My Unmedicated Birth Story: My Decision to Give Birth Out-of-Hospital

Aug 28

For a long time, I knew I wanted an unmedicated birth with as little intervention as possible.

Let’s set the record straight…

I find nothing wrong with wanting a hospital birth. For many women, they feel the most comfortable giving birth in a hospital setting.

For me, I felt completely uncomfortable even thinking about giving birth in a hospital.

After researching c-section rates, hospital protocols, pitocin side-effects…

I decided to have a home birth for my first.

My husband was also 100% on board and supportive of that decision. Having a strong support system for any birth is so important.

He shares a lot of my opinions about medicated vs. unmedicated birth, which made my decision easy.

Honestly…

It was amazing.

It was 100% the correct decision for me, and I wouldn’t change anything.

However, for our second, I wanted to go to a birth center.

I wanted to have our space and have someone watch our son or at least be at our house while he slept.

Feeling more prepared, calm, and at peace for my second birth, I knew the birth center was the correct choice.

Early Labor Begins - July 31st, 2023, 2:10 am

My birth story begins abruptly and almost, precisely on time.

I hear my son crying out for me in the middle of the night. He’s restless and not sleeping. Labor is far from my mind.

I can only think about getting back to sleep.

I check on my son who is crying over spilled water in his crib. I change the sheets, change his clothes, and snuggle back in bed.

I get back up to pee (you know how it is) and my water breaks in a gush.

Suddenly, I’m wide awake.

At this point, I know without a doubt labor is starting and I wake Isaac, my husband, up.

I let my midwife know my water broke, but since contractions haven't started, she tells me to keep her updated.

I want to labor as much as I can at home, so I put on my favorite show.

Ah, The Office.

Comfortable, familiar, predictable.

It’s the episode where Pam goes into labor, and they are trying to distract her from her contractions as they get closer together.

Honestly, the perfect distraction.

Sure enough, my contractions start within 30 minutes of my water breaking and it feels good to lay on my left side under a blanket as I watch my show.

Isaac's out there with me on the couch and we are making jokes about labor!

He plays some music for me that makes us laugh, and I tell him it matches my vibe.

Laughing and making jokes make the foundation of our relationship strong, and I love him so much at this moment.

I labor at home for 3 hours, and then things start to shift…

Call the Midwife, Active Labor 5:10 am

It's time to call the midwife!

At this point, Isaac is calling because I can't talk very much through contractions. But, I'm staying calm and remembering my breath.

I know anxiety can slow labor down, so I begin my anxiety-reducing breath routine.

Inhale for 4 seconds through the nose, and exhale for 6 seconds through the mouth.

I do it five times and the contraction is done.

That's how I get through them.

Every time.

Soon, my sweet friend is coming over to watch my son and we're loading up in the truck.

I'm nervous to step up into the truck because I didn't have to get in the car last time. But I manage to get in the truck and settle in the seat.

My friend shows up, and Isaac is soon beside me. Before I know it we are on the highway.

He checks in with how I'm doing, but everything stays very calm. I'm listening to my body, and the quiet music on the radio.

My contractions grow closer together.

We arrive at the birth center and I realize I'm so excited to get into the warm tub and calming atmosphere of my room.

It's all I dreamed it to be, and I feel completely at ease. In control.

I can't think about anything except my breathing.

After a cervical check, I decide I don't want to know my dilation. I am most comfortable listening to my body without having a number in my head.

To me, that isn’t a measure of progress or success, as my body can change quickly during labor.

Instead, my midwife will tell me if it’s time to fill up the tub or not.

And after my cervical check, she says it’s time to fill the tub.

I’m shooting for a water birth….

But….

One thing I will learn is, labor often goes differently than planned.

Transition - around 7:00 am

At this point, I’m not focused on the time or much of my surroundings.

Transition is a fog!

You are so focused, yet completely in another place.

During this time, I am locked into looking at one thing – The bracelet I didn’t think to take off.

I find myself completely locked into staring at the gold chain on my wrist with a heart-shaped charm that glistens in the soft light.

I am facing the most difficult contractions, and I am so ready for it to be over.

At this point, I doubt myself.

I doubt if I can actually do this.

I’m convincing myself that I will be in labor forever.

But I pause.

Boarding the doubt train means one thing:

Labor is almost over.

When I come to this realization, I decide to change positions.

Movement is so important during labor.

I feel the need to get out of the tub and try something different.

My midwife and midwife assistant plan to empty and refill the tub to make it clean and ready for my water birth.

But…

I don’t get back in the tub…

Pushing 8:10 am

After using the bathroom, (always a good idea during labor) I decide to sit on the bed and wait for the tub to fill up.

I suddenly feel the need to go to an all-fours position on the bed, feeling intense pressure, a feeling I can’t ignore.

I realize it’s finally the feeling I’ve been waiting for, and I know it’s almost over.

My bracelet catches the light again, and I’m locked in. There’s no way I’m getting back in the tub.

I see Isaac is there, supporting me, I’m squeezing his arm tight, and watch flashes of gold against the soft blue wall.

I tell him, “I feel her head.”

My midwife briefly left the room right before this moment, thinking it wouldn’t quite be time to push….

But it was time!

Isaac rushes to grab her and I’m breathing in spurts, surrendering to my last few contractions, letting them exist, no fight, just acceptance.

One contraction, her head is out, another comes, and the rest of her follows!

Ivy is born! 8:19 am

Ivy is here!

Immediately my pain is gone. The pressure is gone, replacing it: pure joy.

This is the best part:

I am completely present.

Awake, alert, and so empowered.

Proud.

Natural Birth Resources for You

Thanks for reading my birth story!

I have to give Selah Midwifery Center (located in Rigby, Idaho) a shout-out for being so amazing. They made my second birth everything I hoped it would be. My midwife Stephanie was with me every step of the way, and I could not be more thankful for her.

I’m such an advocate for women feeling empowered during birth and taking ownership of their birth experience.

I want to give pregnant women hope about giving birth, instead of feeding into the fear-culture surrounding giving birth.

If you have more questions about my birth story, feel free to reach out to me! I’d love to talk about it more with you.

Below, I have attached links to resources that helped me through my natural birth process.

You are not alone!

Let’s do motherhood together.