Changing the Perception of Birth for Future Generations {A Birth Story}
I was 41 weeks pregnant with my fourth baby, feeling admittedly miserable and tired of the swelling and pelvic pain. I started having some random uncomfortable contractions while playing a new board game with my husband, Brian, on the night of Tuesday, Dec. 27th. I had had periodic uncomfortable contractions the week prior, but nothing that ever lasted. At around 1:00AM, they became regular, around 10 minutes apart. I had a feeling that it might turn into the real deal. I touched base with my midwife to give her the heads up since typically my labors suddenly shift and I wanted her to be aware.
They were fairly intense when they came even though they weren't really close together. I had Brian start filling the birth tub (we had to move it to the living room in front of the fireplace based on where the hose would hook up to the water...so not in front of the Christmas tree like we had planned, but that's alright!). My mom came to hang out and be available around 2am. I got in the regular bathtub at 2:30AM to make sure the contractions wouldn't fizzle out. They stayed consistent (every 5-10 min, varying levels of intensity). At 3:45AM, I got out and decided to lay down and see if I could rest between them. The intensity started to pick up and contractions were now every 5 minutes. I touched based with my birth team - we decided it'd be good for all of them to come. I started to feel some pressure and knew things were taking a shift. They left their homes a few minutes after 4AM and everyone was here by 4:55AM! I was on the phone with my midwife because I was feeling like I needed to push and was worried she wouldn't get here in time. I was praying for time. Meanwhile, Brian finished filling the tub and getting the temperature right. He then woke the older 2 girls so that they could witness the birth. I got in the tub and started feeling a whole lot of pressure with contractions. This 25 minutes felt so intense - more so than my third birth! I delivered baby’s head at 5:19AM (my water broke with delivery of the baby), and baby’s body was born at 5:20am. It was so empowering to catch my own baby this time - and what sweet relief I felt!
I was so glad everyone had made it (thank you to my birth team - you know who you are). Brian got it on video, my photographer captured memories, and my mom and the girls witnessed it! I couldn't believe… baby was a boy!! Brian had known - he has good instinct. Vivian cut the cord and the girls both helped take care of me (primarily by feeding me snacks). We all had breakfast, coffee, and homemade cream cheese braid to celebrate! Being at home was so incredibly nice! And having our girls be part of it was amazing. This is something I am so passionate about. Birth is not meant to be scary or feared. Our society has distorted what birth can look like, and I am excited to be a part of changing that perception for the future generation. I feel honored to play this role in shaping how my daughters view childbirth. It is so fun to see their minds work, how they process information, and in turn, come up with intuitive questions.
Postpartum was a lot more challenging this go round - I continued to have SPD (ie. bad pelvic pain), but thankfully an adjustment at the chiropractor helped immensely! I am back to feeling like myself now and loving being home with my babies So thankful for all of the support (meals, watching the girls, a friend picked up our dirty laundry to wash, etc.).
Praise God for baby Peter James!
Born December 28, 2022 at 5:20AM
9 lbs. 4 oz.
