I slept incessantly. For hours a day I napped- morning and evening and then I would sleep 11 hours at night. The day of the evening I went in to full labor I took an hour and half long nap on the couch in the morning while Gavin watched cartoons. As soon as Corbin pulled in the driveway I was passing off Gavin again so I could retreat for a second hour and half long nap. The tiredness was beyond me or anything I could deny. I also ate- A LOT! Mostly bready food, but it was quite obvious- this carbo-load of a marathoner's porportions was going to help me get somewhere. That night after Corbin and I lovingly put Gavin to bed for the night, my contractions began to get some power. We sat together, tired from the day and watched the news. Corbin made a joke. I didn't think it was funny. And with that, I knew this was something. I called Salli shortly thereafter. "Get a beer. Get in the bath." she said. And so it was done and I was glad for it. A moment to close the door in a candle lit bathroom with a nice frothy beverage- alone with my unborn child and wondering if this was false labor but deep down knowing that this was really it. And one thing I learned then is that men have this instinct too! For weeks, with both of my labors, but so often with Heidi's pregnancy, I would call Corbin at work and tell him "Somethings different! I think maybe tonight is the night!" Usually he would pass it off but this night, with out me even telling him much, he was in labor-mode- and I mean, the man was full-on nesting! From behind the bathroom door I could hear the vacuum cleaner running in the house- ten PM and my husband is vacuuming- baby IS coming! Salli showed up shortly after as did Corbin's parents. I am amazed looking back, at the level of personal care provided by Salli- and the other midwives. She lives in another town-Seguin, TX- about a thirty minute drive away and at ten PM she offered to come over and check me for dilation and at the least, just rub my back for me if it wasn't labor. Thank goodness it was though! Shortly after she walked in the door- well, actually, as soon as I laid eyes on her, my first true contraction happened. I mean "true" as in the first one that brought me to my knees and made me say "Its real this time and lets get ahead of this- lets manage this and you are strong Mary!" How beautiful is that- the way the body works in unison with the mind is fascinatingly beautiful. When I saw Salli I felt "safe" and "ready to let go" and with that my true labor began. She checked me right then on my bed. My room looked beautiful to me then. I wanted to stay there for the birth. I was amazed to hear her say I was already 6 or 7 cm and 100% effaced. I had literally slept through my early labor. It had probably been going on over the course of the last couple days and while I slept and mowed through our pantry, I was well on my way to having Heidi.

I didn't waste anytime getting myself to the car. Corbin drove, his mother in the back seat, his father watching over Gavin at home- my parent's on the way, Renee on the way, my photographer on the way- all the other midwives on the way- Salli driving behind us...everyone in route to the birth center. The desolate highway gave me peace. When we arrived, again, my mind- the umpire of the game said "safe!" and labor kicked it up a notch. The front seat, where I had only a few contractions while we drove the fifteen minutes to the BC, seemed like a mile from the front door. A midwife named Jennifer greeted me at the car door. "Do you want to have this baby in the car?" She couldn't be sure I wasn't about to have my baby on the floor bed and while it might have been a tough love kind of question it was excellent timing. It sort of pissed me off, just enough to make me get off my butt and move it to the door of the BC. Those contractions that happened about five minutes apart on the car ride came only two or three minutes apart now. The inside of the BC was a great place of solace. The bath was being prepared for me from the moment I walked in. I undressed myself and stepped in. The relief was overwhelming. The pressure was eased and I could catch my breath. For the first hour or so I kept my head pushed down in to either a towel or Corbin's lap on the side of the tub. He and the other midwives shared turns massaging my back and quietly offering me water or food. It was as if everyone watched over me- sending me powerful affirmations with their presence while trying not to interrupt the steadiness of my labor with their noises. Only occasional whispers, the sound of flowing water and the music I brought with me playing softly in the corner were audible. In such an emotional place where the senses are so powerfully present it is easy for them to be aggravated- I found most of my peace in sound- be it lack of it or the existence of it. The camera of the photographer was at first very bothersome, the overly enthusiastic "hello" from my mother was not taken well either (granted she had no idea how seriously deep in to labor I was when she arrived and she soon realized and became a quiet, but wonderfully pleasant presence)- the sound of sirens passing in the night made me open my eyes and think "they should come and get me- take me to the nearest epidural!" but the feeling went away as fast as the speeding ambulance. The music was the CD that I rocked Gavin to bed to every night for the many months before labor. Two songs brought me to tears. The whimpering noises I made soothed me. For I spent the majority of the labor in silence so it was indeed a notable moment. I pictured Gavin as he would be when I was rocking him. I imagined him lying curled up in his crib, hugging the bumper..dreaming sweet dreams about balloons and playgrounds. Peace.

photo by Jennifer Wildey Photography

At some point the head midwife, Alissa, a very knowing and experienced presence was sitting very hands off and quiet at the end of the tub. She had been watching over me from a distance and asked me to check myself to feel the for Heidi's head. I did and the smooth feeling of the bag around her head was only as far as my half of my pointer finger- an inch or so. I had not pushed and the baby was already well on her way out. The body is incredibly powerful when left to do the work uninterrupted. She asked if I wanted to push and with a few contractions I tried but the effort was highly uncomfortable. Alissa had known that from previous appointments when I was checked that my cervix was still not in the proper position. For some, the midwives and doctors will manually reach in and move it (ouch!) but Alissa suggested I move from the only position I'd tried (squatting against the tub) to floating on my back. The change was welcomed. My legs got a rest and now my mother came behind me to hold my arms as I began to push. No other leverage was needed. I felt the calmness around me...my mother in law and Renee on the couch behind me, the newborn nurse (Christy) prepping in the corner of my eye, Alissa still seated ahead of me (her queenly placement- perched on the chair) gave me peace, Salli's reassuring looks, Jennifer's soft but still a little bit tough presence and last but surely not least- Corbin who was the rock I needed most of all. That I can remember, I was only checked by a midwife for dilation twice during labor- once at the house and once while in the tub- 9 cm was the reading for the second check.

photo by Jennifer Wildey Photography

Surrounded by Care

Clockwise starting at the bottom left: Jennifer, Salli, Alissa, Christy and Corbin

photo by Jennifer Wildey Photography

At first, the pushing was not entirely comfortable. The pain I felt was not disabling but my midwives asked me to push through it. The lip of my cervix was likely in the way. "Push past the pain," one of them reminded me. With only a few pushes my water broke. The sound of it resonated through out me- I physically heard it- no one else did. We all saw it though. A greyish cloud that dissipated in the tub. I remember clearly the smiles- especially Corbin's when shortly after that the crown of Heidi's head became visible. Corbin, who when I met him was quick to be queasy at the sight of bloodiness, had participated as much as possibly allowed by the hospital in Gavin's birth- he'd taken a peek as he crowned and he cut the cord- not to mention, he had watched dozens of live births in our natural birthing classes- the kind that show everything and some. With Heidi though, he was going to play an even bigger role. Just as I had this opportunity to be more hands on with my labor (quite literally when I was prompted to check her descent with my own hands) now Corbin was going to "catch" her. I found this to be incredibly fitting given that he, in probably not the most eloquent words, put her in there and now he would bring her out. Sexuality is often spoken about among women who desire for and have unmedicated births. It can have just as powerful of a role in bringing babies out as it does it making them. Some women even report having orgasms during labor. During pre-labor with Heidi my body, with out anything sexual occurring, was having waves of warmth and tingling overcoming it. It is not a phenomenon- during pre-labor and labor a woman's body is loading up on hormones and the ones that occur during these stages of pregnancy are much alike to the ones experienced during sexual pleasure. When I was laboring with Heidi at one point Corbin leaned over to kiss me. It may have been a bit odd to be surrounded by small crowd of onlookers during such an intimate moment but it was ever so perfect and it surely benefited my labor allowing for an extra burst of the hormonal energy a woman needs during labor- like food, like water- a kiss.

photo by Jennifer Wildey Photography

photo by Jennifer Wildey Photography

Heidi quickly came out with the pushes. Corbin and Salli brought her up from the water at 1:59AM. As soon as she ascended she took her first breath. They laid her on my chest and I told her out loud that I loved her. The room was dim- the people around me were all familiar and loved... Heidi calmly looked at me and I at her- not distracted by the world while we waited for her cord to stop pulsating. I'm not sure how long it took- a few minutes to about twenty is the norm. When she had finished getting all of the last of what my body had to offer- oxygen, for one...the cord was cut- again, Corbin did the honors. My dad came in from the waiting room and the water was drained- towels covered Heidi and I in the deep tub. Everyone was joyous and celebrated the beautiful baby. I was proud of her and myself. Corbin took Heidi in his arms to the hallway right outside my door and while everyone met the newest member of our family- I easily delivered an intact placenta. The red of it is shockingly beautiful- like a Barbie's convertible red.

Breastfeeding photo by Jennifer Wildey Photography

I was moved to the bed where I rested against the pillows and the midwives checked my stats. Heidi and Corbin returned and climbed in beside me. I drank and ate and nursed Heidi. The nursing came so natural- not a struggle at all- I knew of course what to do because I had done it before but it amused me to see her latch on as if she'd had some experience before too. The midwives left us alone and our families went back to their homes. Corbin and I watched over Heidi in awe of the whole process- thankful to God- tired. Two hours after her birth, we were given the go ahead to leave- Heidi had been inspected by Christy - My own body had normalized. My body was never sore (I think because of the water)- not a single tear- I felt amazingly refreshed. The three of us drove home happily and relieved Corbin's dad from his overnight watch and also introducing him as "Chief" to his newest grandbaby- We slept for two hours or so before Gavin needed to be woken up. Corbin and I excitedly came in his room to retrieve him. "There's a baby in the other room Gavin! Mama's baby came out of her belly!"

First touch

It is amazing how much bigger he seemed right then. Corbin brought him in our room to see his sleeping sister. He wanted to touch her and was so excited. I will never forget that excitement! At four months old now Heidi is smiling back at him. Every morning- just like the morning they met- Gavin rushes in to see "baby sissy!" Even if she is sleeping and I would enjoy it to stay that way he has to go and tell her "Baby Sissy! Wake-up Baby Sissy!" No, the days can not go on with out you Heidi. You have filled such a wonderful space in all of our lives. We love you.

Heidi 4 months old

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Kas' Story

Stefan thought it would be funny to start this story with “It all started with great sex...and I'm not talking about the conception!” I laughed, but it's true so I'll explain. Sex can be used as a natural induction method.

Let me pause while I say I hate using that phrase unless my readers are familiar with it. When I say “induction” I'm sure a lot of people immediately think of drugs in a hospital setting taking a woman from zero to sixty. Natural induction methods are NOT like that at all. Basically, with the exception of a few herbs, natural induction will only work if your body is ready. It helps the process along. I had been having some pressure the day before (December 31^st). So, I thought we'd try a few things to see if my body was, in fact, ready to have the baby. At that point I was 37 weeks so it wasn't a huge deal either way. If I did go into labor it was late enough to be safe (and I was very ready to meet my son) but if I didn't it was no big deal because I still had a few weeks left.

Well, the contractions started around noon. I knew these were different than Braxton Hicks. These felt lower in my tummy and more like my uterus was pressing downward. (Braxton Hicks are more of an overall tightening) We started lazily timing them and figured out they were coming every 15 minutes. Now, that's nothing to write home about (that can actually start WEEKS before real labor) so we went about our day and kept an eye on them. A couple of hours later they were every 10 minutes. Any sort of progression can be a sign of impending labor so I called my midwife. She said to try to get some rest (she suggested a hot bath) and see if they slowed down. We were packing at the apartment so we finished what we could and came back to the house. I sat in a hot bath and would call out “contraction” to Stefan each time I had one...by this time they were coming every 7 minutes. At the end of my bath they were coming every 3-5 minutes. Around 4pm I called my doula to see what she thought. She told me to give her a couple of hours to get everything situated (she had to figure out childcare) and she'd be over. That's when I realized it was time...I was going to have my baby. And the fear set in.

Ginni (my doula) showed up around the same time as our friend Janee. By this time the contractions were set at around 4 minutes apart but not painful or anything. It was like getting really bad menstrual cramps. I should also go ahead and say that at this point I was still coughing up a storm AND Franklin was running a fever. Each cough brought on a contraction and Franklin was super clingy. Just keep all of that in mind as this story continues. For the next several hours we sat up and played old school Nintendo and cracked “That's What She Said” jokes. Ginni says it's one of the more interesting births she's attended.

I think it was around midnight when Stefan's family showed up. That's when my contractions stopped cold. When people get in my house I go into hostess mode without thinking. Ginni took me outside for a walk to try to get things moving again. It didn't work and I just kept getting more and more frustrated. She suggested going for a drive to get coffee or something but I wasn't in the mood to go anywhere. So, her next “suggestion” (quotes because it was more like a command!) was to go upstairs and take a nap. Franklin was tired and fussy because of his fever and Stefan had been sleeping with him off and on. I told her I didn't want to be rude and just leave everyone downstairs. Her reply, “You're not. Go upstairs and rest.” I figured she knew what she was talking about (I mean, she's done this more than I have) so I did. I laid in bed with Stefan and Franklin and cried. I just wanted this baby. With Franklin I was only in labor for 7 hours from water breaking to baby out. At this point it had been at least that long. I hate crying and usually try to not do it. Stefan, however, knew that crying would release some of the frustration I was feeling and let my body do what it needed to do. I closed my eyes to try to sleep. I kept waking up thinking I was having contractions again but not being totally sure. Thankfully, I did rest some and woke up to regular contractions again. At this point Janee had gone home and everyone else was pretty much in bed.

I sat and talked to Ginni. I walked around the house. I laid in bed. The contractions stayed at the same pace and intensity. And then they started to slow down again. Ginni suggested we eat something (another benefit to birthing at home: I could eat and drink constantly) so I heated up some leftover pasta. That did the trick. The contractions picked up again with more intensity. After an hour or so of contractions I had to concentrate to get through, Ginni called Salli (my midwife) and told her we were getting well on our way.

Salli came about 6am. I was curious to see how I was progressing and asked her to check. Let me tell you what kind of shock it was to find out I was at 8cm and 85% effaced. (10cm is the “golden number” and you want to be 100% effaced) She commented that my amniotic sac felt really thick, but we'll get into that more later. The contractions were uncomfortable, but not overly painful. At this point I climbed in the bathtub and hung out. Stefan got in with me for a bit, but we quickly realized that it wasn't doing anything either way and Franklin (remember, still have a sick toddler) needed him. I don't remember how long I was in the tub...but my contractions, again, started to slow down. Salli checked me and I was still 8cm but 95% effaced. Now I was getting frustrated. Salli reassured me that I was, in fact, in labor and I was progressing. She said I needed to rest. If I couldn't rest I needed to walk, but, in any case, I needed to get out of the tub. So, I started drying off and getting dressed. I cried the entire time. As I walked into the bedroom (which was full of people) Stefan said, “Everyone clear out. She's been told to rest.” (I LOVED that he did that for me) I laid in bed with him and cried again. I'd been in labor for something like 16 hours at this point and just wanted the baby OUT! I told Stefan, “I know I'm right there. I know I'm almost done. I've hit the 'I can't do this anymore' point of labor.” I remember saying that I was done and I was going to the hospital. Stefan told me I didn't mean that and Ginni confirmed by saying, “Yeah, if she meant it she'd be in the car already.”

Apparently crying is good for me...my contractions started up again. This time I had to vocalize through them. Stefan said it was kind of creepy because it's a noise he's never heard me make before. Ginni said it's a primal thing because most women make similar noises and you can't replicate it when NOT in labor. Ginni came in after a few vocalizations and said, “You sound pushy.” I asked her later what she meant and she said my noises went from one long note to more staccato (my word) sounds. (So, instead of “ooohhhhh” it was “oohhh ohhh ohhh.”) After several of those contractions I noticed I was starting to shiver a bit. Salli and Ginni took interest in this fact. Apparently, it's the outpouring of endorphins that causes it and it means your body is in transition. (Transition is the time between active labor and the pushing phase) I got super excited about this.

I was allowed to get back into the tub at this point. I had a few more contractions like the ones above. Finally, I felt this wave of calm wash over me. There was a longer break between contractions. I remember looking at Ginni and saying, “Something has changed. I feel different.” She confirmed that this was the big rush of endorphins that prepares your body for the pushing phase. Salli checked me again and we decided to break my water instead of trying to wait for it to break on its own. She said my sac was 3 layers thick (usually it's a thin membrane...) Once that was done she said I was dilated to 9cm and 100% effaced. Now I just had to wait for my body to start the pushing phase. I didn't have to wait long. The next contraction I said to Ginni, “My body is pushing and I can't help it.” She said, “That's fine. Go with it.” I realized I was on my back in the bathtub and got up onto my hands and knees. (NOT birthing on my back was one reason for a home birth) I started pushing with each contraction; I couldn't NOT push at this point. It's hard to explain if you've never felt the urge to push. I couldn't describe it, either. Finally I reached down to try to feel the baby's head and realized that I could! This was the most encouraging part. I told Ginni, she told Salli, and Salli's response was “cool!” After a couple more pushes I reached again and realized he was crowning. Again the message went through Ginni to Salli. That's when Salli came in and told Stefan if he was going to catch he needed to get ready. All I remember is seeing my husband's legs move past me as he tried to pull his pant legs up quickly. I also vaguely remember Salli or Ginni trying to get a heartbeat reading, but I couldn't stop pushing long enough for it to matter. A couple more pushes and I felt his head come out. Salli checked for a cord wrap (there wasn't one) and I pushed again. If you've never felt a baby slip out of you let me tell you that it is one of those feelings you never forget. I sat up and was handed my new baby boy.

They started checking him out. His color was good and his breathing was okay, but he had stuff in his throat. It was like thick mucous. I was on the verge of panicking. I really didn't want to have to take him to the hospital. Everyone stayed calm (Ginni kept reassuring me that everything was fine and reminding me that no one was panicked) Finally they got it suctioned out and his breathing immediately changed to more normal. I realized later (while talking to Ginni) that if I'd been in the hospital they would have snatched him up and taken him to NICU for it...but it was easily taken care of at home. Stefan got to cut the cord. After sitting in the tub for a bit (Stefan thought it was really gross...it looked like the tub in any horror movie killing) I got out, rinsed off, dried off, and was escorted to my bed. Jonathan started nursing right away. He came out quite hungry!

The rest of the story is laid back. We did the weighing and measuring (7lbs 12oz and 22 ¼ in long) Salli's assistant joked that it was only the last few hours that it sounded like someone was in labor in my house. That made me smile.

I felt, and still feel, empowered by the whole thing. I didn't have a doctor telling me how or when to push. I didn't have medication of any kind. I did it.