Have you ever heard anyone speak positively about labor and birth?  I sincerely hope you have.  Too often women share horrific stories concerning labor and birth with each other.  The birth stories here were written by women who were active participants in giving birth and they were empowered by their home birth experiences.  While reading their stories, you will hear the voices of women who know that women's bodies and the process of childbirth still work.  It's about Birthing Well.   

JOHN ROBERT
June 21st,   9:03 am,  7 lbs. 2 oz,   21  1/2 inches long

Over the course of my pregnancy I became a homebirth "junkie."  I just loved reading homebirth stories during my pregnancy and because I was expecting my fourth birth, I had great hopes it would be similar to some of the birth stories that I read words like, "oh it was nothing at all three hours and I was ready to push".  Well this was my first home birth and I had no idea what my body was going to do.  I woke up at 1:30am or so early Wednesday morning. I had been having series of contractions for four weeks and I was a little concerned I would not know the difference between false labor and real labor.  My midwife just told me, "You’ll know".

When it began I knew it was beginning.  The contractions were not very painful but they would startle me awake.  I got up at around 2:00 because I could no longer sleep through them.  I went to the bathroom twice; I could tell my system was cleaning itself out.  At 3:00 I was tired of being alone and excited to tell my husband labor was beginning.  I woke him up and said, "I'm not joking and I'm sure, this is it".  We lay together in bed before we called Jane, my midwife.  We knew she would ask us the pattern of contractions so my husband timed them for me as I just laid there.  They were stronger than the hour before and growing in length; about four to five minutes apart and one minute long.

We called Jane at 3:45. Jane talked to me for about three contractions.   She was very calm and relaxed.  After my third contraction she asked me to give the phone back to my husband, she said "OK, I'm on my way."  My husband and I went into the living room.   I sat in my comfy chair and the contractions were surprisingly becoming stronger.  I began to make noises through each one.  I had read about vocalization, but the noises I made just seemed to come out instinctively.  While waiting for Jane to arrive, I thought I could get some relief in my Jacuzzi bathtub.  I started running the water and didn't hear the doorbell ring.  At 4:40am, my five year old son got out of bed and answered the door, thank God.  I didn't hear anything, but I saw my husband put the oxygen tank down in the bedroom.  I was so relieved, that meant Jane was here.  When I saw her I began to cry just out of relief.  I'm not sure why, but I did feel better. Before getting in my bath Jane examined me.  I was 5 cm.  Yea!  I had been making progress.  I went through the next series of contractions in the water with the jets right on my back.  That felt great, I was really riding the contractions and not losing it.  Then one hit me and I felt like I was going to jump out of the tub.  "Turn off the jets", I called out, instantly the water jets went from relief to pain.  Jane checked me again.  It was around 6:00am or so, and I was at an 8 cm.  Great I thought the last two centimeters are going to be the fastest and in no time at all I would be pushing. And that's where I was wrong.

The next phase of my labor is where it all gets sort of blurry for me I can't remember order or time as well.  But it took the next three hours to begin pushing.  My contractions were now coming one on top of another.  They were hard and close together.  I changed my position often, sitting in my rocking chair, on the toilet, lying in bed, leaning over the bed.  My cervix seemed stuck, so I began pelvic rocks.  My wonderful husband continued to support me the entire time, and from the beginning of hard labor he did counter pressure on my lower back with each contraction.   I got the strength to go a little farther, I asked to get in the shower, my husband stood outside the door and we just left it open, we put the warm water on my back and after about twenty minutes of this I felt the head move down, I yelped "he's coming, he's coming".  I then went to my bed to lie down.  Jane checked me and she asked me to push with the next contraction while she was still checking me.  I did and the head moved down and my cervix was opened to a perfect 10 cm.  She told me I was complete and encouraged me to push.  She asked me what position was comfortable for me and I really was comfortable lying sideways on the bed with my husband lying sort of behind and beside me supporting my back in that traditional laid back knees apart birthing style.  It's what my body wanted to do. At this point it was all very surreal. It was like an out of body experience.  I let go this really loud yell that came from the caveman days with each push, and then I heard my name being called, "Lisa... Lisa".  Jane said it twice before I became fully aware of her voice, "Lisa, pick up your baby".  I was so in another place.  I reached between my legs, picked up my baby and pulled him the rest of the way out of my body.  I put him to my chest.  He was so warm and incredible; he was calm and then just began crying on his own. The cord pulsed the last few times and then my husband cut it. The next twenty minutes we just laid there together and didn't move.  John Robert nursed right away and hasn't stopped since. It was over!  I was so elated. 

It was seven hours from beginning to end, a little longer than I had hoped, especially since the long part was at the height of the pain and intensity. But if I were to be pregnant again ever, I would choose to birth at home again.  It was an incredible experience and what I gained from it as a woman and a mother were incredible benefits that I cannot even describe.  I made it.  I will never hide how proud I am of this accomplishment.  There is nothing that compares to the strength that it brought me. The midwife said to me when it was all over "You're a strong woman".  I will never forget those words, because for the first time ever when she said that to me, I believed her words.

God is with you, Lisa L.

DEVYN NICOLE
7lbs 12oz, 20 1/2 inches long, May 31, 5:18 p.m.

At around four o'clock Sunday morning, I started to get intense contractions. They were different feeling than the ones I had been getting all week long. Jane, my midwife, checked me and confirmed that I was in active labor. She also found ketones in my urine. My husband made me a protein shake with yogurt and fresh strawberries to drink. It made the ketones disappear and I also felt a lot better. Then my husband and I went to the pool so I could float in his arms. The pool really helped me relax more.

The contractions were coming stronger. However, my baby’s head was not fully engaged in my pelvis. I tried squatting during contractions hoping to open my pelvis more to help her move down. I did pelvic rocks to encourage her to turn over from being posterior. I soon started to feel more pressure from her head. I was progressing during every contraction.

At seven centimeters, the contractions seemed endless with constant pain in my back. My breathing was hard to control and my husband was doing what he could to help me. The pain started to get pretty bad. I screamed for Jane. "I can’t do this anymore", I said. My body became very good to me. With every strong contraction and help from my midwife I was nine centimeters. Soon to be followed by, "I wanna push!".

During my Bradley childbirth classes I was a renowned practice pusher. I truly used the techniques I learned in class during my birth.  I pushed for a little over an hour when I heard my midwife say something I had been wanting to hear for nine months, "The baby’s head is out....She has some hair....Her eyes are wide open". At my bedside my mother cried with joy. As my husband held my hand tight, I pushed again. My daughter was born. She was laid on my chest, crying, and she was looking at me. I fell in love. I was now a mother.

The placenta quickly unattached itself. I barely felt it come out. Then my husband cut the umbilical cord. I stared at our little miracle. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. When her Daddy spoke to her she turned her eyes towards his voice. I was intensely happy. The overwhelming feelings are so hard to explain to someone who has not been through this experience. I would assume it is different for every woman. I was overjoyed to hold my child in my arms.

During my pregnancy someone spoke of a rush of motherhood feeling and a sense of accomplishment that comes from birth. Those feelings have not struck me. I do not feel like mother of the year, but just myself with the most beautiful baby in the world. I am now busy changing diapers, feeding her, rocking her, watching her sleep, sleeping when I can, and thanking God for what I have. I will always remember why I had a home birth. My child was born drug free and alert. She was in excellent care and so was I. All in all, my natural, home birth decision was the best decision I ever made.

God  bless you, Laurie B.

OPERATION EDUCATE JOE
Written by Cynthia Greene
 
My first exposure to home birth was over seven years ago when my sister, gave birth to my nephew. I thought she was crazy! Two years later she did it again, this time resulting in my niece. By this time I had warmed a bit to the idea of home birth.

When I became pregnant with my first child, my husband Joe's second, we were overflowing with happiness. Even before the pregnancy we discussed home birth and Joe was totally against it.  I was unsure of what kind of birth experience I wanted, home birth was one option. I began my prenatal care with a doctor. Because of Joe's fears I had resigned myself to a traditional hospital birth.

My feelings were that I would need Joe's support and if he would be very upset at home then I would not be able to be comfortable. I was doing what was right for him not me. I continued seeing Dr. X.  In my fifth month I had a stomach virus with terrible cramps. I called Dr. X to ask about some medication. I was told to come to the office so he could check and be certain the cramps were cramps and not contractions. It was a little unnerving but I went. At the office Dr. X checked my cervix and everything was fine. He then said "to be on the safe side" he wanted me to go to the hospital and be monitored. I agreed "to be on the safe side".

Once I was settled in the hospital bed, strapped to a fetal monitor, my anxiety and fears hit me. After approximately 30 scary minutes of wondering if my baby was O.K., the nurse tending to me called the doctor to report that I was having some contractions. It was decided that I was dehydrated and needed re-hydration therapy. So an I.V. was ordered. I tried to call Joe at work but he was out. This scary situation was mine alone. After the IV I was allowed to go home.  It did not dawn on me at that time that I could have combated dehydration by drinking fluids. When Joe arrived home from work I told him about my day. I again mentioned home birth and still he disapproved.

After six hours in the hospital having my healthy pregnancy treated like a sickness, I knew it was time to think of me and the baby.  Operation Educate Joe began.  I called Jane Hitch and enrolled in childbirth classes. Jane was aware of my problem and was very willing to help. Joe and I started classes. He was not thrilled that the classes were so midwife and home birth oriented.

I later learned he knew I was trying to sway him. But he knew he would not be swayed. We continued the class and I could tell Joe was enjoying them. I prayed every day he would change his mind. I knew a home birth was right for us and the thought of giving birth in a hospital was upsetting to me. To Joe's credit I must say that I never came right out and told him I definitely wanted a home birth.  After our fifth class and much added knowledge I noticed a shift in Joe. He was able to see that home birth was safe and his fears dwindled.
On December 19th, at 2:58 pm, Jacob Ernest was born in the same bed in which our love created him.

NIEL CHRISTOPHER BAUER
9 lbs. 0 oz.,        20 3/4 inches long

Dear Niel,

I want to tell you your birth story. Your due date was March 5, 2000. I was a little bit worried about the Y2K (year 2000) change over, since some people were convinced that computer problems would affect electricity and food supply – that with a young baby would be a bit unnerving. Because Daddy is in the computer field, he didn’t buy all that hoopla – and he was right!

Off and on for about four weeks before your due date, I would have a lot of practice contractions called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Sometimes, they would actually be uncomfortable enough in the last week or so that I wondered whether or not I was beginning real labor. You’d think that with the experience of two births behind me and the knowledge I gained through my midwifery/doula studies that I would be able to recognize my own labor. Well, this pregnancy was different – just as all are. It really started Saturday, March 4th with contractions being every ten minutes, but not getting very strong or lasting very long.

Jane, my midwife and friend, was spending the afternoon at the Rodeo so she called to check on me that morning. She had just been to the house the day before for a prenatal visit and I was 3 cm dilated – as I had been for at least a week already. Daddy, Aaron, Drew and I (that includes you) went for a walk on the bayou trail to see if any changes would occur in the contractions. By the afternoon, I called Jane to give her an update. She decided to come over then. She arrived by 3:30 p.m. She checked me and I was 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced, but still the contractions were weak and not progressing into active labor. We were suspicious that if my water was to break, I’d be having the baby very quickly, so Jane stayed with us. We also called Gramma and my friend Susan who were both to be at the birth for Aaron and Drew and to take pictures.

By nighttime, Jane suggested I relax in the tub to slow the contractions enough for me to sleep, since I still was not really in active labor despite the dilation of my cervix. I needed rest in order to be strong enough for the very active stages of labor and birth. I had a wonderful two-hour bath – with an audiocassette of a thunderstorm, aromatherapy bath salts, candles, one small glass of wine, and pretzels! It was one of the things on my mental “list” of things I wanted to do during labor.

Then I went to bed to sleep. During the night, I was aware of maybe three contractions, but by 7 a.m. Sunday, March 5th, the contractions became regular again and a bit stronger than the night before. I decided to time them for a couple of hours: 7 – 10 minutes lasting around 60 – 75 seconds. At 9:00 a.m., the contractions changed a bit and were starting to command my attention. Jane had stayed at our home over night. She checked me and I was 7 cm. I held on to Daddy during the contractions and moaned through them as he supported me.

With Mozart’s concertos nos. 23 & 27 playing on Daddy’s computer CD and the smell of lavender essential oil filling the room, we stayed in our bedroom until I felt like I needed to push. At the very first inkling of pushing I asked for your brothers, who were playing in the backyard, to join us in the bedroom so they could watch you be born. Daddy climbed on the bed and sat against the headboard with pillows behind him. I then sat in front of Daddy and waited to feel the urge to push. Jane checked me and I still had a bit of cervix left, but I pushed past it while she held it back. I saw your head in a hand mirror as I began to push. Then when I felt your head being born, I exclaimed, “Yes, the head is out!” Daddy was watching the whole thing in the hand mirror he was holding. Jane checked to see if the umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck – it was loosely wrapped around your neck and under one of your arms, so she helped you be born through it. Then I had to push hard to help deliver your shoulders. Once you were born (12:24 p.m.), I reach down and with Jane’s help lifted you up and placed you on my chest. You then pushed yourself up with both arms, lifted your head and looked right at me! I was so happy; I kissed you and kissed you. Daddy was so proud and thankful for such a beautiful and healthy baby.

What a wonderful labor and birth: active labor was very short since I started it being so far dilated; I got my wish list fulfilled – warm bath, candles, music, wine, everyone who I wanted to witness the birth was there, I got to be in the birthing position I wanted in order to catch you, which I did and cut the umbilical cord, I was upright in bed to enjoy you after the birth, video and still pictures were taken, and I got a strong healthy baby. I'm so glad to have you in our family. You are a beautiful boy and I love you very much!

Hugs, kisses, love and blessings,

Mommy

TRAVIS
A Grandmother's Thoughts

March 22nd was not the first time for me to be with my daughter for the birth of a grandchild. The first time was when my daughter gave birth to my granddaughter at Clear Lake Hospital. This second birth was to be different. During the long drive to my daughter's home I had time to contemplate that she had chosen to have a home birth. I tried to prepare myself by imagining what it would be like. When I gave birth to my daughter in the 60's such a thing was unheard of. Women weren't supposed to "suffer" and if you were unconscious and unaware so much the better! I didn't want to know or feel the pain, just like a million other women who gave birth that year. I realize now that I missed something that was really important. Some of you already know what I mean. I hope others of you will figure it out. Tina had told me she would have a midwife at the birth, and I knew her husband Robert would be with her. The long drive gave me the chance to calm myself down. I began to realize that maybe the old ways were not so bad.

When I arrived I went straight to the bedroom. The bedroom appeared to be well equipped for the delivery.  Robert and Jane, the midwife, were with Tina and she was in the middle of a pretty good contraction. She looked like she was in good hands so I went into the living room and sat down. I went to see what was going on several times, but there was really nothing I could do for her, so I did what any mom would do. I went into the kitchen and started washing dishes to keep my mind off what was happening in the bedroom.
Tina was allowed to sit up and move around in the bed. Tina called for me to come and take pictures. At first I was being very careful to frame the pictures thinking of light, balance, and the position of Robert and the midwife. Then I saw his hair. Yes, hair. After that I don't think I thought much about anything. Tina was really working hard. She was on her knees, her husband at her side encouraging her with words and touches. The midwife was also encouraging her and preparing to receive the baby. I was taking pictures with the flash (and several times without the flash). Then there was his head.

Unbelievable! He was almost full grown! He was the biggest baby I had ever seen. He had a head full of dark hair. His face turned towards me with his eyes closed. Tina had given birth to a beautiful 11 lb. 8 oz. baby boy. Tina's face showed joy, excitement, and relief that really is impossible to describe. Robert was really excited and started calling everyone to announce the birth of his son before the midwife even had a chance to weigh him. As Travis and his Mom were being cleaned up, the news was spreading fast, and before Tina had finished her shower more family arrived to welcome our newest member.

I remember looking out the window once that morning, and watching one of the neighbors come out to pick up his morning paper. He was probably thinking that this was just another day, while at the same time my grandson was being born in the next room. How very, very lucky I am to have witnessed my heritage be born. To know that someday Travis will be able to drive down third street and point to the little house where he was born.

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