Homebirth Story

VKMA · October 2007

Our daughter was born a week ago at home...Friday afternoon (I was 5 days late at that point) I had an appt w/ my midwife and she stripped my membranes. She said it might or might not work, to try some herbs also and just see what happened. Well we got an early dinner and went to the store to get the herbs, changed our minds, and went home. The whole time I was having period-like cramps, but didn't think it was anything.

Around 9 or 10 that night I realized they were probably contractions, so we called the midwife and she said it sounded like they were and to try to get some sleep before things got going...a couple hours (and no sleep) later, the contractions were getting stronger so we called back and asked her to come in another few hours, so she arrived around 3 am.

By then, MH and the midwife got the tub set up, and between getting in and out of the shower and the birth tub, I felt a LOT better. I hadn't planned a water birth, but was so glad to have that tub.

Sometime very early in the morning, the second midwife and two doula/assistants arrived. It was great to have so much support from these women who I already knew and trusted. I labored in the birth tub with MH surrounded by candles and listening to Bob Marley, Edwin McCain, Counting Crows and Tracy Chapman, with the midwives and doulas monitoring everything and supporting me as the contractions became even stronger. The whole time, all the way up until the baby was born, someone (usually MH) had to push on my back. I remember asking how much longer over and over and it seemed like she was never going to come out!

Finally sometime I think around 10 am, I was in the shower and all of a sudden found myself on my hands and knees pushing with each contraction, so they got me back into the tub in our guest room where there would be more room to have the baby. Pushing was HARD work but much more satisfying than just getting through the contractions. It wasn't until I reached down and felt the baby's head that I realized she was really going to come out. Once I felt her head, I pushed one more time and all of a sudden she was in the water with MH and I and we just scooped her up and held her while the midwives did what they needed to do (I was barely noticing anything at this point).

I got out of the water to deliver the placenta in bed, and while one midwife and MH checked the baby out, I got stiched up (I had a very small tear). Then they cleaned everything up, made us dinner, helped me and the baby to breastfeed, and tucked our new family of 3 into bed.

I am so thankful that I had the birth that I wanted and that we were supported in a way that allowed things to progress naturally and by people that we knew so well. I will always remember my baby coming entering the world into my own hands and then resting and recovering in the comfort of our own home.

philnshannon · October 2007

what a wonderful birth story. i'm so glad you were able to do it in the comfort of your own home. i'm in such awe of anyone who goes through labor without drugs!