Hi my name's Tara, I'm Levi's mom. I thought it might be nice to share his birth story. Levi was born at home and that isn't very common "now-a-days". Yes, we planned it, this wasn't an accident or something that happened because we had no other choice..
We found out I was pregnant in July of 1996. We were very excited about this because we had wanted kids from day one. We had just moved to Kentucky so were unfamiliar with things yet. We also needed financial assistance for my prenatal care, so we were told to go to the crisis pregnancy center to get a pregnancy test. Why? Who knows, but it was God's plan for us to go there and meet B.J. She was dumbfounded as to why we were there. This place is generally for teens with unplanned pregnancies. Here we were a married couple who wanted this baby and were told to go to a crisis pregnancy center. Oh well, we had a nice talk with B.J. then went about our business.
Then a few months later, B.J. calls me and offers to be my childbirth educator/birthing assistant. I said that sounded great and we made plans to meet. We began meeting every Friday. We learned a lot from her. One day she asked if we could come to her house for our meeting because she had some friends coming over who recently had their baby at home. She just thought we might enjoy talking to another couple.
So, we went and we even got to see the video of the birth! Oh by the way, this lady's name is Lisa. I thought that was so cool, to have your baby at home. Up until this point I just assumed our baby would be born in the hospital like everyone else's. I didn't like hospitals or 95% of the things they did to laboring mothers in there but was hoping those things wouldn't happen to me.
Well, anyway, I continued to think about that whole "homebirth thing" but I didn't tell my husband, Brad, about it because I had no idea what he would think. Little did I know, he was thinking the same. Finally, one day, Brad and I were talking and homebirth just kind of popped up out of nowhere. I told him how intrigued I was by it and that I thought I would like to do that. He said that he thought that would be a great idea as well.
So, we began getting all the information we could on the subject. We knew we had to be prepared for all the questions we would get from our family. Also, we just wanted to know, I mean this is mine and my child's life and well being we're talking about here. We didn't want to make any rash decisions. So I was always on the net getting info. We had researched the topic rather well just by the time of our next meeting with B.J.
When B.J. came that Friday, we told her we had decided we would like to have a homebirth and asked if it was too late to make that decision. (I was already in my 7th month by then) She said that it was never too late to choose that option and that she had a feeling we were going to tell her this on her way to our house that evening. She had in no way pressured or talked us into it. She just gave us info on how to have the natural birth we wanted. The homebirth thing was just a bonus I guess. Anyway, she was happy for us.
From then on, B.J., a mid-wife in training, started having Lisa come to our meetings, too. Lisa is also into mid-wifery. They continued to coach me on easing labor pains and using relaxation techniques. Everything was going great, except that I was done being pregnant. That last month seemed to last forever. I was so ready to get that kid out!! Finally, 11:50 p.m Friday evening, I had some contractions. It was just a few days before my doctor given due date and I was finally having contractions. I hadn't even had braxton-hicks up to this point. These were not Braxton-Hicks! These were very real! At first I couldn't believe it. I didn't think this could really be it because it all seemed to happen so fast. Everything I read talked about how the contractions generally start out rather mild then gradually increase in length and intensity. Not me! No! When they hit they hit hard and they were quite regular from the start.
I told Brad I thought this was it. He asked if he should call B.J. and Lisa yet and I told him to wait. So, I just tried to stay comfortable. Yeah, right! I would sit, stand, sit, stand, walk...repeat cycle. Then I went to the tub. That really felt nice. Then my mid-wives were called, I was still in the tub when they came. However, I didn't stay much longer. My back started hurting immensely. I would stand up during each contraction.
Things seemed to be moving quickly so our parents and friends were called. They were to be at the birth and they had at least an hour's drive to get there. Meanwhile, my labor is getting more intense, my back is hurting even more. I lean on Brad through my contractions. I try to lay down to rest but can't, the only true relief I get is on my hands and knees. I decide to try the shower, since the water felt good but sitting didn't. Brad had to go in with me because when contraction hit I would crumble. I would just collapse to the floor if he wasn't holding me. Ok, out of the shower. Back to the bed, back to all fours. My favorite position!
I have been laboring for several hours now. I am so tired. I want so bad to rest, for things to let up just a little bit. The contractions are so hard and so close I can't stand it. I ask to be checked for progress. This is the only time I am checked...I am at 6 cm. Well, that's a bit of a relief. However, I'm not "there" yet. Poor Brad, he is exhausted as well. He has been supporting me mentally as well as physically for hours on end. He would sit in a chair and I would put my back to him and squat in front of him. When the contraction hit, Brad kicked in and held me up. We also did this standing and kneeling on the bed.
Ok, still going strong here, the contractions that is. I, on the other hand, have about had it. Lisa give me some skulls cap. It's an herb that helps me to relax and rest between contractions. It does nothing to the contractions so nothing is slowed down, just allowing me to pretty much pass out between them. That helps!! Only thing is, I lay down to rest and another contraction hits and BAM I'm up on my hands and knees again, rocking back and forth and side to side. But none the less, it did help, I felt a little better rested.
Now for the serious stuff. Time to push, I mean really push. I am on all fours on the bed and would often lean back to just be on my knees. I would try to straighten up more and get into a squat but I couldn't the contractions would hit me too hard. I was having a hard time "getting on top of" my contractions. Which basically means...contractions were controlling me more than I was controlling them. If I could settle down more and breathe through it right I would be able to get up and use that contraction to do what its supposed to, push my baby out. I tried and tried but just couldn't do it. I was told I had to get into a squate to help my baby get out. He wasn't able to move down very well in the position I was in. So, with Brad's help of course, I managed to get up in a squat and pushed and pushed.
Everyone saw all his dark hair. I pushed some more. His head was out! The first sound he makes...a sneeze. Push some more. His shoulders are stuck...I get back into my favorite position, all fours. They corkscrew him out. Continue pushing. Now his hips are stuck. Repeat precedure. He's out! At 2:50 am Sunday, April 20, 1997 our son, Levi Thomas, is born. He's fine! He's a beautiful baby boy. He is handed to me. I sit and hold him a minute. Brad drops to his knees beside my bed and thanks the Lord for getting us all through this safely. Then, Brad cuts the cord. I position Levi to nurse. He latches on right away. This is great, no nursing problems.
I have achieved my goal: a natural, safe, birth in a warm, loving, caring environment. My son looks so happy. God has truly blessed us. I thank Him so much for allowing us to have such a birth. Now, I realize homebirth is not for everyone, but if more people knew how wonderful and how rewarding it could be...maybe more would take that option. Because we DO have an option. We DON'T have to be stuck in a hospital on our BACKS with gravity against us. We DON'T have to be stuck with IVs. We DON'T have to be CUT!! I just pray that more women would realize and take advantage of the wonderful natural option of homebirth. There are midwives all over, just get on the net and search. Ok, I'll get off my soap box now, sorry about that. I deeply apologize if I offended anyone with those comments I just wanted to get my point across. God bless you all and thanks for reading my story.

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