My Birth Story

I don’t have a truth about a product to give today, so I offer a truth about myself.

My first pregnancy was wonderful and not too traumatizing. In retrospect, the birth was saved by can do attitude. The doctor had checked out after giving me pitocin (ouch) and was ready to give me a c-section at the first chance he got. I told the student attendee, “Look, I go three pushes left in me, I’ll push you pull, ready?” She just looked at me, moved in place and shook her head.” I pushed and she well she did something because Alana popped out.  She was blue and had been sitting stuck in my birth canal. She was 21 inches long and 9 lb.13 oz. A big baby for my round but petite frame. I am so glad she was not a c-section and that she was just a little blue. I am grateful for the experience, but it was not one I wanted repeated.

I gave birth to my second child Asherah at home. It was a natural choice after my first birth. I did not worry about anything because my thought about motherhood at this point in my life was, hey I did it already and I did it well.

I hired a midwife and my friend offered to be my doula. I had my birthing team together and my belly grew and so did my sugar levels. I was becoming diabetic. I instantly stopped eating sugar and carbs. I juiced greens as often as I could stand and my sugar levels returned to normal after about a week. I tracked my sugar levels twice daily and did not have any more complications.

My water broke the afternoon of September 22nd, a whole 3, almost 4 weeks ahead of my October 19th due date. I showered and because we had no food in the fridge, went to the food co-op. By the time we payed for the groceries I was experiencing contractions that made me stop and catch my breath. We raced home. I sat in the back trying to keep the bumps from making the contraction hurt more.

I called my doula as soon as we got back to the house and then I called my midwife. My S.O. put on our playlist and we just sat around until I began vocalizing. My doula arrived first, she lives close by and then the midwife arrived soon after. Whew, everyone arrived and literally 15 minutes later I was pushing. It has been said I pushed 4 times and then on the 5th push Asherah popped out! 7 lb. 4 oz she was absolutely beautiful and healthy!

The entire process took about 5 hours.  Asherah and I nursed and then slept. It was a quick and momentous day. I will always feel good about the summer fall equinox now. It was a good day.

Tagged as: baby, beautiful, birth at home, brooklyn, family, giving birth, homebirth, Love, Parenting, preganncy, safe birth, unique