After planning a home birth with my first born Paxton, my plans were thwarted as he ended up being a wild hospital birth. When I found out I was pregnant again, I knew I wanted to have another go at a home birth. To me, it makes the most sense to deliver where you're most comfortable, and there's no place like home. I also know that Midwives are pretty bad*** at helping babies get earth-side. Their schooling is quite extensive, and they are medically equipped to deliver babies.
Their ancient wisdom of childbirth is a sacred calling, and I'd much rather have their support in one of the most sacred experiences I will ever have than a guy in a white coat.
Even though Paxton's birth didn't go as planned and his birth needed medical intervention (frank breech). I was still able to deliver naturally; it was a call that my then midwife made, and I trusted her, I trusted my body. After delivering a breeched baby with no meds, I knew it was more than safe to have birth at home and midwife agreed because Paxton paved the way just fine.
The night Niko was born, it was after a long day of entertaining my toddler. I had just taken a relaxing bath, got oiled up with my oils, and hopped into bed to read a book. My water broke when I reached over to grab it. It was around 9 pm. My husband was two hours away from home taking care of his rental property to get ready for new tenants, I called him to let him know it’s showtime.
I was 37 weeks that day and had such a strong feeling I would go into labor. My husband thought I was just a bit anxious, but when a woman knows, a woman knows. I then called my midwife ( who was a blessing) to let her know the babe was en route. She told me to call her back when my contractions became stronger. At the time, I had none, so I started to prepare my birthing space. My mom and son were sleeping; my husband was on his way home, the house was utterly silent and still. That was such a special time for me to connect to God, my body, and prepare my mind for the grand event. The space was calm, welcoming, and warm. When the contractions started, I focused on my breath, moved my hips, and got in my zone. My birthing style is very much don't come near me, I got this, so it was a good thing I was by myself a good part of my labor.
My husband walked in the door at 11:15 pm, and radical honesty here; he crimped my flow. One thing about my husband is that he is loud; it's just his nature. He was like a bull in a china shop at the moment where it was sensory overload. As a woman labors, her senses are heightened, and for some reason, every sound realllllyyyy pissed me off. When he walked through the door, the first thing he did was go to the fridge to get something to eat. He then proceeded to open boxes of shirts he just had delivered because he wanted to wear a new one for photos (bless his heart). I think for the first time, he saw snakes coming out of my head. He shut the refrigerator door real quick after I went Medusa on him. Poor guy couldn't catch a break that night. After my Medusa episode, I asked my husband to cut up some watermelon. This was my biggest craving! I barked at the guy yet again, demanding it wasn't fast enough. Sorry, not sorry. Labor is no joke.
The midwife and her amazing squad arrived around 11:30 pm when I was in the thick of it and hung around quietly until Niko was ready to take the stage. My husband was behind me, laughing at my guttural sounds and unfazed by all the birth happenings. It may seem that I'm making my hubby sound like the worst birth partner, but he is the best, honestly, and he was exactly what I needed. His nonchalant attitude for doing hard things is why I love him.
A moment of complete surrender. With every contraction I reminded myself it was one moment closer to meeting our son.
They say the ring of fire is when it is most intense. That was when I needed a firm hand to hold, and it was my midwife's hand and hearing her grounding words that reassured my body was doing exactly as it should. Again, Midwives are bad*****. At 1:11 am, after less than three hours of labor, our boy arrived as I hovered over the sofa on all fours (one of the best birthing positions). My husband caught our son with Lavender and Frankincense coated on his hands. We wanted our son anointed with these beautiful oils as soon as he entered the world.
My mom also had NO idea I was giving birth in the living room. She woke up suddenly and came downstairs the moment Niko's head was coming out. Talk about the perfect moment! Her jaw was on the ground for a few minutes in complete awe. She was very wary of me having a home birth, but after seeing how peaceful it was and how quickly I recovered, how can one deny that birthing at home is way better than hospital birth.
Unfortunately, I needed a shot of Pitocin after my placenta was delivered. My iron was low, so the loss of blood was high. We knew this could be a problem prior due to blood work results at an earlier midwife appointment. We acted quickly to decide to have a shot, and my husband also poured an entire bottle of Helichrysum on my abdomen to stop bleeding immediately. This is a perfect example of using medical intervention when needed and balancing it with holistic methods.
There were many things on my birth plan that were important to my husband and me. Delayed cord clamping was one of them. We wanted all of that beautiful blood and stem cells going back to Niko, so we waited an hour to cut. Our golden hour of bonding, breastfeeding and soaking in the getting to know each other moments while cuddled up on the coach was a surreal experience because Paxton's birth was so traumatic. I couldn't believe the difference between everything from stress levels to feeling rested.
Umbilical cord so white and so bright
I give the book Supernatural Birth credit for giving me the courage to have more faith over fear. It helped me create the EXACT birth I prayed for. It was the only birthing book I read and needed to read. My biggest prayer for Niko's birth was that it would be super quick, and I wouldn’t tear. With Paxton, the hospital gave me a traumatizing episiotomy, and the healing was quite painful. Niko came out at 9lbs, and I didn’t pull. And also, he arrived so quickly there is a particular term for his birth called precipitous labor, which is a birth under three hours. God is so good!
After our golden hour and a nice hot shower, I climbed into bed slept a peacefully with Niko on my chest and my husband next to me. After birth, NOTHING feels as great as your own shower and bed, NOTHING.
I also couldn't help but feel a heaviness in my heart for so many women who lacked knowledge of a better way to birth their babies. There is so much fear surrounding childbirth and the medical system plays well into a model that is not conducive for an empowered birthing experience. The documentary The Business of Being Born is a huge eye- opener on how the medical system profits off of birthing babies. Why Not Home is another powerful watch. My hope more women feel confident with birthing at home and having a less traumatic birthing experience for themselves and babies. Home birth is truly a magical experience.
Please tell me what is your birth plan or story! Comment below.
Top Young Living Products for Birthing
Lavender- This is the mother of all essential oils and one of my absolute favorites. I inhaled this many times during labor to help calm and I'm addicted to the smell.
Frankincense- Frankincense in the world of oils represents the Father. Along with Lavender, it's a mighty duo. There are so many benefits to this oil and that is why it was given Christ at his birth. To me, Frankincense is one of those oils that feels like a warm blanket when you put it on and is a powerhouse for spiritual and emotional uplifting.
Helichrysum- Wow. Just WOW with this oil. Helichrysum is great at helping wounds, stop bleeding, and a must in a first aid kit. This is why I wanted it in my birthing toolbox. Can't tell you how many times this oil save me being a boy mom and a husband who works with a lot of tools.
Ning Xia Red- Birth is like running a marathon so I took a shot of this when things started to move and groove. I would've liked to have more of the red juice but my body was only craving water and watermelon. This stuff is packed with incredible nutrients and antioxidants that are great for pregnancy, birth, and beyond. I've been taking 2oz daily for nine years to keep my healthy maintained.
Progessence Plus- After birth, progesterone, the hormone that helps regulate a woman's cycle drops dramatically I applied multiple drops to my forearm RIGHT after birth to keep my hormones in check. Its a powerful postpartum tool for me and my husband notices a huge difference on days I forget to put it on.
Claraderm- Ok, Ok, Ok, this product is SPECTACULAR. My healing dooooowwn there happened so much quicker because of this goodie. Spraying Claraderm on a maxi pad after birth is a postpartum must. Claraderm is also great to use along with a perineal massage a couple weeks before birth to prevent tearing as it helps loosen things up. This is where your husband comes in ladies ;)
Have questions? Comment below
Comments