After my hospital delivery with our first child left me with more questions than answers, I decided I wanted to do things differently the next time around. I spent time doing research, learning and truly delving into the birth space. 20 months later, I had my chance to do things my way.

Our toddler woke up around 1:30AM on November 11, 2024. While rocking her back to sleep, I noticed a dull pain in my back that was coming and going. By the time I made it back to our bedroom- I made the connection that I was in fact having back labor contractions. I began timing them and they were 3-5 minutes apart; at this point I thought I was crazy and just needed to go back to sleep. After 5 hours of tossing and turning and walking the house, my husband and our toddler woke up around 7AM. After cuddling with our toddler for a bit, I decided to get into the bath. At this point I still thought there was no way I was in labor and I really believed getting in the tub would stop the contractions. The contractions did not stop. At 7:24AM I texted the midwives that I thought I may be in labor.

After a call with Midwife Tesa, we decided I would do a miles circuit to make sure the contractions were labor contractions and not “just” contractions to move the baby into a more positive position for delivery. I did the miles circuit and some chores around the house and the contractions were still coming. We decided at that time to have my dad come and pickup our toddler and we headed to the birth house to be examined. It was determined that I was 4cm dilated when we got to the birthing center and the team left it up to me whether I wanted to go home to continue laboring or stay and see how I progressed over the next hour. I was very conscious of not wanting to be watched/waited on while laboring and allowing my body to relax through the process so I decided to go home. We stopped for smoothies and breakfast and were home around 11AM. I did some hip thrusts and leaning on the birth ball while listening to hymns and wearing a tens unit on my back right over the top of where my contractions were most painful.

At 12:30PM I texted the midwives again- I was throwing up and shaking, unable to remain quiet through contractions. We headed back to the birthing center and when we got there I was already 8cm! I honestly still wasn’t sure if it was go time when we headed back, so I was shocked to find out I had progressed 4cm in just an hour and a half. I truly was able to relax and let my body do its job, using gravity to my advantage. My mom was able to meet us there at this point, so my body relaxed some knowing our entire team was set and ready. I got into the tub and labored through transition- my water broke during this time and I felt things get truly intense after that. We decided it was best for me to get out of the tub after my water broke as the team was having trouble finding baby’s heart rate. I got out of the tub (with much help) and dropped down to all fours right next to the tub. At 2:56PM, our sweet baby was born into my husband’s arms.

I cannot even express the night and day difference of this delivery versus our hospital delivery with our first. Having a team of midwives behind you is just so utterly incredible and empowering. My body was resting and sleeping inbetween contractions as my hormones were being allowed to do their job without any interventions and I truly didn’t push purposefully at all, my body did that mostly on its own as well. Through this experience I learned that when allowed to do things naturally and without interference, our body truly does know what it’s doing and it is an indescribable and powerful experience. I will forever recommend The Natural BirthHouse to local mommas, and midwifery to everyone in my life.