Linden's natural home birth (XP from Sept 2012)

jbBeans · October 2012

Hi ladies. I usually stick to my BMB but wanted to share my home birth story here since I found that reading other stories was really helpful before going for it myself! I had a great natural/home birth experience--if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer!

Short Version: I started feeling what I figured were real contractions at about 5am on October 1st and had a bloody mucusy thing follow (I'd never lost my mp). I called my midwife around 4 when things got more regular and the first midwife showed up around 7:30. I was 6-7cm at that point and we just rocked it out from there. I got to move around, walk around, hit the shower (got me through transition) and then after pushing for about 55 minutes I gave birth to our little girl, Linden Virginia, at exactly midnight on October 2nd on our bed! She is perfect. 8 lbs 2 oz and 20.5 inches. I had a small 2nd degree tear but nothing too major.

Long version: I was pretty sure I was in "real" labour so I tried to just chill and go with it. I dealt with early labour by putzing around the house, including slicing my finger while cleaning dishes and dealing with our power going out for a few minutes (I was like, really? I'll end up in the hospital not because I'm giving birth but because I need stitches or we have no power...).

Finally at about 4 pm I called the midwife who figured I could go a bit longer on my own. She checked back in at 6:30 and MH spoke with her as I dealt with much more intense contractions--I was like, yeah, time for them to get over here! Of course, my primary midwife was dealing with 2 other births in the hospital! So another midwife I'd never met came over first. She was fantastic. When she got here, I was on my hands and knees on my bed in my underwear--my ass facing her as she came in the door. Pretty good way to meet

She checked me out and said I was at 6 or 7 cms! The baby was a bit posterior so she recommended I walk up and down the stairs to try to turn her around, and this worked pretty well. I did the stairs for about an hour. Then I remember being back on the bed and it really started to get difficult. She suggested I get in the shower, so I was kind of on my hands and knees in the shower baying like an animal (they told me I wasn't that loud but I felt like I was!) while MH rubbed my arms and talked me through it, helping me breathe and encouraging me. I went back to the bed so my mw could check me again. My water hadn't broken but it did pretty much as soon as she started to check things out. I was about 9, almost 10 cms at that point and ready to push. Somewhat miraculously, my own midwife and the student I've also seen throughout showed up just as I was ready to go. They were so excited to have made it in time which gave me a bit of a boost! I pushed on the bed for a bit on my back, then on hands and knees. They had a birthing stool which really helped to get the baby down and into position. She had been coming out with her head a bit to the side (resulting in a very funny lopsided conehead...). I then went back to the bed on my back and finally pushed her all the way out. That moment is seriously just surreal when they hand the baby to you. I was surprised she was a she! They stitched up a couple of small tears, and everything was pretty smooth from there.All in all, it was an amazing experience. MH impressed me--he was so calm and really supportive--I feel I love him more now than ever before. Being at home was awesome. It was so nice to just get tucked into our bed afterwards--I basically slept the whole night with Linden on my chest. I think the atmosphere definitely helped me relax and feel like I could totally do it. I highly recommend home birth if it's something you're considering!Thanks for reading

Mrs.Syntax · October 2012

Great story! Congrats!

jinnymb · October 2012

Congrats on your little girl and your home birth!!

LaurelBee · October 2012

Great job mama! Thanks for sharing and congrats on your sweet baby girl!

3GirlsMama · October 2012

Great story! Congratulations!

MidwestSeashell · October 2012

So awesome!! Thank you for sharing your story. I love love love your babe's name. Are you an herb enthusiast? Linden is a beautiful herb with an affinity for the heart. Congratulations, strong mama

jbBeans · October 2012

MidwestSeashell:
So awesome!! Thank you for sharing your story. I love love love your babe's name. Are you an herb enthusiast? Linden is a beautiful herb with an affinity for the heart. Congratulations, strong mama lt;3

Thanks! My MIL's name is Linda so it just kind of came to us when we were tossing out names. But we also liked that it's A tree/herb!

2PuppiesHon · October 2012

Congrats! That's awesome!

Mrs E in Oregon · October 2012

What a beautiful and inspiring birth story! I am on track (though early on) for my homebirth this spring. I am going to have to bookmark this post so I reread it as we get closer to our baby's birthday.

Congrats!!!