Baby Peter’s birth story

Jessica begins her journey.

I kind of had a feeling that it would be a special day when I woke up to nurse Micah. I knew that something was about to change because the whole day before, my toddler followed me everywhere, nursed every hour and refused to go to bed that night, instead he chose to sit in the rocking chair, staring at me until sleep finally took over. When he woke me up the next morning to nurse I thought that I felt two very tiny rushes and thought to myself, I hope that Mike gets him some juice. The next thing I knew, Mike was handing him the juice cup and I was reaching for Mike’s hand while pushing down the thought that I should just beg him to stay home from work. Little did I know that if I had, it would have saved him a lot of trouble!

A midwife's touch.

Nevertheless, he left for work and shortly after that Micah tired of the juice. Micah latched on to nurse and I closed my eyes to go back to sleep. Wishful thinking! After two big gulps of milk from Micah, I felt a pop and jumped up before the sheets got soaked (thankful that I had put the shower curtain under the sheets to protect the new mattress!). My water had broken! I was a little shaky and uncertain, and would not have believed that “this was it” except there was no denying it now! I called Mike, who had JUST made it across the water and then Jenny, whom once I heard her voice, I felt instantly calm and ready for birth.

Baby sounds great!

Mike got home about 45 minutes after I called him, followed by my friend who took the kids with her- once he got in the door, I was able to have him call Jenny and help her get to the house (since he could tell her which way not to come since he just bypassed all the accidents!) She arrived and I chatted through my contractions, still waiting on the tub to fill.

Terri showed up and things started to get into gear. I felt completely at home (since I was!) and at peace. I was able to work through my contractions at my own pace, and support was there when and if I needed it. I was able to get into the tub and it was so wonderful to labor in the water. I could really move through the contractions and just melt into the pain. I got out for a bit, showered, walked and decided I did not enjoy land labor! I got back in the tub and in a few hours things really starting to get intense. About 3:30 or so I really just had this “I have to escape” feeling- I asked to go to my bathroom, and asked if I could get in my shower. I think I just really wanted an escape! I got in the shower and just had to let it all go- I felt like I wanted to climb the walls and run away. For some reason it helped to just sit on the toilet- I started to feel nauseous, horrendous pressure and I knew that it was almost time. Terri must have been able to read my thoughts because she immediately helped me back into the birthing tub and boy did the contractions take over then!

Almost there!

Both Terri and Jenny were amazing helping me to get back into my groove and to give into the contractions. I felt the baby’s head, and I started screaming baby baby baby!!! The next contractions were so powerful, and I was so ready to push. I asked them to help because I was not sure about how my body was working in the water and I was terrified of tearing! As I started to bear down I screamed for something to bite because I thought I was about to bite my arm off! Mike threw a towel at me from the floor and I bit the heck out of it and then just dove into it. I felt the head coming, and Terri helped me to push, wait, grunt and push.

It was amazing to feel Peter emerge into the water- I was on my hands and knees, and it clicked for me that that was how I had always wanted to labor and push, and how much more efficient my body worked in that position! After he was out, I just flipped over, lifted up my leg, and pulled him close, and of course I got to peek and tell everyone it was a boy!!!! He immediately held my pinkie with his hand and I just melted!

Welcome Baby Peter!

It was so amazing being at home, laboring while my hubby did laundry, the Christmas tree lights were on, my birthing music was playing, my midwives and husband having coffee, and I just felt so relaxed and at home in the water. I can’t even imagine how I birthed in a hospital before- especially without drugs because the water and the movement were so much a part of this birth and so empowering! And the support and birthing energy from the midwives was amazing. It was like we were sharing a special bond that can’t be explained as they watched my birth unfold in it’s own way. They were so supportive and full of so much amazing wisdom. Not a day goes by that I don’t look at Baby Peter and remember how empowering and special his birthday was!