Positive Home Birth Story
*I am going to keep the dates private because I don’t like sharing my kids birthdays publicly*
Light one evening, right before bed I started, noticing that I was having some light cramping… it felt like period cramping and right away I knew it was most likely a sign that labor would be starting soon. I went to bed in hopes that I would get a good nights sleep before things ramped up. I also didn’t wanna get my hopes up because I had had already thought that labor had started a few times just to get my hopes dashed and for the contractions to go away.
I woke up around 4 AM and the cramping was getting worse, so I called my husband, who had already headed out to the gym.
My sister was home and we started cleaning up the house since the night before we had had a slight family emergency and the house was a pretty bad mess! In between cleaning, the contraction started picking up pretty quickly. I started having back labor and my husband and sister took turns putting pressure on my back while I went on all fours.
I had done tons of research into breathing in labor positions, and I found that being on all fours or bending over on my knees, and leaning on the birthing ball helped me the most.
Right around 9 AM is when the contractions really started hurting and getting close enough together that I could no longer keep cleaning or distracting myself, and my husband and sister became really attentive to all of my needs and waited on me for when the contractions would hit so that they could come over and put pressure on my back and comfort me.
Then labor really hit fast.
We call the midwife, who is only 10 minutes away, and she rushed over.
We had already started setting up the birth tub, but by the time I got it, I was already pushing within one more contraction.
I could tell once I started pushing that this was my biggest baby yet. My other two children or 7 pounds and just based off of the pure pressure I was feeling I knew this was going to be a big baby. Sure enough later on we found out he was 9 pounds. However, I did not tear and I was able to push him out within just a few minutes!
I had told my midwife. I wanted to reach down and pick him up myself, but when it actually came to that point, she had to grab him for me because I had no energy left! As soon as she put him on my chest, I just sat there and soaked up the moment.
My perfect, precious baby was here with us , and I couldn’t have been happier in that moment.
#lemon8partner #Lemon8Diary #birth #birthstory #homebirth #momlife #momsoflemon8 #sahm #christian #pregnantlife
After my amazing first home birth, I've had so many people ask me about the nitty-gritty details and what truly helped. Beyond just sharing my story, I wanted to dive a bit deeper into some aspects that might ease your mind if you're considering a home birth or just curious about natural labor. One of the biggest things for me was preparing for contractions. I mentioned trying different positions, and truly, finding what works for your body is key. For me, being on all fours and leaning over a birthing ball was a lifesaver, especially with the back labor. But I also practiced deep, slow breathing techniques for weeks before. It’s not about eliminating the pain, but learning to ride the waves. My husband and sister's consistent back pressure was invaluable – don't underestimate the power of a good support team who knows your comfort preferences beforehand! Hearing them say, "You're doing amazing, just breathe through it," made a huge difference. Then there's the pushing phase. For many, this part can feel daunting, especially if you're worried about tearing or the intensity. When my midwife said it was time to push, I focused on listening to my body, which felt like an incredible, primal urge. Even with a 9lb baby, I found that allowing my body to guide the pushes, rather than forcing them, helped profoundly. It truly felt like a dance between my baby and me, working in harmony, just as the images from my birth show. The sensation of the baby crowning is intense, a deep stretching and pressure, but also a sign that you're so close to meeting your little one. I remember thinking, "This is it!" and that surge of adrenaline helped me through those final moments. And yes, people often worry about things like pooping during birth – honestly, your care team has seen it all, and it's a completely normal bodily function. Your focus will be entirely on your baby, and it's quickly and discreetly taken care of. It's often a sign that you're pushing effectively! Choosing a home birth meant meticulously planning our environment. We had our birthing tub ready for comfort, creating a calm, familiar space. Having everything we needed close by, from snacks to clean towels, really helped us stay focused. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the feeling of no medical interventions, just trusting my body's innate ability to birth. The immediate skin-to-skin contact with my third son right after he arrived, still in the warmth of the tub, was pure magic. It solidified that this was the perfect choice for our family. For anyone considering this path, research your team, trust your instincts, and prepare your mind and body. It's an empowering journey, and knowing what to expect, even the less-talked-about parts, can make all the difference.
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