Liam’s Home Birth Story
Birth out of love instead of fear! I heard this advice on March 2, 2022. It was a beautiful day, so I went for a walk on the trail. With only one mile under my belt, I felt energized by the beautiful snow on the mountains, and the cool, crisp air. My son got home from preschool and I had to start breathing through my contractions by 5 pm. After dinner the contractions continued, but stopped before bed. At 3 am, I was awoken by a strong contraction, I didn't want to wake my husband, so I cozied myself in the basement room. It was dark and quiet, but every 20-30 minutes I had to readjust my position during the contraction. With both of the deliveries of my sons, I had long labors; so I vowed to rest as long as possible. At 6 am, I started having more frequent contractions. I noticed the pink and purple sunrise outside the window and realized that our baby would arrive today! At 7 am the contractions were closer together. The house was still quiet, so I endured another hour of more progressive contractions, all the while thinking open thoughts and listening to hypno birthing scripts. I managed the sensations while reciting the words of the meditation. At 8 am I came upstairs and told Bob that it was time! He asked how frequent contractions were coming, but I honestly had not timed them with my App yet. That’s the beauty of a home birth. There’s nowhere else to be, and I was trusting my body to do the work in whatever time frame needed.
My husband suggested calling our midwife. It felt too soon, since it had been barely an hour with contractions a few minutes apart. The Assistant Midwife answered the phone and suggested a cervical check, and offered to come over and then head back to her office if I we needed more time to progress. Our midwife arrived at 10 am and performed a check. I didn't request the result, so my mind could focus only on relaxing and opening.
She then invited my husband to fill the birth pool. As I started mentioning that I was prepared to keep laboring all day, she said, "I can’t hold it in any longer, you are 8 cm". We were doing it! I had been channeling all of my thoughts towards open cabinets, the sun rising, an open water lily and my cervix opening. My sister surprised me with a personal recording of our Birth Affirmations. It brought me to tears, it was so special to realize that all of the work my sisters and I did starting Made Mindful was now manifesting as an uneventful delivery. I felt a huge surge of energy knowing I would not have another 40 labor, or 30 hour labor. My first son's birth ended with a C-Section, and for our second son's delivery, we transferred our care a few days before his birth to a Midwife because our OBGYN would no longer support a VBAC. Having experienced both sides of the spectrum, another VBAC was my ultimate goal. The contractions were strong, and my Midwife invited me to breathe and relax so I could feel more grounded. That encouraged me to find more strength, and rely on the tools I possessed to thrive during each contraction. I started to squeeze a comb in my hand, and was reciting birth affirmations like, "I feel confident. I feel safe. I feel secure." Since Bob had a lot to coordinate, I was on my own in the living room, but I did not feel alone. I felt brave, calm, strong, empowered. I was regal, a queen in the reverent atmosphere of my own castle, I was welcoming a little prince to the world.
Bob made a strawberry smoothie for me, and I got in the birth pool. As a girl who grew up with a hot tub in the backyard, the relaxation of the birth pool was just what I needed. Since my water had not broken, I asked my Midwife if that would stall labor. She just said, no, that my body was progressing perfectly. She and her team calmly prepared the room for the arrival of our baby. There was a moment when I looked behind me, to see if she was still there. She was there; but she was not there to coach, she had no commands nor complaints. She was there to catch our baby, but I was there to deliver our baby. I felt respected. I felt in control. I felt like a true goddess. The hot pool was a huge relief, and remained relaxing, until I felt the urge to push. After a few minutes of pushing with each contraction, there was a pop, and my water broke in the pool. The midwife called out that it was clear, (which was a relief), and I knew that our baby would arrive soon.
I had previously asked my midwife about pushing techniques, and if I should breathe the baby down, her response, “that would take forever” so when the urge to push came again, I summoned the strength of the birth warrior inside me. I knew that in labor, the only way out is through; so even through the pain, I pushed, and pushed and I felt him descend, and then the next push was the ring of fire. My midwife asked me to stand, and she helped adjust the slight shoulder dystocia, and out came Liam Vincent Ziroll. The elation that I felt delivering our baby boy was beyond joyful. There was a huge thrill, a sense of accomplishment, accompanied by the most profound love for this new, beautiful child.
Liam was born at 12:42 pm, one day earlier than his dad, (born on March 4th) and one minute later than his dad who was born at 12:41 pm on March 4th. He weighed 8 lbs 2 oz, 20.5 inches long. The supreme reward of struggle is strength. Every birth requires strength - medicated or unmedicated, vaginal or C-Section. And every birth is a wonder that a baby so perfect and precious enters the world in just a moment in time. The experience was surreal, and even if I dare say, a magical event. I felt like a strong birth warrior. I hope through my story you will remember: you have the strength within to birth your baby!
Special thanks to Lexi Hurst Photography for capturing the photos and videos of Liam's birth.
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