Baby Blake
My birth story began once I had watched The Business of Being Born. The movie made me brave enough to decide that I was going to birth our second child the way I wanted to with our first, but wasn't confident enough to do. I had done a lot of thinking over the past 2 years (about the hospital, the epidural, the 18 hour labor) and knew 2 things; the baby was going to come out and that I could get that baby out all by myself.My husband and I went to talk to Sherry in June and I immediately loved her! She took the time to get to know us, not just ask or answer questions. I had some 2nd-time pregnant friends who were taking some classes and asked her what she would recommended for us. She mentioned the Birthing from Within class taught by Naomi Blackerby. The combination of the support from these two women and the class was amazing. I approached the upcoming birth really without fear. I had been through it already, I knew what to expect - a baby! My husband also didn't have any fears, except that there wouldn't be anyone there to help us. And they both supported our confidence. Their confidence in us just made us more comfortable.
So on December 3rd, our new little guy arrived after a mere 2 hours and 38 minutes of mild labor! I woke up at 2am (like I had been doing every day for weeks), went to the bathroom, came back to bed and had a contraction. 8 mins later another. 12 mins another. 16 mins another. I told myself to go back to sleep but even though they were getting further apart they were still coming. So, I decided to go into the living room so that my husband could sleep some more since he was in for a long day ahead, if not with labor, then with work. At 3, I tried to come back to bed as they had slowed down but as soon as I laid down they got more intense. So I finally thought, okay, so this is it. So I got up, again leaving my husband asleep. I was laboring in the living room not really timing contractions anymore just knowing that I was frequently visiting the bathroom and that standing and leaning over the couch felt best. Finally at 3:45 I went in and woke up my husband. We went back to the living room and he went to make coffee when I called him over and said "I need you now!" I was having a contraction and feeling the urge to push, which I told myself couldn't be happening yet as labor wasn't that bad! I was still texting Sherry at this point, mid-contraction! One more contraction and I felt another bathroom trip was needed. Got there and my water broke, this was around 4. Did we think to then tell Sherry about the urge to push? Nope. I think I just thought I was having back labor and my husband was doing whatever I told him to do. I also didn't think my body could be ready yet since my first labor was 18 hours, this was less than 2 and not very painful. I also didn't want to tear my cervix by pushing too soon. So after 40+ minutes of struggling to hold him in, our baby was born into Daddy's hands as Sherry was still 5 minutes away! It was so amazing and so nice to be able to climb into my own bed a couple hours later and snuggle with my new little man. And then spend the rest of the day in my house - just the perfect day!
I don't believe I would have been so casual about my labor without the wisdom and support from these 2 women. Sherry never questioned the fact that we didn't really have any questions or fears. I actually asked her if she thought it was weird we didn't have any questions, just to make sure she didn't think we were in denial about the whole thing! She was great with her postpartum care and even though our son tried to stump her with a rash, she was spectacular with her newborn care. Naomi was also great about encouraging our comfort level and confidence. I am sure the other 1st time moms in the class felt that way too. SO glad I found Well Rounded Momma! and Your Happy Homebirht.
~ Dani
