First, let me say after having two hospital births and one
home birth…
Home Birth Rocks!!
Here is our story:
Bryson’s birth was perfect for what I knew at the time.
Water broke at home, we arrived at the hospital around 6 pm at 5 cm dilated,
and he was born 3 hours later. However, I had an epidural, pushed for an hour,
and the doctor decided to use the vacuum to get him out. Not bad considering
the circumstances.
Two years later I was doing it again. Another hospital birth
but this time we had a midwife. The midwife was just what we were given. We
arrived at the hospital around 2:30 pm only to be told that I was dilated to 3
cm. My water broke and Blake was born at 3:13 pm. Fast delivery and no drugs. I
was extremely happy with the way his birth went. I knew that if I did it again
I could do it at home.
Fast forward, to 10 years later. We found out on October 18,
2009 that another bundle would be joining our family. I told Michael right away
that I wanted a home birth. His only concern was insurance. I loved the fact
that the midwife we chose would come to our house for every appointment. We did
not see her for 5 minutes as we would have with a doctor. She spent time with us,
not just pregnancy talk but our personal lives as well. I told her what I
wanted for my birth and she said everything was up to us.
On June 7, 2010 I woke up not feeling well.
Michael took the boys on a bike ride. I tried eating but could not put a lot of
food down. I took a bath which made me feel a little better. I just sat around
because I did not want to have the baby yet. Around 12:30 pm I decided to start
timing the pains that I was having. They were not consistent and did not hurt
that bad. Then at 3:00 pm I went to the restroom and yelled out to Michael. He
sent Blake in and I told Blake I wanted daddy. I showed him that my mucus plug
broke and told him it was baby time. Michael called Linda (midwife) right away.
I was so excited that I forgot about my stomach hurting, but then it hit me and
I was running to the toilet. Usually women do not get sick until transition so
Linda came right away. He then called Deanna (best friend) because she had a 2
hour drive to our house. Linda checked me and I was only at 2 cm. My mom and
Kristen (SIL & photographer) showed up soon after. Deanna finally arrived
around 5 pm and she, Blake, and I went for a walk. I had consistent
contractions the whole time. It was too hot so we went into the back yard with
the misters on. A little later we went back in the house so I could lie down.
Linda came in and she was going to make a run to her house, she lives around
the corner. After she left I was back to hugging the toilet again. I used my
birth ball for awhile and when Michael came in he touched me and the
contractions would stop. I decided to walk again to make the contractions
stronger which did help but my back would hurt carrying my little pea around.
Linda came back and she checked the heartbeat and cervix. Heartbeat was around
150/160 during a contraction; however at 8:51 pm I was only 3 cm. Linda decided
to send everyone out of the bedroom so Michael and I could have some alone
time. She told him to draw me a bath. Well, as soon as my body hit the bath
water my contractions came on strong. Again I was having back labor just like
the other two. I had 3 good strong ones and Michael told Linda to come back in.
She told me I could just have my baby in the tub but I was getting so cold. So at 9:35 pm off to the spa I went. The contractions were so intense in the spa. At 9:53 pm my water broke and again I was throwing up. I
had 2 contractions during that time so I believe that helped my cervix open
more. I noticed that my legs and arms started to tingle and my whole body was
going numb. I don’t remember but I guess I yelled at Michael to get in the spa
to rub my back. He did and it helped so much but the numbness was not going
away. At 10:09 pm I was feeling pressure to push but Linda wanted me out of the
spa because of the numbness and I really did not want to have my baby in the
spa. Michael helped me out and I leaned on him during another contraction. I
was thinking I can’t push yet and have my baby on the concrete in my backyard.
We were in the bedroom by 10:13 pm and I had another strong contraction but I
was telling myself to hold off until I could get in bed. Michael helped me on
the bed. What a relief now, I get to push. I was focused on my boys making sure
they were okay. I knew I had to be calm for them. They knew how babies were
made and how they were born, but this was their first experience. I left it all
up to them if they wanted to be there or not. Baby started crowning and Michael
was right in there helping with the delivery. Deanna was holding my hands and
talking me through the contractions. Later, she told me that I was using her as
leverage but holding on so tight. Linda told me to reach down and touch my baby’s
head. I don’t remember her telling me that but I guess instinctively I just did
it. Everyone said, “Oh look the hand is up by the head.” This is called a
Nuchal hand delivery (hand by face). Michael had to pull the elbow out. Baby’s
head was delivered along with one arm out over the head. As soon as baby’s head
was out we heard crying. He checked to see if the umbilical cord was around the
neck, nope baby was all clear. Another push and daddy caught his baby and
lifted the baby up to me at 10:20 pm. After a few minutes I looked and announced
that we had a beautiful boy. I looked at Bryson and Blake who were both so
excited. Yes, they wanted a sister and I wanted a little girl, but this little
boy chose us and this is what GOD wanted us to have. What a little blessing!!
I, daddy, and the boys are extremely happy. We are also glad that a birth is
what we chose to do. Michael said if we had to do it all over again our other
two would have been born at home. Bryson and Blake agree also that a home birth
is better, and hope that their children are born at home too. Here he is and delivered by daddy:Brennan Andrew Kochanski June 7, 2010 at 10:20 pm 8 lbs. 3 oz. 21"
