My experience with New Birth Midwifery was such a gift. We utilized midwifery care with our first child and while that experience was not negative, this time around far exceeded all expectations. It took us 4 years to conceive this baby and I will never forget hearing her heartbeat at that first visit and crying tears of joy with the midwife. In that moment, I knew my baby and I were in the best hands. Every visit I had felt so laid back and I always left feeling supported, encouraged, and excited as I waited to meet our sweet little girl. I loved every midwife I saw and felt that I was able to make solid connections with everyone. This left me feeling confident and comfortable with whoever showed up to my birth. They answered all my questions, calmed all my fears, walked me though every decision that was made throughout the process. It was hands down such a magical experience and Lord willing I look forward to getting to experience it again.
It was October 21st on a Tuesday. I was 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant and I had no idea that it would be the day you would enter the world. Since her sister was late, I just assumed it would be another two weeks before we had the privilege of meeting her.
I woke up that morning feeling tired, but had no signs of labor. I had told my husband that I suspected my water was maybe leaking over the last couple of days but that I would bring it up at my appointment the following day. When it came time to get ready for the day I was just not feeling it. I was feeling lethargic and just too tired to get ready but continued on anyway. I sat down on the floor around 11:00 to put my socks on and that’s when I felt a gush of water. Since I was just over 38 weeks, I was still not convinced that it was my water breaking. I told my husband what had happened and based on that I decided to stay home and just rest for the day.
I called the on-call midwives and Jenny answered. She was so kind and assured me that it sounded like my water breaking but that we had plenty of time and did not need to stress about the fact that contractions had not started. She said to lay low for the day, get rest, and to go to bed early in case things picked up in the middle of the night. She also let me know that Taylor could test to see if my water had broken when I went in for my scheduled appointment the following day. My husband left for work and I asked him to keep his phone nearby as I would update him with any changes.
I kept the day low key and did my best to rest, focus on anything but the possibility of labor and take care of myself.
Around 4:00 that evening I felt my first slight cramp (still in denial that it could be labor). After experiencing a couple cramps, I did however decide that I should time them and just see where things were at. I timed them for about an hour and they were about 6-10 minutes apart lasting about 30-60 seconds. At 5:00 I checked in with the midwives to let them know what was going on. They appreciated the update and said to call back once things were coming more consistent, closer together, and more intense. I worked on making some bread and then just hung out not thinking much more about it.
Shortly after I ended the call, from 5:00-5:30 things really began to pick up. Contractions got closer together, a bit stronger, and I was having to pause through them. As things were picking up I thought that this could now maybe possibly really be labor (still in shock that she would be here early). At this point I was starting to make plans for what needed to happen if she was indeed coming. I called my mom at 5:25 and I told her that I thought I was in labor and that I needed her to make her way to our house. After that I checked in with my husband at work.
Things were picking up really quickly and I was beginning to get nervous as I was home alone with my older daughter and things were starting to progress really quickly. At this point contractions were coming every 2-3 minutes apart and lasting 1-1.5 minutes long. My husband got home at 6:00 just as things were feeling really intense. I told him my mom was on the way but that he needed to call the midwives and update them with what was going on. He called them around 6:15 and they said they would be on their way. It was a good thing he called when he did because they were an hour away.
My husband blew up the birthing pool and began filling it. He finished getting all things set up right around 7:00. At this time I was starting to get a bit nervous that things were getting so intense so quickly and I had a fleeting thought that I was not going to be strong enough to get through labor in order to meet her. In my head, since things had just started, I thought it would be many hours before she was here.
Praise God, Jenny and the student showed up to our house around 7:15. She said things looked like they were progressing well and asked if I wanted to get into the birthing pool. I thought to myself there is no way I am close enough to the end and I should maybe wait it out. I asked Jenny if we were at that point and she thought that we were getting close. I had a couple more contractions and then got into the pool around 7:30.
Once in the water things felt like they were picking up in intensity and closeness even more. I didn’t think I could handle it and I was feeling tired and maybe a bit confused because labor had “just started” yet the intensity felt like the end was near. Our birth team along with my husband were the best support. Encouraging me, giving me tips and keeping me calm. Soon after this I felt the urge to push. Still in denial that my baby was almost here.
After laboring in the water for about 45 minutes I felt the urge to push. In just 8 minutes of pushing with no coaching, no timing of things, and no being told when to push, our baby girl was born. I was so relieved it was over and she was here safely just 3.5 hours after labor started.
The birth of our Quinny Mae was so beautiful and redemptive. We had the absolute best experience with New Birth. I was so thankful for a team who encouraged and supported me to have the birth I had dreamed of in the comfort of my own home. I will be forever grateful for New Birth Midwifery.