The Delivery I prayed For
When we decided to have another baby, I knew that I wanted the experience to be different from my previous labors and deliveries. We knew that we wanted the gender to be a surprise to everyone as well as have a home water birth. Once we got the positive test, I began researching local midwives in the area and found Chris, she was the perfect fit for what I needed and wanted.
On Tuesday, July 5, at 40 weeks and 5 days I started to have contractions again. I had some previously and had even called Chris so when I called her again on Tuesday night, I told her that I hoped it wasn’t another false alarm. It was around 9:40 pm and I had been having consistent contractions for about 2 hours but was able to talk through them and no one else even knew I had been timing them. Chris told me that she would be on her way shortly with the other ladies and to let her know if things changed.
While we waited for Chris we let our parents, who were visiting from out of state, and our kids know that I was probably in labor. I was in a bit of denial as I was still walking and talking through most of the contractions. We got the birth pool set up and our neighbor brought over some bedding and mattresses in case it was a long night.
Around 11:00 pm I was checked and only at 2 cm. I felt a little disappointed as I thought I would be further along with all the contractions. I spent some time walking up and down the stairs to open my hips. I remember trying to labor in bed but not getting comfortable, so I started leaning on and swaying on any surface that was nearby – the bed, the bathroom countertop, even the arm of the couch. Chris showed my husband how to apply counter pressure and do hip squeezes to help relieve the pressure I was feeling.
He did a fantastic job once he knew what to do, our other 3 children were born in a hospital with epidurals, so this was a new skill for him. He stayed close by to help me through each of the waves and if he wasn’t around one of the assistants would step in and help relieve the pain.
At this point, I have lost all track of time and it all seems like it was in slow motion but fast at the same time. I remember telling them I would be happy if I could sit in a tub of ice. I was extremely warm and started feeling like I was sweating. Shortly after that, they told me that the birth pool was ready if I wanted to get in. I made it there as fast as possible and felt more relaxed since I wasn’t standing through the contractions or walking around waiting for the next one.
I had listened to the Christian Hypnobirthing app during my pregnancy to help me relax and even though I completely forgot to have it playing during my labor, I was able to use the relaxation methods on my own. I remember telling myself to relax my shoulders and breath with each wave instead of tensing up. It was a noticeable difference when I reminded myself to relax and go with it.
According to my husband, I was only in the birth tub for about 30 minutes. I remember Chris asking me if I was pushing and I told her no even though we both knew that I was. The next thing I know, she is telling me to reach down and when I did, I could feel the baby’s head and a full head of hair! It seemed like forever after that before the baby was born but looking back at the video, there was no time, and the baby was in my arms.
Our kids had all decided on a job to have once the baby was born. Our son just wanted to know what the baby was but didn’t want to see anything, he was hoping for a brother. Our older daughter wanted to announce the gender and name, and our youngest daughter wanted to cut the cord. Now with the baby in my arms, I called out for our daughter while trying to keep the baby covered until she could announce the gender. To our surprise, she calls out, “It’s a girl” – Rachel Ann, born on July 6, at 1:47 a.m. Our youngest daughter did a great job cutting the cord and our son now has 3 sisters and remains the only boy.
To have our newest baby girl, born at home surrounded by family and friends was absolutely amazing. I felt completely supported; I was allowed to labor in positions that were comfortable to me with gentle direction and suggestions from Chris. It was the labor and delivery that I had prayed for all those months.