19 Sep Welcoming baby L!

It was such an honor to be invited into this family’s story to help welcome their 3rd baby into the world!  So much love filled the house as mom and dad welcomed this little one into the water surrounded by support and peace.  Thank you to this strong, sweet mama for sharing her story and photos!

3:00pm – I was laying down in bed with Rowan resting and when I go up, I started noticing my contractions becoming noticeably consistent.  I started timing them and they were already predictable at 4 min apart for over an hour.

4:00-5:00pm – I texted my sister to come get the kids and while we waited for her, I hopped into the bathtub.  Rowan had to get into the tub with me and Maxi sat next to the tub and brushed my hair between contractions.  The sweetest last moment with just my 2 babies.

7:00pm – contractions were getting more intense and I was really having to breathe through every surge intentionally.  My best friend and doula, Sara, showed up and cleaned my house while Andy tended to me and I let my midwives know Iw as for them to come.

8:15pm – my midwives showed up and quietly came into our home.  Andy and I were in our bedroom and I was using my peanut ball to feel some kind of comfort through surges.  I labored on our bed and on the bedroom floor for about an hour and a half.  I was not able to get through the contractions without Andy doing hip squeezes and holding them tight until the wave subsided.  This is when things started getting really intense and I was feeling negative thoughts of “why did I choose to do this?” It was a fight within my mind to remain calm.

9:00pm – I was losing steam.  I told Andy to keep reminding me to relax when a wave came on because my body wanted to tense up. I said I needed to get the water and need it now! I tried to get and up and walk to the living rom and another surge came on STRONG.  My Student Midwife Kayla stepped in to do a hip squeeze while Andy held a cold cloth to my head.  When it was over I quickly went out and go into the pool.

9:15pm – I got into the pool and felt another surge coming.  I told Andy to get into the water immediately because I still needed hip squeezes through every contraction and he jumped in immediately! I stayed in this position for the next hours; leaning over the pool and taking every wave one by one.  I wasn’t able to just breathe through them. I have to use deep sounds through each one. Every wave, my voice got louder and the contraction stronger. Andy was behind me applying pressure and Sara was in front of me reapply an ice cloth during each surge.

9:15pm-10:00pm – the room as calm and dark with worship music playing in the background. Andy was singing and praying over me and then came a point where I was silent in between contractions.  I could feel the peace in the room and felt so supported.

10:05pm – Kayla was using her flashlight and mirror to see progress in the water and said that every contraction was bringing the baby closer and she see the difference. There was a contraction where I felt the urge to push and I was vocalizing much louder.  I felt a huge POP sensation and Andy felt it too just from holding me.  It was my water breaking.

10:11pm – one more contractions came on and my body was pushing on its own. I leaned into it and baby’s head came out and then body all in one push.  I felt instant relief and Andy reached into the water being mindful of the cord and bringing baby right to my chest.  Our baby boy was brought into the world surrounded by peace and love. We did it together.