Yay! Margaret is finally here (and, er, sorry for just now posting)! I’ve just been kissing her ole squishy cheeks nonstop since she arrived! After being pregnant the entire 2018 year, it feels so weird to NOT be pregnant. But she really is here and we feel very, very blessed. Margaret was born Sept 21st– 40wks+5dys after her due date.

Before I share her birth story, a little disclaimer and background info. Disclaimer: I’m talking about birth here, which is beautiful, but it involves info about your private parts, so if you’re squeamish or maybe my dad, you might not want to read this too thoroughly. Background: Margaret is our fifth kiddo. Our first two children were hospital births with epidurals and pitocin. Next two kiddos were born in a birth center an hour away with a midwife, non-medicated. When I found out I was pregnant with Margaret, I decided I wanted to look into home birth. My biggest reason? I loved the birth center experience, but driving an hour down the road with intense contractions just isn’t the most fun. I also thought it would be nice to labor at home and have the kids here so they could immediately meet their new little sister. Plus, my midwife comes back to my house for two checkups, which is really awesome compared to our constant getting out for appointments we’ve had in the past.

Margaret was due on Sunday, September 16th. When that day came and went, I went to bed each night wondering if contractions would start and sorta surprised that I was ending the day with a babe still in the womb. I had a midwife appointment on Wednesday and was told that Margaret wasn’t in the best birthing position. She was head down, but sorta shifted to the side instead of her back facing out. I was sent home with instructions to do some exercises called the Miles Circuit. The exercises were supposed to help shift her into the right position and could help my body go into labor naturally. The next day, Thursday, we thought for sure that would be the day. My husband even stayed home from work. I had random contractions that fizzled out.

But I woke up Friday morning to spotting which, from past experience, I knew meant that Margaret may very well be born soon. I began to have contractions that were timeable around 9am. These contractions weren’t very uncomfortable. I could talk through them. I could walk through them. I texted my midwife to tell her what was going on and that I thought today was the day. She agreed and told me to keep her updated if things sped up. I spent some of the morning just resting in the bed as I timed the contractions, which were around 7-8 minutes apart. I took a few walks because I knew it would help my body move her on down. By 3pm, they were getting closer together, around 5-6 minutes apart. I started climbing my stairs. I hesitated on texting my midwife because I wanted to make sure they continued to be consistent. By 4:45 pm, I texted my midwife to let her know contractions were regular at 5 minutes and lasting 1 minute apart and the contractions were getting too painful to talk through. She texted she had to drop her child off at a dance and would be headed right over. She lives an hour away.

It was a long hour. And I started to worry a bit as I realized the contractions were getting intense. I kept trying to walk around, breathe, and pray through them. I think the hardest part with a natural birth is you have no idea how dilated you may be. I was in such pain and had no idea if I was at 5cm or 8 cm.During this time, our kids were upstairs watching a movie. They did a really great job of keeping out of the way, but also were there to be apart of the moment.

About ten minutes before the midwives arrived, I felt pressure like I could almost start pushing. My contractions were still at 3 minutes apart so I didn’t think I could be that close to delivering her. I was now in my bedroom and bathroom, trying to walk around, so that I could have privacy away from the kids. The midwives arrived and I had a contraction shortly after. I had been trying to labor quietly, but towards the end, it sorta became impossible. My midwife could tell I was at transition, moved me to the bed, and announced I was nine centimeters. Ten centimeters means baby is ready to be born.

My water has only ruptured once on its own and that was with kiddo #2. My midwife broke my waters and I felt such a momentary relief! But then contractions became very intense and I felt sorta helpless. I wanted nothing more than to just push her on out and get the whole pain thing out of the way, but you just can’t until your body is ready.

There was a good bit of:

“I can’t do this”

“Someone please help me”

“She’s never going to be born”

And each time, my team would whisper positive comments. One would begin to breathe deeply, which would help me to relax. One would tell me that my body was made to deliver this baby. When I think back on it, I become emotional. I know it sounds cheesy but it was such a natural process and, while it was painful, it was peaceful. It was empowering. It was bigger than me. It was a group effort.

Was it painful? Absolutely. Is it unbearable? Towards the end, it almost is. But I’d do it all over again.

After about thirty minutes of pushing, Margaret was born at 7:16 that night. She was immediately placed on my chest and I prayed, thanking the good Lord that she was finally here, healthy and perfect. My midwife team worked so well together. There were towels and blankets, warm from the dryer. They gave us privacy to bond. The children came in soon after she was born to greet their new baby sister.

It all felt, well, natural. Normal. Intimate. There were no ivs. No being confined to a bed. No beeping sounds. There was no driving home. We were home. We were immediately a family of seven, all together.

Note: As I reread Margaret’s birth story, I realized I didn’t mention my husband much. He was definitely there and he was involved, but he knows me well. I’m a pretty private person and I sort of like to labor on my own. I sorta retreat into my head and do my thing. But he was always there, making sure the kids were occupied, gathering sheets, and towels. And he let me squeeze his hand really hard as the contractions got too much for me to take.

I’d also like to note that my husband wasn’t too sure ’bout this whole home birth thing. I’m thankful he let me go with my gut on this one. I didn’t choose home birth without a lot of prayer and research. Afterwards, he admitted it was his favorite. And if we were able to go back and redo all of the births, he would choose to have the first two at a birthing center and our last three at home. I was a bit surprised when that statement came out! 🙂