Finnian (Finn) River has been born! He made his way into the world peacefully and beautifully at 4:57 AM on October 13th. He weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz and was 21 inches long at birth. It was an amazing four-hour-long homebirth. Here’s the story . . . .
Early Friday morning, I woke at 12:50 AM with noticeable contractions. They were about 10 minutes apart, but not evenly spaced. I knew, however, that they were stronger that the regular Braxton-hicks I had been having for months. I woke DH and we started to get the house ready. I dressed in some comfy birthing attire, put on my birth necklace, turned on the stereo with some Hawaiian slack key guitar music (later we listened to classical Indian music – the sitar was great during strong contractions), called the midwives, and started writing in my journal. DH prepared the tub (just in case I wanted to get in it which I never did but it was nice to know it was ready) and the bed. I woke my mom too who had arrived from Maui on Wednesday night. She started work on Finn’s “birth day” cake – a delicious pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese frosting. We also called another friend who we had wanted to be present. A little before the midwives arrived my water broke and then soon after I had bloody show. I continued to labor in my room, mostly leaning on DH and swaying and dancing back and forth. In between contractions we talked and laughed with the two midwives. I felt so euphoric and joyful. Everyone was drinking tea and we could smell the baking pumpkin cake throughout the house. It really felt like a very peaceful celebration or small party. They did check my cervix at one point and I was 7 cm. They kept saying it wouldn’t be too much longer, but I just felt so good and relaxed that I kept thinking it would be a while because I thought it was going to ramp up substantially more. I was just managing the contractions very calmly and I tried to relax and welcome each one. Eventually, I went to see what my mom and friend were doing in the kitchen. I had two very strong contractions holding on to my mom. (She loved this because she told me how we had once made this journey together but I was inside of her at that time). I then knew I had to make my way back to the bedroom because something was going on down below. I made my way onto the bed with some assistance. Then I went into that very special birthing place in my body and mind. I felt my body surge as it started to push on its own. I was laying on my side and the midwife gently suggested I roll onto my back and let my legs open to let my baby come out. I thought that sounded like a good idea. My mind and body worked together as I consciously pushed with the next contraction. I gripped onto DH who was laying beside me but tried to keep the rest of my body as relaxed as possible. Finn crowned on the contraction after that. Then his head was out. I was able to look into the mirror this time and feel his head. It was definite inspiration to keep on going. One more contraction and he slid right out and was immediately placed on my chest. It felt wonderful! I had pushed for just 7 minutes. My mom immediately woke up DD and brought her in. She got right up on the bed with us and gently touched her baby brother. It was beautiful. She watched me birth the placenta and DH cut the cord once it stopped pulsing. There was a lot of blood and fluid everywhere on the bed but she totally didn’t mind. She was very into seeing her new brother and being close to me. I did hemorrhage a bit again so they gave me two shots to stop the bleeding and I tore a little so I got three stitches, but it all went very well. My midwife also had to reach in my uterus the scrape out some remaining clots, which was not fun, but I knew it had to be done. In spite of that, I felt pretty good. Definitely tired and sore around the edges, but overall still elated and so joyful. Soon after my mom brought in the cake with one candle and we sang happy birth day to Finn. DD then happily blew out the candle and we all enjoyed some delicious cake. It was all truly amazing. I am still in total awe of what I was able to do, of how incredible my little son is, and how beautiful and perfect birth can be.
Here are some photos to enjoy!
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7761.jpg
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7762.jpg
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7763.jpg
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7764.jpg
Early Friday morning, I woke at 12:50 AM with noticeable contractions. They were about 10 minutes apart, but not evenly spaced. I knew, however, that they were stronger that the regular Braxton-hicks I had been having for months. I woke DH and we started to get the house ready. I dressed in some comfy birthing attire, put on my birth necklace, turned on the stereo with some Hawaiian slack key guitar music (later we listened to classical Indian music – the sitar was great during strong contractions), called the midwives, and started writing in my journal. DH prepared the tub (just in case I wanted to get in it which I never did but it was nice to know it was ready) and the bed. I woke my mom too who had arrived from Maui on Wednesday night. She started work on Finn’s “birth day” cake – a delicious pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese frosting. We also called another friend who we had wanted to be present. A little before the midwives arrived my water broke and then soon after I had bloody show. I continued to labor in my room, mostly leaning on DH and swaying and dancing back and forth. In between contractions we talked and laughed with the two midwives. I felt so euphoric and joyful. Everyone was drinking tea and we could smell the baking pumpkin cake throughout the house. It really felt like a very peaceful celebration or small party. They did check my cervix at one point and I was 7 cm. They kept saying it wouldn’t be too much longer, but I just felt so good and relaxed that I kept thinking it would be a while because I thought it was going to ramp up substantially more. I was just managing the contractions very calmly and I tried to relax and welcome each one. Eventually, I went to see what my mom and friend were doing in the kitchen. I had two very strong contractions holding on to my mom. (She loved this because she told me how we had once made this journey together but I was inside of her at that time). I then knew I had to make my way back to the bedroom because something was going on down below. I made my way onto the bed with some assistance. Then I went into that very special birthing place in my body and mind. I felt my body surge as it started to push on its own. I was laying on my side and the midwife gently suggested I roll onto my back and let my legs open to let my baby come out. I thought that sounded like a good idea. My mind and body worked together as I consciously pushed with the next contraction. I gripped onto DH who was laying beside me but tried to keep the rest of my body as relaxed as possible. Finn crowned on the contraction after that. Then his head was out. I was able to look into the mirror this time and feel his head. It was definite inspiration to keep on going. One more contraction and he slid right out and was immediately placed on my chest. It felt wonderful! I had pushed for just 7 minutes. My mom immediately woke up DD and brought her in. She got right up on the bed with us and gently touched her baby brother. It was beautiful. She watched me birth the placenta and DH cut the cord once it stopped pulsing. There was a lot of blood and fluid everywhere on the bed but she totally didn’t mind. She was very into seeing her new brother and being close to me. I did hemorrhage a bit again so they gave me two shots to stop the bleeding and I tore a little so I got three stitches, but it all went very well. My midwife also had to reach in my uterus the scrape out some remaining clots, which was not fun, but I knew it had to be done. In spite of that, I felt pretty good. Definitely tired and sore around the edges, but overall still elated and so joyful. Soon after my mom brought in the cake with one candle and we sang happy birth day to Finn. DD then happily blew out the candle and we all enjoyed some delicious cake. It was all truly amazing. I am still in total awe of what I was able to do, of how incredible my little son is, and how beautiful and perfect birth can be.
Here are some photos to enjoy!
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7761.jpg
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7762.jpg
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7763.jpg
http://www.holdthatpic.com/photos/939/7764.jpg
C on g r a t u l a t i o n s ! 
You have a talent with words as well as with giving birth. I felt tears when you described holding onto your mother and your journeys together in birth. What an amazing, amazing day that must have been. Finn is a very special baby - and he looks so handsome. Congratulations, Oesa!
: Finn!
What an amazing story!!! Congratulations!
