Imagine waking up on Christmas Day at 4:30 in the morning not because you're excited about Santa coming, but because your body is telling you a baby is coming!  I had to go to the bathroom and felt the slightest hint of a contraction...and 10 minutes later there was another one.  It took me about an hour to make sure and then I texted my midwife, Jenee, as a heads up.  With my history of rapid labor I didn't want to waste any time.   Next, I sent a text to my good friend Jessica who was planning to photograph the birth, but told her no rush (I didn't want her to miss out on Christmas with her kids!)  We planned a home birth and had rented a birthing tub (with a thermostat so it would stay warm and so Daniel wouldn't have to bail water out!).  My midwife told us to go ahead and start filling it up thinking we would have a baby by lunch!  So, I woke Daniel up telling him today was the day and then went to the living room to wake my mom telling her we were getting ready to have a baby.  She and Daniel started filling the tub with hot water.  Next thing I know there was a knock at the door and it was Jessica!  She had rushed right over. :)  It was about 6:30 then.  She had already had Christmas with her kids (early risers!)  My contractions were feeling more real, but staying only about 8-10 minutes apart.  The kids woke up about 7:15 and we were able to enjoy opening gifts and having a "normal" Christmas.  I liked that there wasn't any interruption to our usual Christmas morning, but it all felt very strange to me since I was a bit preoccupied with anticipation and what was going on with my body.  Jessica stuck around, took some pics of our morning, and left around 10 since nothing seemed to be happening with me as far as labor and birth were going.  Jenee, my midwife, had said that labor may slow down with all of our activity of the day and she was right. This seemed very strange since my births usually go very quickly.  I kept in touch with Jenee through text and phone calls throughout the day and since I was progressing slowly she got to enjoy Christmas with her family as well!  I pretty much spent the day wondering and waiting and pacing.  I took a shower after Jessica left and put on some comfy clothes.
In an effort to minimize distractions and try to speed things along, Daniel's parents came to get Joelle and Jordyn around 12:30 and take them to Daniel's sister's house to enjoy lunch and time with family.  (We had planned for Sonya and Sage to stay for the birth.)  Coincidentally, we had exchanged our gifts and celebrated on Christmas eve with his family.  The afternoon dragged along as we waited and waited and nothing was really happening.  I had contractions on and off, but it was like I really wasn't even in labor.

Around 2:00 p.m. it started snowing!!  It was turning out to be a white Christmas in Texas!  This was adding even more excitement and memories to "birth day."  Sonya was excited to go out and build a snowman.
My sister-in-law, Jill, who is a physical therapist, decided to come over around 4:00 to massage my "trigger points" to try to get my labor going.  It may have helped because my contractions started coming slowly.  As it got later, the weather seemed to become more treacherous, and as we ate dinner, with my contractions increasing, it was starting to get dark.  I was afraid it would take Jenee a long time to get to my house so I texted her to make sure she was okay to drive in the snow and ice.  She seemed to be fine with the idea, but said she would go ahead and leave her house just in case.  I was grateful she was on her way because it made me nervous that she might not make it for the birth.  I think it was about 7:30 when she arrived and I will never forget her standing in the entry way, assessing the atmosphere, and telling us what to do!  Too many lights, too many people, too much activity!  She sent Daniel and me to our room to relax and labor, turned the music down in the living room, dimmed the lights, and sent everyone (kids, Jessica, my mom and Gerald) to different rooms so I could just focus on labor.  Sonya says she was 'trapped' in her room. :)  While I was laboring in my room, Daniel and Jenee were working to get the birthing tub to the right temperature.  Jenee would check on me periodically, help me relax during contractions or put pressure on my sacrum to give some relief.  Another moment I will never forget is when I was sitting on my exercise ball tensed up during a contraction and Jenee putting her hands on my head, then my shoulders, then my knees as I closed my eyes as she quietly told me to relax my whole body from top to bottom.  It was at that moment that I knew we were meant to have our babies at home with a midwife.  Through the Lord, she cared for me, helped me, calmed me, empowered me to do what my body was meant to do.  Contractions were getting intense.  I stayed mostly rocking on the ball, humming through contractions, but stood up and swayed for a few of them while Jenee would put pressure on my back.  Finally the tub was at the right temperature and I was ready to get in!  That hot water felt sooo good!

It really does take the edge off.  Between contractions we all would talk and laugh.  Jessica, my mom, Sonya, and Sage had come back in the living room.  I didn't notice much except Daniel, Jenee, and Miranda (the assistant midwife) who were right by me.  At one point between contractions I asked Jenee when she would know it was time for me to push.  I'm used to being in a hospital bed with a nurse checking to make sure I was dilated enough and tell me to do so even though I had already felt ready.  Jenee just said "Oh, you will change your sounds."  Okaaaayyy.  Well, sure enough, not two minutes later, I felt my baby was ready to make his entrance and my sounds sure changed!!  I wasn't humming anymore!  I was already up on my knees with my arms crossed over the side of the tub, but she told me to move to the other side and bring one leg up (knee up, foot down) to give the baby more room.  With the next contraction I felt the urge to push and when I did my water broke!  While I was pushing I had my head down and Jenee softly telling me to take it easy so I wouldn't tear.  That was so helpful.  Just letting my body do what it felt like it needed to do.  The next contraction and push were intense and I was saying AHHHHHH!  pretty loud. (Apparently that part scared Sonya and she bolted from the room).  But with that push he was out at 9:45 p.m!!  (about two hours of active labor) The next thing I know my little boy is floating up to me in the water!  So amazing seeing that little face!  I grabbed him and pulled him up (sorry Daniel!  He was supposed to do that job, but my reflexes got the best of me!)  It was so amazing! 
The next thing I know they are telling me to stand up so I can get a shot of pitocin in my leg.  I knew beforehand this would have to happen since my iron was not high enough before birth and they wanted to help the bleeding stop faster. 
They put a towel around us and helped me out to the couch where I delivered the placenta and nursed while Jenee and Miranda took care of me.  I held him the whole time.  Jenee showed us all (even the kids) the placenta and even gave a little science lesson about it. :)  Jenee checked his vitals and even let Sonya and Sage listen to his heart.



After all that it was time for the herbal bath.  Daniel held him for a little while and then placed him with me in the bath tub where I held him and washed him off. 

After that, I got dressed and then it was time for the newborn exam which took place on our bed.  10 fingers, 10 toes, great reflexes, measured and then Daniel got to weigh him!  When all that was over he was wrapped up then he and I were tucked in our own bed! 





Daniel stayed with us for a little bit, but then he had to go take care of the birthing tub.  Jenee and Miranda told me good night then left to chart everything.  Jessica, my wonderful friend who captured so much of our day and experience, told me goodnight as well.  It was so special to have her there for everything.  What an amazing CHRISTMAS day!  The next morning Daniel's parents brought Joelle and Jordyn to meet their baby brother for the first time.  So cute.  They loved him!  Jessica came back, too, to take pictures of them meeting him. 


Home birth was an amazing experience!

Nathaniel Mark was born on Christmas Day 2012 at 9:45 p.m. at home.  He was 7 pounds 5 ounces and 20.5 inches long.