- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Birth Stories
NeroDoo
member
My homebirth/hypnobirth Story
NeroDoo
member
On Tuesday, April 12th, we had our 40 week (due date) appointment. It was kind of a discouraging appointment because our talks focused on inevitable interventions if the baby didn't arrive soon. We left with a script to schedule a sonogram for Friday and advice to have lots of sex and do lots of squats. So, we went home and did just that! I went to bed around 10 PM, planning to go into work the next morning.
I woke up around 1:30 am feeling "something." I thought maybe it was contractions, but I couldn't really tell because I only noticed I had one after it had woken me up. The wheels in my head started turning and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I went upstairs to chat with Michael, who was still awake. We both went to bed a few minutes later, except I couldn't get back to sleep. I continued to notice the contractions more and more. They were slightly uncomfortable, but not bad. Around 3:00 I decided to move out to the couch in order to get some sleep. Still awake around 4:00, I decided to get up and make myself a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Walking around the kitchen was pretty uncomfortable so I quickly settled back to the couch to eat. I only got through half before I lost my appetite and started to have to "deal" with the discomfort.
At 4:27 (I remember this exactly), I whipped out the contraction timing app on my phone and thought I would see if there was any pattern. To my surprise, after an hour of timing the contractions were averaging 4 1/2 - 5 minutes apart and one minute long. That was really surprising to me because I thought no way could this be it already. I woke Michael up and said "Mike, I think I'm in labor, I'm at 5-1-1." I didn't know whether or not to call the midwife yet, even though this is the milestone in which she said to call. It was only 5:30 and I didn't want to wake her with those "first time mom" labor jitters. Well I gave it 10 more minutes and decided I needed to call. She groggily answered and advised me to give it another hour because usually when things start this fast, they will slow down. I gave it another hour and told Michael to text my boss that I would not be coming in to work.
Michael went into full labor-prepping mode. He first blew up the birth tub, then went around the house clearing off dishes and tidying up. I wanted to wash the bathrooms and change into something that wasn't a night shirt, but I was only able to scrub one toilet before I needed to start really concentrating on the contractions. I tried laying on the couch to get through them, but that was unbearable and made me easily lose control. I went to the bathroom in between a contraction and decided to hang out on the toilet for awhile. I was able to get through them much easier this way. The intensity was less and I felt more in control.
At this point I was really trying to use my Hypnobirthing breathing techniques and positive affirmations. The slow, focused breathing was the best way for me to get through each one. I was surprised that I told myself I didn't think I could do it and that I would probably cave into pain relief if I was at a hospital. When I started to feel that way, I would tell myself positive affirmations such as "my body is meant to do this." That really helped, and it was encouraging to know it eased the severity of the contractions. I just had to make sure to really focus.
Also around this time, I started my bloody show (I guess). I thought it was something that would stop, but it continued through the end of my labor. It was just like a period, and I had to wear a pad to keep from leaking.
Then, I decided to move to the bedroom. I found my favorite position, which was having both hands and one knee on the bed, and the other leg planted firmly on the floor. When I felt the contractions peak, I braced myself and rocked back and forth until it passed. By now, things were extremely consistent and I learned that I could handle them as long as I focused on my breathing, anticipated the peak of each contraction, and occasionally recited a positive affirmation to myself. It was probably around 7:00 at this point. Michael timed a few contractions for me (I believe they were 3-4 minutes apart at this time), then he called the midwife. She told him to give me another half hour and if things were still moving along in the same way, then she would be right over. (Her and the birth center were only about 10 minutes from my home).
Contractions at this time were as strong as they were going to get and I was handling them by continuing to do the things I mentioned before. I pretty much stayed in the same position with an occasional break of focus for a sip of water or to stretch. A few times I lost control because I was not back in my position by the peak of the contraction. That was a scary, helpless feeling to not feel like I was in control of my body, but that only happened once or twice. The break in between each started feeling shorter, and it was taking me more time to recover after each one, which is why I didn't want to move from my position.
Unfortunately I had to pee, so I made my way back to the toilet and labored there for a bit. That is when I first felt an urge to push. It freaked me out because I couldn't imagine being far enough into my labor to feel that urge, plus it was a very odd feeling, similar to the involuntary impulse you get before you vomit. I told Michael I really needed the midwife to be here and to call her back. He called and got the message machine, but she had previously said she'd be over right after she picked up her supplies from the Birth Center. It was about 8:00 at this point.
I made my way back to the bed and got back into my favorite position. I had an occasional urge to push but i was having mostly normal non-pushing contractions. I stayed this way until the midwife arrived around 8:30. She asked Michael if we had bought Chux pads, to which he said no. She said for him to run to Walgreens real quick to pick some up. First she wanted to check my dilation, though. As soon as she did, she said "Michael, you're not going anywhere. We're having this baby soon." Apparently I was at 7 cm and she could "stretch me all the way to 10." She called her assistant to come quick and to bring some Chux pads.
With one of my next contractions, my water broke. I was on all fours on the bed at this point, and I remember barely giving it a second thought. Thinking back though, it felt like a small warm gush that went down one of my legs. If I had to guess, it felt like about a fist full amount of fluid. Not nearly as much as I anticipated. When it broke I remember thinking "Oh yeah, I forgot that was supposed to happen!"
Around this time, Michael asked if he should start filling the birth tub. The midwife asked me if I wanted to use it, so I said to fill it up just incase. He didn't get it filled past about 2 inches before we ditched that idea.
I was getting more pushing urges, so the midwife had me lie on my back on the bed while she sat cross legged at my feet. She had me put my feet up on her knees. She coached me to go ahead and bear down with each urge. It was such a bizarre feeling and a completely different one than I anticipated. But I felt completely confident in her direction. She told me just when to push, and when to ease up, and when to keep going. It's a hard moment to describe, but It all felt very "right" too. With the pushing, the discomfort of the contractions disappeared. I wouldn't say I felt discomfort while pushing, it was more of a relief. A very intense relief.
Which each urge, it felt like the baby was getting closer and closer to being born. It was an exciting time to know I was so close! It felt like there were zillions of hands down there, although I couldn't really tell what was going on. Later I learned that the midwife was applying a warm ginger compress in between pushes, and I think she was also applying olive oil to help stretch me. I heard her tell Michael to feel the head at one point. And then when baby was crowning, she had me feel it, too. With another big push, baby was born through the wast, then I gave it one last push a moment later and baby was out! Michael helped to catch baby and place it on my abdomen, and I remember thinking it was so warm and cozy! It was 9:07 am. I remember going right for the legs and looking to see. It was a girl! An amazing moment. I had a daughter! As soon as she was born, I felt like 100% and had complete relief. When the cord stopped pulsing, Michael cut it. I delivered the placenta a few minutes after baby. I can't remember whether that happened before or after the cord cutting. I couldn't feel anything when I delivered the placenta. The midwife told me to push, so I pushed and apparently it came right out. I wouldn't have known unless she told me. My one regret is that I didn't get a chance to see it. Oh well! I didn't have any tears, only a few "skid marks" and a bruise.
Baby looked great and healthy and barely let out one quick cry. She didn't even need the nasal aspirator. It was amazing to be able to lay in bed, the same place I delivered my baby, and just relax and absorb the moment. Within a few minutes, baby had inched her way up to my breast and started suckling. That was an incredible thing to watch! She was so alert and peaceful. After about a half hour, the miwdife had to leave to get back to the Birth Center. Apparently it was a busy day there. So, her assistant stayed with us. We rested and bonded with the baby for about an hour, then the assistant placed her on the bed near my feet to perform her newborn exam. 6lbs, 6 oz, 20" long. Everything else looked great. At around 11:00 am, 2 hours after birth, we were cleaned up, tucked in, and were left to be a family of three for the first time.
We had a few name ideas before delivery, and eventually settled on Emery Claire.Here is a link of Emery a few days oldhttps://tinypic.com/r/2hmqakh/7
I woke up around 1:30 am feeling "something." I thought maybe it was contractions, but I couldn't really tell because I only noticed I had one after it had woken me up. The wheels in my head started turning and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I went upstairs to chat with Michael, who was still awake. We both went to bed a few minutes later, except I couldn't get back to sleep. I continued to notice the contractions more and more. They were slightly uncomfortable, but not bad. Around 3:00 I decided to move out to the couch in order to get some sleep. Still awake around 4:00, I decided to get up and make myself a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Walking around the kitchen was pretty uncomfortable so I quickly settled back to the couch to eat. I only got through half before I lost my appetite and started to have to "deal" with the discomfort.
At 4:27 (I remember this exactly), I whipped out the contraction timing app on my phone and thought I would see if there was any pattern. To my surprise, after an hour of timing the contractions were averaging 4 1/2 - 5 minutes apart and one minute long. That was really surprising to me because I thought no way could this be it already. I woke Michael up and said "Mike, I think I'm in labor, I'm at 5-1-1." I didn't know whether or not to call the midwife yet, even though this is the milestone in which she said to call. It was only 5:30 and I didn't want to wake her with those "first time mom" labor jitters. Well I gave it 10 more minutes and decided I needed to call. She groggily answered and advised me to give it another hour because usually when things start this fast, they will slow down. I gave it another hour and told Michael to text my boss that I would not be coming in to work.
Michael went into full labor-prepping mode. He first blew up the birth tub, then went around the house clearing off dishes and tidying up. I wanted to wash the bathrooms and change into something that wasn't a night shirt, but I was only able to scrub one toilet before I needed to start really concentrating on the contractions. I tried laying on the couch to get through them, but that was unbearable and made me easily lose control. I went to the bathroom in between a contraction and decided to hang out on the toilet for awhile. I was able to get through them much easier this way. The intensity was less and I felt more in control.
At this point I was really trying to use my Hypnobirthing breathing techniques and positive affirmations. The slow, focused breathing was the best way for me to get through each one. I was surprised that I told myself I didn't think I could do it and that I would probably cave into pain relief if I was at a hospital. When I started to feel that way, I would tell myself positive affirmations such as "my body is meant to do this." That really helped, and it was encouraging to know it eased the severity of the contractions. I just had to make sure to really focus.
Also around this time, I started my bloody show (I guess). I thought it was something that would stop, but it continued through the end of my labor. It was just like a period, and I had to wear a pad to keep from leaking.
Then, I decided to move to the bedroom. I found my favorite position, which was having both hands and one knee on the bed, and the other leg planted firmly on the floor. When I felt the contractions peak, I braced myself and rocked back and forth until it passed. By now, things were extremely consistent and I learned that I could handle them as long as I focused on my breathing, anticipated the peak of each contraction, and occasionally recited a positive affirmation to myself. It was probably around 7:00 at this point. Michael timed a few contractions for me (I believe they were 3-4 minutes apart at this time), then he called the midwife. She told him to give me another half hour and if things were still moving along in the same way, then she would be right over. (Her and the birth center were only about 10 minutes from my home).
Contractions at this time were as strong as they were going to get and I was handling them by continuing to do the things I mentioned before. I pretty much stayed in the same position with an occasional break of focus for a sip of water or to stretch. A few times I lost control because I was not back in my position by the peak of the contraction. That was a scary, helpless feeling to not feel like I was in control of my body, but that only happened once or twice. The break in between each started feeling shorter, and it was taking me more time to recover after each one, which is why I didn't want to move from my position.
Unfortunately I had to pee, so I made my way back to the toilet and labored there for a bit. That is when I first felt an urge to push. It freaked me out because I couldn't imagine being far enough into my labor to feel that urge, plus it was a very odd feeling, similar to the involuntary impulse you get before you vomit. I told Michael I really needed the midwife to be here and to call her back. He called and got the message machine, but she had previously said she'd be over right after she picked up her supplies from the Birth Center. It was about 8:00 at this point.
I made my way back to the bed and got back into my favorite position. I had an occasional urge to push but i was having mostly normal non-pushing contractions. I stayed this way until the midwife arrived around 8:30. She asked Michael if we had bought Chux pads, to which he said no. She said for him to run to Walgreens real quick to pick some up. First she wanted to check my dilation, though. As soon as she did, she said "Michael, you're not going anywhere. We're having this baby soon." Apparently I was at 7 cm and she could "stretch me all the way to 10." She called her assistant to come quick and to bring some Chux pads.
With one of my next contractions, my water broke. I was on all fours on the bed at this point, and I remember barely giving it a second thought. Thinking back though, it felt like a small warm gush that went down one of my legs. If I had to guess, it felt like about a fist full amount of fluid. Not nearly as much as I anticipated. When it broke I remember thinking "Oh yeah, I forgot that was supposed to happen!"
Around this time, Michael asked if he should start filling the birth tub. The midwife asked me if I wanted to use it, so I said to fill it up just incase. He didn't get it filled past about 2 inches before we ditched that idea.
I was getting more pushing urges, so the midwife had me lie on my back on the bed while she sat cross legged at my feet. She had me put my feet up on her knees. She coached me to go ahead and bear down with each urge. It was such a bizarre feeling and a completely different one than I anticipated. But I felt completely confident in her direction. She told me just when to push, and when to ease up, and when to keep going. It's a hard moment to describe, but It all felt very "right" too. With the pushing, the discomfort of the contractions disappeared. I wouldn't say I felt discomfort while pushing, it was more of a relief. A very intense relief.
Which each urge, it felt like the baby was getting closer and closer to being born. It was an exciting time to know I was so close! It felt like there were zillions of hands down there, although I couldn't really tell what was going on. Later I learned that the midwife was applying a warm ginger compress in between pushes, and I think she was also applying olive oil to help stretch me. I heard her tell Michael to feel the head at one point. And then when baby was crowning, she had me feel it, too. With another big push, baby was born through the wast, then I gave it one last push a moment later and baby was out! Michael helped to catch baby and place it on my abdomen, and I remember thinking it was so warm and cozy! It was 9:07 am. I remember going right for the legs and looking to see. It was a girl! An amazing moment. I had a daughter! As soon as she was born, I felt like 100% and had complete relief. When the cord stopped pulsing, Michael cut it. I delivered the placenta a few minutes after baby. I can't remember whether that happened before or after the cord cutting. I couldn't feel anything when I delivered the placenta. The midwife told me to push, so I pushed and apparently it came right out. I wouldn't have known unless she told me. My one regret is that I didn't get a chance to see it. Oh well! I didn't have any tears, only a few "skid marks" and a bruise.
Baby looked great and healthy and barely let out one quick cry. She didn't even need the nasal aspirator. It was amazing to be able to lay in bed, the same place I delivered my baby, and just relax and absorb the moment. Within a few minutes, baby had inched her way up to my breast and started suckling. That was an incredible thing to watch! She was so alert and peaceful. After about a half hour, the miwdife had to leave to get back to the Birth Center. Apparently it was a busy day there. So, her assistant stayed with us. We rested and bonded with the baby for about an hour, then the assistant placed her on the bed near my feet to perform her newborn exam. 6lbs, 6 oz, 20" long. Everything else looked great. At around 11:00 am, 2 hours after birth, we were cleaned up, tucked in, and were left to be a family of three for the first time.
We had a few name ideas before delivery, and eventually settled on Emery Claire.Here is a link of Emery a few days oldhttps://tinypic.com/r/2hmqakh/7
This discussion has been closed.
Re: My homebirth/hypnobirth Story
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
That is one amazing story!
besides that, I have to say, your name choice is absolutely beautiful. Although I'm spelling it differently, that's my daughters name as well