My csection happened after an unnecessary induction at 37 weeks in 2016, and my VBAC was in 2018, and it just didn't feel right still. It was still so unnatural feeling, like my body wasn't trusted at all.

My oldest two turned 4 and 6 as 2022 rolled around, my due date was April 29th. My first baby was actually due April 25th in 2016, but was born on the 5th of April. I was so curious to see if our baby would be an April or May baby!

My guess date came and went. I felt a little tired of being pregnant, as we all tend to. However, April 30th my contractions started.

My husband was working a Saturday, which was a voluntary overtime day. He never works Saturdays but figured the extra money before taking off 4 weeks would be nice. We texted back and forth for a few hours, my contractions were sporadic but consistent. Every 2-3 minutes, lasting about 40 seconds each. So early labor. Eventually since they didn't slow down, my husband headed home early to be with me and get the older kids ready for bed, around 7pm (he works second shift)

I let my doula, photographer and midwife all know I've had sporadic contractions but they weren't intense yet. Then around 9pm, I had my bloody show. I knew this was it, as it was following my first VBAC to a T. My midwife called me before she planned to head to bed for some rest before it got serious, and I was still easily talking through contractions while on the phone with her. So I told her I'd call her once they felt more intense.

Around 10:30pm I called my doula since I was having back labor for my third birth (all 3 back labor, I think it's my anatomy vs baby position, so odd!) And I wanted some extra support. She arrived around 11:40pm, which is when I also chose to call my photographer. My doula and photographer both lived an hour away, whereas my midwife was only 20 minutes away. An hour later my photographer arrived as well.

My doula did counter pressure to help with the back labor and gentle touch/massage. It was a great distraction! A little after the photographer arrived I had them start filling the birth pool.

The contractions were more intense and I had stopped tracking them. It felt like active labor. So I called my midwife around 1am to have her head my way. During the phone call I had a hard time talking through contractions, so she knew it was a little more intense at this point, and said she'd pack up and head my way.

When the pool was full enough I got in for some relief from the back labor. And let me tell you, water helps so much! I wish I had that for my hospital vbac, but they wouldn't "allow" me to use the birth pool.

I labored for a bit between the pool and the toilet, even though I HATED sitting on the toilet through contractions. It made them hurt worse since the pain was in my lower back.

My midwife arrived at 1:30am and I was walking around the living room (both kids were home and sleeping through it all) it was ramping up but it was still so easy to handle compared to being in the hospital. Like all mammals, birthing somewhere that's familiar and feels safe really helps with the natural hormones and natural pain relief your body has.

Everything just felt so calm and relaxing. I didn't feel anxious or like I had to do anything. My midwife didn't even ask to check me upon arriving, she trusted me to know my own body.

Eventually I got back in the birth pool. I wasn't aware of time anymore and covered every clock in the house so I wouldn't feel discouraged by time. My birth team kept me fed and drinking water. I had made protein balls the day before and they brought me some to keep my energy up. It felt so good being able to do my basic human needs, as they don't "allow" that in hospital. I was able to eat and drink whenever.

At some point I began to get super shakey, like I was shivering. I was still able to laugh between contractions though, everything just felt so great. My husband was able to crack jokes between contractions and it was all just so light.

Until eventually a switch flipped. I was resting in the birth pool, and a contraction started that felt different. It was very intense and the first real "painful" contractions. After a few of those, I knew it had shifted. I felt like I couldn't take anymore.

I stood up from the birth pool during one of them and said "I don't want to do this. I feel like I need to leave or something. And I know what this means. It means I'm probably close, but I can't do this anymore" and after the contraction was done, I sat back down in the pool was surrendered to it.

I was very vocal, and my husband continued to go between counter pressure and reminding me I was doing amazing. Being my focal point and helping me breathe through it.

Eventually another shift happened, it was a feeling like your body getting ready to vomit, just from the opposite side lol. I was grunting and I knew my body made another shift.

The whole birth team made their way into our master bedroom and in my mind I knew that they heard the shift in my vocalizations as well. I tried checking my self to see how close baby was. I felt nothing and got super discouraged. This was when my midwife reminded me I was safe to move however I wanted or needed to. She still never said "let me check you" she trusted me and my body. I was tempted to have a check, but decided against it.

Lunging helped the sensation, but the bottom of the pool just felt too squishy for me. So I got out of the pool. I could feel my baby rotate and move, and I knew we were close.

After a few pushes, I felt his head descending. I put my hand down and for sure felt him! It of course burned a little as the ring of fire came, but I continued to push with my body. At one point I said I wanted to get back in the pool to help with the burning, but tried to stand and said "nope!". I got on my knees, and there was his head.

I expected his head to deliver first and then a pause, then his shoulders, but instead, he completely slid out into my hands in one push from my body (I never had to "push", my body contracted him out on its own!) It was such an easy delivery! He had a nuchal cord, and I didn't even have to think about it, just unraveled his cord on my own. No one stepped in. No gloved hands forcefully rubbing my baby or suctioning his nose. No one but me touched him.

I brought him to my chest and felt so much bliss and love. I talked to him and kissed his sweet face as he started to move and cry, adjusting to life outside.

It was so so beautiful! After having him I told my husband to run and get the kids up. It was 5:47am when he was born. They came running in, looking like it was Christmas morning. They were so happy and excited!

A few minutes later contractions ramped back up, and my midwife said that's probably my placenta detached. She said I could do gentle traction myself, or try to move around. I did one light push and out it came! Something else that the hospital had taken from me, as they immediately did the normal "pull baby out after the head is born, shot of pitocin, pull the placenta out". No one touched me or my placenta, or my baby. I delivered it all, as mammals are supposed to! No pitocin, no checks. Just me, my intuition and my body and baby. SO empowering.

After that, my midwife helped me put my placenta in a bowl, keeping baby attached to cord and placenta until it was white and limp. She helped me and baby into bed on a chucks pad, and I took off my bra for skin to skin.

They made me a post birth tea, made me eggs to eat something (they also cooked me a yummy rice porridge in the crock pot for later) and an herbal bath. It was so amazing, I felt so cared for! When his cord was white, I used a cord tie and cut his cord myself. He was born at 40+2 weeks, weighing 6lbs 8oz! All my babies have been little though, I just remember picking him up and thinking "he's tiny!"

It was so healing and amazing. Nothing can compare to catching him in my own hands. He is going to be 4 weeks old on sunday and I still can't believe I did it! I had a baby on my bedroom floor. I'm so glad I trusted my body and baby to do it, it was so amazing!

Birth Stories