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Natural Birth
Jdawnl
member
Med free water birth at a birth center - team green
Jdawnl
member
I was not a huge poster on here, but loved reading all of the natural birth stories. Hopefully this will provide encouragement for someone considering a med free birth.
Short version- FTM ctx started at 3:30 am, arrived at birth center 9:45 am, water broke at 11:30 am, delivered at 3:49 pm, 9 lb 20 in, Julia Hope! Home by 9:30 pm. 
long version
FTM. I had a great pregnancy without complications. I chose not to have an ultrasound and my midwife (CPM) supported my decision. I did not take any childbirth classes, but read Hypnobirthing, Ina May books, and the Bradley books. I chose to deliver at an independent birth center ran by my midwife. All along I planned on a water birth.
I did not have any Braxton hicks or signs of early labor. On Fathers Day, at 3:30 am at 40 weeks 3 days, I woke up to ctx at about 5-8 min apart lasting 30-70 seconds. I texted my mw and let her know, at about 5:30 am. I live an hour away from the birth center, she said to go ahead and head up when I thought I was ready. I woke up DH at 6:30 and told him he was getting a great Father's Day gift! We left at 830 and made a stop at Sonic, then arrived at 945 am. My MW checked me and I was 4-5 cm.
I labored quite well until about 11:30 when my water broke, then things got tough. My MW wanted me to be close to a 7 cm before I got in the tub, so labor would not slow or stall. Finally around 1:30 pm I climbed in the tub and it helped a ton! I think I started actively pushing around 3 pm and finally switched to hands and knees after about 20 min. that seemed to help and I delivered Julia Hope at 3:49 pm! We waited a few minutes for the cord to stop pulsing and DH cut it. The placenta was delivered shortly after! Present during delivery, DH, my mom, my doula, and my MW. DH and my MW were the most supportive, honestly. The doula was great, but her techniques just were not working. It was more a mental game to me, and my DH was able to keep me mentally calmer than anyone else.
I did tear, so DH held baby girl while I got cleaned up and climbed onto the bed for some fun! 
All in all, I had a 2nd degree inner vaginal tear, 2 skid marks that did not need stitches, and an external labial tear that needed two stitches. Luckily, perineum was intact! Woohoo! 
Baby girl latched like a pro. MW monitored us until 8 and said we could head home or stay. I wanted to get to my own home, so we left! the drive was not bad, and no complications with baby or me!
Now, over two weeks out, I am feeling mostly normal and baby girl has surpassed her birthweight by half a pound. I loved my experience and plan to use the same MW for the next baby.
Good luck to all on their journey towards med free births!
Sorry for any typos. Written on my iPad while breastfeeding. Lol
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Med free water birth at a birth center - team green
I find it interesting that you read all three books, I'm curious which one did you find more helpful in labor???
What a wonderful Father's Day present for your husband
Glad things are going well and hope you heal quickly!
Next time around, do a partial lotus birth. I have seen an incredible difference with my second child. I waited two hours to cut the cord from the placenta. She started sleeping through the night at three days and her cord stump fell off within five days (not the usual 7-10). She is also the chillest baby most people have seen. I definitely warrant delaying the cord cutting for some of those things!