| Tristen's Homebirth By Stephanie |
It’s so easy to think just because you’ve been down this road before, that you know what to expect of yourself…. that you can pretty much count on how you will react to giving birth at home again…. that you know exactly how your support team will take care of you and love you throughout your labor and delivery…. and you know what? You’d be absolutely right! This is Tristen’s wonderful homebirth- my second homebirth, and one of my most treasured memories…. June 7, 2009 I awakened to a dependably contracting uterus and I realized I was in labor. For weeks, I had been having strong erratic contractions that made me want to pull someone else’s hair out! I have a history of this kind of final month of pregnancy. I got out of bed and found Ryan to inform him of my recent discovery. It was so very early, but I knew my body and baby were starting to communicate for real. Practice is over. This is the big game. Ryan thought I was crazy, but I went to the bathroom to discover lots of mucus and some bloody show. I was elated! Today was the day! I called Jude to let her know that I might need her sooner than my personal guess date of June 9. I continued with my day as if nothing was happening at all. June 8, 2009 Nothing happened at all! I woke up after a very restless night of strong, regular contractions and very little progress. My mom was in town from Memphis for the birth and I found her in the kitchen. “You’re still pregnant!” she announced. “Thank you, Captain Obvious!” I countered. I could'nt believe I was still in early labor. I harassed Ryan to help move things along and after several hours he finally obliged. We found time for each other and cuddled and loved each other, preparing for our newest little miracle. Our two year old daughter, Shelby, was extremely loving and caring for me all day. I still wonder if she knew what was happening and just wanted to make things easier. She truly is an angel. Together we walked the sidewalk in front of the house careful not to roam too far away. It was extremely warm for the beginning of June. There were several pauses for some great contractions, but nothing really going on down there. The afternoon turned to evening and so we prepared for sleep. Shelby still shared a bedroom with us and it was her habit to fall asleep in bed with us and then be transferred to her bed. We were all snuggled up together watching TV and getting sleepy when, of course, I have to pee for the tenth time since getting ready for bed. It’s now just after midnight. June 9, 2009 It’s 12:02 A.M. (now my guess date for delivery) and as I slide off our tall bed to go to the bathroom, I hear and feel a loud popping pain and I screamed out…. my water just broke! All I could say was “Ouch” for like a minute or two. Ryan was as pleased as I was. He got up to call Jude, our midwife. Shelby went to get her grandma and tell her the news. She told my mother in no uncertain terms that I had pooped on myself! We could hardly make the bed ready for birthing as we were all laughing so hard. Before I could finish though, the baby chose this particular moment to get low and in position. I couldn’t breathe at all. I was panting and crying and so much water began to pour out of me. I sat down in the rocking chair and tried to give my son room to move. Ryan called Jude to tell her to come over immediately because the baby was coming out NOW. Shelby was as my side witnessing what was going on, the moaning, the water gushes, etc. She began to gag. Thankfully, Tristen found the position he needed and the dropping stopped and so did the water gushes. So, of course, he did not come out just then. At some point after this little urgent scene, Jude and her assistant Allison arrived. All was well, and I was definitely going to have my baby today…. just as I had predicted. Unfortunately, my labor stalled for two hours so that I could comfort my daughter and calm her fears. I held her, rocked her, and rested in bed with her until she fell asleep. Ryan transferred her to my mother’s bedroom so that she would be on the other side of the house and not have to see anything else just then. As if by magic, my contractions came back with much strength and I was back on track. Ryan and I walked in the driveway. I walked around the kitchen and talked to Jude and Allison. They told me about some funny things that happened to them at some births during their midwifery training and practice and I joined in their mirth between contractions. Ryan and I had a terrific handle on this labor and he held me and stayed with me the whole time. He really is a great home birthing dad! I decided to get in the tub around 4 A.M. and enjoy some warm water and friendly company. After an hour or so of this, Jude made me a sandwich and brought me some Gatorade. The contractions were getting really strong and close and we both knew it would be soon. Allison and Jude were with me the whole time. Allison was helping Jude at my request as she had been a part of my previous birth team for Shelby. She regretted to inform me that one of her clients was also in labor and that she must leave. I was sad, but very pleased for the other mom. It was a great day for homebirths. Every midwife in the valley had a client with a spontaneous water break that night. You gotta love the full moon! J Jude had a back-up student midwife eager to help. She would be with us in no time. By this time, I was out of the tub and decided to get into bed with Ryan and try to rest. It was really difficult to get comfortable and I was nearing the end of this journey. I moved to the rocking chair and Ryan stood calmly by my side holding my wrist and rubbing my hair. At last check, I was dilated about 6 cm and I was tired, but I knew I was almost done. I didn’t realize I was sleeping between contractions until I felt the baby come down past my cervix and into the canal. What a feeling! I couldn’t speak. I slowly pulled Ryan down to my level and breathed “Get Jude” and he shot out of the room. Jude and her new helper came in to get ready but I told her simply “no time”. Jude wanted to check me but all I could do was shake my head no. She asked me if I could make it to the bed or the birthing stool and again all I could do was shake my head no. She told me that it wasn’t possible to be sitting and still have my baby in the rocking chair. That got me moving. When I stood, I felt my son’s head pressing between my legs. He was coming out in a hurry. Jude barely got her gloves on and was trying to tell the other midwife what she would need of her but I told her there was no time. Baby was coming now…. Jude felt his head and said the same thing…“He’s right there!” It was wonderful and intense.So I made it to the birthing stool in time for her to feel the head as another contraction began and my body was reacting by pushing for me. I heard myself scream out in pain and urgency. The burn was coming and my baby was coming out. Jude told me to blow slowly as if there were a candle way across the room. It helped a lot. My mother came in just in time for the baby to come. His head rushed forth and I pushed a little on his body and there he was! One push, no vaginal trauma. Mom said he unfolded like a large pretzel. It was incredible to hold him! He was so big! I waited for him to draw his first breath. I rubbed him and I talked to him and he began to cry and paw at me. He looked up and we found each other. Soon he was nursing, I was cleaned up and we were sleeping sweetly in our bed, in our home, already immersed in our life… just as it was meant to be, because he was meant for us, and we did it our way, gently, naturally, and lovingly… at home. Tristen Jay, Slusher 9 pounds 14 ½ ounces 22 inches long |
| My two babies, Shelby and Tristen. Both born at home! |