I have often heard of women talk about "the perfect birth." Although I have always had nice births, I would never have used the adjective "sweet" to describe them. After birthing Cheyanne last Sunday morning, I can honestly say that this was "my perfect sweet birth." I would not have changed one thing.
I think when we choose to home birth, one thing we are trying to achieve is a wonderful, lovely, sweet birth. A birth that we might write an article about and send into a magazine that others will read and say, "What a lovely birth story."
From the start of this pregnancy, I wanted to be intentional about embracing this baby, this pregnancy as a true gift from the Lord. Not complaining about every ache and pain or full bladder or sleepless night. I wanted to carry this baby with a peace about me, with God's peace about me. I wanted to birth in JOY. The Lord answered. Here is my birth story.
At about 38 weeks I started having some small contractions on and off, but nothing consistent. At exactly 39 weeks, my contractions started pretty regularly mid afternoon. There was no consistency in the intervals, but I knew I was in labor. Rich and I decided to take the kids to ride bikes and then to McDonald's for hot fudge sundaes. Sitting still in a hard McDonald's chair was a bit challenging, but kept my mind busy. We got home, got the children bathed and put to bed and I decided to head to bed and try to get some rest before heavy labor started. I remember having pretty heavy contractions about every 10-15 minutes begining at 11:30. I was lightly sleeping in between contractions, but finally got out of bed when my I couldn't sleep and they were keeping me from relaxing at all. I woke Rich and told him I was just going to labor around the house for a bit before we called anyone. I guess about an hour and half later, my contractions were getting pretty intense so we called the midwives, my swwet lfriend, Amber, and my mom, who was staying down the street at a friend's house. Rich started getting the birthing tub set up in the living room, while I labored most comfortably leaning on the bathroom sink and sitting on the toilet.
After the arrival of my mom, the midwives and Amber, my contractions were becoming very hard. I started to feel like I might be able to start pushing at around 2:30 in the morning. I decided to get into the tub. I breathed through about 7 contractions and couldn't believe that it was time to push. I had prepared my self for my usual 7-10 hour labor. I had only been in active labor for 3 hours. Rich had been making himself busy around the house by making sure all of the women were being taking care of with fresh Carmel lattes from Sheetz. I looked up and said, "Where is my husband?" and he came around the corner just as I said that. With the very next contraction I started pushing. Three contractions later, I reached down and could feel her head. Rich had really wanted to help deliver this baby, so I grabbed his hand and within seconds we were both able to bring Cheyanne Ever up out of the water. It was truly one of those moments that will forever be engraved on my heart. We woke up the 2 oldest boys and spent the next few hours totally elated that God is so Sovereign. How could there ever be a doubt that He is the One and Only Creator of life? I have proof, sleeping right in my arms.
Love,
Amy
