I did a poll on Instagram, and had really good feedback about wanting to hear our birth story. Personally, I love hearing other peoples stories with each being SO different. I think I am going to back track and start with our first born,
Elias.
I was 9 days over due with our first. I didn't think to much about being overdue with it being pretty normal for first time mommas to carry a little longer. We planned on having a all natural water birth from the start. I always told myself I wanted to do it that way. When it was finally time to start planning I will say that it all seemed so different.. almost intimidating to deliver that way and not just do the "normal" hospital birth. I opted out of a home birth because we live so far out I wanted to be close to the hospital for the comfort. I looked up a couple places that did water birth locally and found Around The Circle Midwifery. Eelke and I went in and got a full tour. We decided that day that I was going to switch my care over. It is such a different world. The care I got was so much more personal. Feels like you're visiting a friend. I mean at your appointments you're literally sitting on a couch in a beautiful old house! A different world for sure.
The day of. The baby had not been moving as often as it had been and the midwife wanted me to come in to check the baby. She had me drink some juice so the baby would get some sugar. Hooked me up to the monitor which consists of some tape and straps. Then we sat for 20 minutes. Baby was fine and moving. Our Midwife said I was actually having consistent contractions and suggested we go to town and get something to eat and walk around. I could feel the contractions, but I did not think that it was go time yet. But by the time we got to the restaurant my contractions were A LOT stronger and so painful I didn't even want to walk in. We quickly decided we should head back. When we got back they checked me and I cant remember if they told me what I was at or not. I was so in my head with the pain. I called my best friend and she came and joined us in the room. I want to mention the room. The room has a bed, a bed bed not a hospital bed. A tub, and a little bathroom. Yoga balls, and a door that leads to a little deck. You can dim the lights and put on your own music. I love that I wasn't strapped into a hospital bed with IVs and a gown. Like I said before such a different world! I was laying in the bed with consistent and strong contractions. I cant remember how we came to the decision to break my water, but we did. That was such a weird feeling. You cant feel the actual action of the break, just the (GRAPHIC WARNING STARTS HERE, YUCKY DETAILS COMING) release of warm water coming out. I was laying at the time but soon as I stood up I really felt it. Soon after that I got into the bath. I got out a couple times trying to poop because my two biggest fears going into birth were shitting in the water, and tearing. Spoiler alert both happened. I didn't know about either happening till after the fact. I asked for the nitrous which is the only "pain relief” they offer at the birthing house. I used it for what felt like five minutes before my body was telling me to push. The Midwife acted surprised that I was at the pushing stage. I was listening to my body and I couldn't not at that point. So it started. I can't remember how long I was pushing for but I don't think it was to long.. funny how your mind blocks out the pain portion after some time passes. In my opinion when you start pushing it’s a lot less painful than dealing with the contractions up to that point. I will always remember Eelkes face when he saw the head coming out and he looks at me and says "BABE, I know why you had such had heartburn" The baby had a full head of hair. Dark dark hair. Old wise tale is that if you have heartburn during pregnancy the baby will have hair. That one was true! And soon after, the pushing was over and HE was here. I am happy we waited to find out the sex. The biggest surprise. Our little Elias.
