O.K. Where to start...Well, we found out I was pregnant in the
bathroom at my mother in law's house. We had just decided a few months prior that we would stop using birth control and leave this matter up to God.
Next, we went to find out about getting some medical assistance which led us to the crisis pregnancy center. ( don't ask me why ) Anyway, there I took a pregnancy test and a counselor talked to us about it. She was seeing if we had planned this and wanted this baby and stuff like that. When she found out that we were married, planned for this baby and wanted this baby, she also wondered why we were at the center. All this becomes clear a few months later.
Well, so far, no morning sickness. I just get a little car sick sometimes. No biggie! I've been going to all my appointments. Doing fine, just not gaining enough weight to suit them. Sorry, I'm small and just don't gain weight easily. Then around month 5, I'm guessing, the counselor from the crisis pregnancy center, B.J., calls me and offers to be my birthing assistant. I jumped at that! I so wanted someone to help me through this. To let me know what was going on. I had no family nearby so I felt alone. So, we set up a date, and we got things started. We met every Friday night and discussed what was going on in my body. What stage my baby was at in development and what to expect during labor. We also discussed relaxation techniques because I was determined to have a drug free birth. We planned on a hospital birth but wanted things to be as natural as possible. Meaning, no cuts, no needles, no drugs!!
One Friday, B.J. invited us to her house to meet with some friends of hers. One couple, who had recently given birth at home. A thought which had never entered my mind nor my husband's. In fact, when we heard that we were pertty taken aback. This was very uncommon, homebirth. We watched the video, short though it was. She had a real fast labor, they almost didn't get it on tape! Anyway, that night after we went home, I kept thinking about homebirth. "What an awesome idea," I thought. But I didnt say anything. I didn't know what my husband, Brad, would think of the idea. I wasn't even real sure of my own thoughts yet. So, I just thought about it some more as the months passed.
Then, about month seven, Brad and I were talking and the subject of homebirth came up. Don't know how, but it did. We just stopped, looked at each other and said yes. We decided that was what we wanted to do. The next night was our scheduled meeting with B.J. We told her we had decided we wanted a homebirth. She said she had a feeling we were going to do that. Not that she had in any way encouraged us to do so but she just had a "feeling". So, the rest of that evening we just focused more on those relaxation techniques.
The rest of our meetings with B.J. were also attended by Lisa, she's the one who recently had a homebirth. We listened to the baby's heart beat and checked it's position. Everything was going great.
Nearing the end of month nine now. Boy, am I tired of being pregnant! I've had a real easy pregnancy, but I don't want to be pregnant anymore. I start asking everyone for a sure fire way to start labor. I get many suggestiong none are working. Then one suggests rough sex. She said it has worked for her twice already and plans on doing it again for this one. So, we tried that. Woohoo!! It worked! In a matter of hours, labor started. At first, I thought, "No, this can't be it. Things are happening too fast" Everyting I had read said that contractions start slow then gradually become stronger and closer together and more regular. So, when I start feeling this pretty intensely every 5 minutes, you can imagine my shock. I tell Brad that I think this is really it. My contractions have been coming every 5 or so minutes for over an hour now. He calls B.J. and she says that sounds real to her so she calls Lisa and they are on their way. By the time they get there I am trying to relax in the tub. That helps but not enough, so out I come. Things continue to progress so our family and friends are called. All who are to be at the birth. I am in and out of the bath and the shower. That hot water really helps!
Then, I start having back labor. Ouch, that hurt! The only way I could make it through a contraction was to be on my hands and knees. I would rock myself back and forth then side to side. I was getting so tired so I was given some skull cap to help me sleep between contractions. That was fine, but when I laid down and a contraction hit, I'd jump back up on all fours. Now, I don't know how long I have been in labor at this point. I just know that it's been a long time and I am exhausted.
My midwives are starting to worry because it doesnt seem like the baby is moving down. They tell me I need to get into a squat to help my baby move down. I try but I can't get up. The contractions hit so hard and so fast I can't move. I try and try again only to collapse to all fours. Again I try, Brad pulling me up, I wrap my arms around his neck and I make it. I'm up! Contraction!! I just hang there around Brad's neck. Poor guy. He supported me emotionally and physically throughout this whole thing. But this was so intense, he had to support all my weight with his tired arms. Our friends have been told of what's happening, and they gather at my doorway and pray. I can hear them. My friends over the internet have also ben told. We have people around the world praying for us now. I can do it! I feel my baby moving!
OUCH....ring of fire. Baby's almost here. Everyone is commenting on all the dark hair. That's all they see, lots of dark hair. They ask if I want to touch my baby or see it. I just push. I just want this baby out. I can see and touch it all I want then. A few more deep pushes, the head is out. The shoulders get stuck. Back on all fours so my baby can be turned. Ok, shoulders are clear. Now the hips, the baby is turned again. The baby is out with just another push or two. After 27 hours of labor that beautiful baby is finally handed to me. It's a boy! Weighing in at around 8lb. his name is Levi Thomas. As I lie back holding my baby, Brad drops to his knees at the side of our bed, thanking God for giving us this child and for getting us through this safely. He looks up, tears filling his eyes, and just smiles at me and his newborn son.
Next, the first attempt to breastfeed. He latches on. That's great! Then daddy cuts the cord. Then gramma takes Levi because it's time to deliver the placenta. Wow, noone ever told me how much this would hurt. The contractions seemed so intense but getting me nowhere. It hurt so bad. I just sat there in a squat crying and pushing until it was out. Now, it is buried at Lisa's house, with flowers growing on it.
My little man is now almost 1 year old. I can't believe that. And still going strong. He is quite a big boy. Weighing in at around 30 lb at 11 mo.
Now, homebirth isn't for everyone, but it sure was the right choice for us. Even though it was long, I'd do it all over again. I plan on having all our children in the comfort of our home, wherever that may be.
Copyright 1998 by author
Used by permission
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