First Baby Home Water Birth
Beka has shared the birth story of her first baby, born at home in the pool, after facing a lot of the doubt, fear and questioning many first time home-birthing mums do!
There are some incredible descriptions here about what birth felt like, what helped her (and what didn’t!), a really useful read for anyone wondering ‘what labour might be like’?
(For context around the care provision set up- Beka gave birth in the USA.)
“As a first time mom and someone who was raised around medicalized births and lots of avoidable c-sections in my family, I was TERRIFIED of birth!
When my husband and I decided we wanted to start our family I did loads of research to find ways to get of my fear and how to prep myself for as natural birth as possible.
My husband supported me every step of the way and made sure I was always comfortable. We eventually found a birth center that did home births with incredible midwives!
My wonderful Midwife Marsha was sweet, caring, informative, and always listened to my questions and concerns, even when they seemed silly. She really made a difference in helping me change my view on birth.
When I announced to my family I would be having a natural home birth with a midwife, they all said I was crazy, wouldn't follow through, and that it was unsafe. But I had a small group of people who cheered me on and helped me reach my goals
When I went into labor, I was already 41 weeks so I was extremely impatient to meet my baby! My labor started around 3pm on Friday the 13th. It was early labor for hours and hours until around 5/6 in the morning the next day. (I could be wrong on the time I was a bit blurry on time my entire labor!)
Once my midwife made it there I was still only at 6cm and my water hadn’t broken yet. I was in and out of the shower to help me handle contractions and I hummed deeply with each contraction.
Around 10:30/11am my midwife suggested that if my water didnt break in a few hours, we could manually break them if I was comfortable with it. Instinctually I moved into a different labor position and with my next contraction, my water had broken! We got myself in the shower one last time while my mother in law got the birth pool situated. While I was in the shower I started feeling my baby move further down my body. I kept telling myself that I was so close and just had to hold on a little.
We finally got me into the birth pool and everything became calm for about 20 minutes while my body relaxed into the warm water.
My midwife checked me again and I was still a 6.
I started to get nervous thinking my body wasn’t dilating and those thoughts made me tense with my next few contractions. I remember my midwife telling me after noticing my change in tension, “I’m a firm believer that our bodies wont do things that it can’t handle. Lean into those contractions. You’re doing great.” And with those words I relaxed and I worked on melting the tension off.
Those words stuck with me for the rest of my labor! I leaned into each contraction and alot of the pain left my body. I trusted myself to handle each wave.
Again I was checked and was still a 6 but I convinced myself that my body was just taking its time and I would meet my baby soon.
About 20 or so more minutes pass when I get the random urge to reach down and feel around. Nothing about my contractions indicated I had gone through transition yet and the last time I had been checked I was still at a 6.
When I put my hand down I felt hair, and what I assumed was my babys head! I was already beginning to crown!
I looked up gently as I was exhausted and told my midwife I was pretty sure I felt his head. She almost didn’t believe me until she checked for herself.
At that point my husband, photographer, midwife and the assistant midwife all shot straight up! It was time for my baby to join us.
I continued to feel my baby's head with my hand and I gently spread myself around him to help myself stretch more slowly and prevent tearing. I loved these last moments with my baby. I gently played with his hair and just soaked up every last second.
With my next few contractions I just breathed deep and down letting my body breath him out. And in one final contraction, his head was out, he turned fast and came flying out into my hands.
I was shocked at house fast he was born and how birthing him wasn't as painful as so many people had led me to believe.
But I did it! Kairo James Brummett was born at 12:57pm at home. He was caught by myself right into his mama’s arms”
Photos by Marissa Mix Photography