Hi Mamas,
Our beautiful (still nameless!) little girl was born at home, in water after a 23 hour labor on Tuesday, February 12. She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and measured 19 inches.
I've written out her birth story for the first time mamas like me who maybe have thought- can I really do a home birth?! YES!!! I know that if I was in the hospital I would have been given drugs to speed labor up (I had not progressed at all after 15 hours) and then a C- section (due to low heart tones at the end.) At home- I was given time, space, encouragement and delivered safely without issue.
Her original due date was Valentines day so she arrived only a few days early. I hadn't felt like I was ready for her to come- I was still working full time and had a project on and there was some emotional family issues that were unresolved. But Monday night I called my sister to discuss the birth plan, took a lavender bath and asked DH to sit besides me and just connect- and then I asked if we could watch a movie in bed together. My aunt had writen a very healing e-mail about my mom and I felt I was at peace and had a new perspective.
During the movie, the baby was super active. She seemed to be all over the place. When the flick ended- I used the bathroom, and thinking I was done- stood up and felt a trickle. It was one of those classic- was that my water or did I just pee myself moments. A few minutes later, I saw blood stained mucous and had a few more gushes and it confirmed that it was the real deal!
We called the midwife, sister and dad and then tried to go to bed. From 11 pm to 11 am we had contractions every 3-6 minutes. The midwife arrived and checked me and I wasn't even at 1 cm! She suggested wine, a rest and for her to come back in a few hours.
When she did, I still hadn't progressed. So we took a walk outside and continued walking inside. I labored on the couch and slept in between contractions. By 5 pm, it was time to step things up. The second midwife arrived and made up just a few mls of herbal tincture. Mentally, we geared up for making each contraction more effective. We played chants to Shiva and Ganesh. DH went to bed and left me in the capable hands of the two midwives, sister and dad.
By 7pm I was in the shower and felt the need to lie down in the bath. With the shower head running over me, I felt this amazing wave come over me like a convulsion. Then again, again, again. My sister woke up my husband and he joined me and the MW's in the bathroom. The baby was being monitered by doppler the whole time and her heart tones were dipping. The MW's were great and suggested we change position and check me one more time.
On the bed, more surges- which the MW's were like- try not to push- that is pushing- they kept happening and in between finally had a moment to be checked. I was 10 + !!! They were like- push! If you want to push you can! They filled up the birth tub and after an hour of being in the water with very effective contractions- our little girl was born!
What a healing, healing, healing experience on so many levels. The biggest lesson I can take away is to trust, have faith and believe in your body and in your baby. Women are so powerful and I feel so blessed to be in this great chain of mothers. What a gift and such a great start to be born in such a mindful, loving and joyous way.
Thanks for letting me share my story!
Lots of love to all you Feb. mamas and so soon to be mamas!
xo
Mj
Our beautiful (still nameless!) little girl was born at home, in water after a 23 hour labor on Tuesday, February 12. She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and measured 19 inches.
I've written out her birth story for the first time mamas like me who maybe have thought- can I really do a home birth?! YES!!! I know that if I was in the hospital I would have been given drugs to speed labor up (I had not progressed at all after 15 hours) and then a C- section (due to low heart tones at the end.) At home- I was given time, space, encouragement and delivered safely without issue.
Her original due date was Valentines day so she arrived only a few days early. I hadn't felt like I was ready for her to come- I was still working full time and had a project on and there was some emotional family issues that were unresolved. But Monday night I called my sister to discuss the birth plan, took a lavender bath and asked DH to sit besides me and just connect- and then I asked if we could watch a movie in bed together. My aunt had writen a very healing e-mail about my mom and I felt I was at peace and had a new perspective.
During the movie, the baby was super active. She seemed to be all over the place. When the flick ended- I used the bathroom, and thinking I was done- stood up and felt a trickle. It was one of those classic- was that my water or did I just pee myself moments. A few minutes later, I saw blood stained mucous and had a few more gushes and it confirmed that it was the real deal!
We called the midwife, sister and dad and then tried to go to bed. From 11 pm to 11 am we had contractions every 3-6 minutes. The midwife arrived and checked me and I wasn't even at 1 cm! She suggested wine, a rest and for her to come back in a few hours.
When she did, I still hadn't progressed. So we took a walk outside and continued walking inside. I labored on the couch and slept in between contractions. By 5 pm, it was time to step things up. The second midwife arrived and made up just a few mls of herbal tincture. Mentally, we geared up for making each contraction more effective. We played chants to Shiva and Ganesh. DH went to bed and left me in the capable hands of the two midwives, sister and dad.
By 7pm I was in the shower and felt the need to lie down in the bath. With the shower head running over me, I felt this amazing wave come over me like a convulsion. Then again, again, again. My sister woke up my husband and he joined me and the MW's in the bathroom. The baby was being monitered by doppler the whole time and her heart tones were dipping. The MW's were great and suggested we change position and check me one more time.
On the bed, more surges- which the MW's were like- try not to push- that is pushing- they kept happening and in between finally had a moment to be checked. I was 10 + !!! They were like- push! If you want to push you can! They filled up the birth tub and after an hour of being in the water with very effective contractions- our little girl was born!
What a healing, healing, healing experience on so many levels. The biggest lesson I can take away is to trust, have faith and believe in your body and in your baby. Women are so powerful and I feel so blessed to be in this great chain of mothers. What a gift and such a great start to be born in such a mindful, loving and joyous way.
Thanks for letting me share my story!
Lots of love to all you Feb. mamas and so soon to be mamas!
xo
Mj
: THanks so much for sharing your story with us!!!
congratulations!
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