Our Beautiful Birth Story...

I want to share our miraculous (or as my midwife Donnellyn says, record-breaking) birth story. It may get long so bear with me, k?

Sunday, the 1st, was a wonderful day. We went to church and they had planned on having a get together for our SS class at our SS teacher's house. Well, at the last minute (or so I thought) they changed the plans that the girls went to one house and the guys went to another. Michael drove me to the Howard's house where he was going to drop me off. Lo and behold, he walked me to the door where I was greeted by "Surprise!". I was completely overwhelmed by my loving friends and the beautiful baby shower they surprised me with. The food was delicious, and the cupcakes were the best EVER! We got some really nice gifts, but my favorite part of all was sitting around talking and getting to know those lovely ladies better.

Sunday evening I went to bed not feeling the greatest, but I chalked it up to being tired and knowing that I WAS almost 9 months pregnant. After all, I wasn't due for another 2 1/2 weeks and was hoping that he would wait to come until my mom could get here! Around 1:15 am I woke up feeling a gradual gush. I thought I was wetting my bed!!!!! It was the weirdest feeling ever. After three times of heading to the restroom, I realized that this was not normal so I called my mom and she immediately told me to call my midwife. Michael called Donnellyn and told her some of my symptoms and about me leaking (well, more like gradual gushing). She decided she definitely needed to come and check it out. She lives close to an hour away, so she needed time to get her things together and get here. Michael called her again as she was driving because I had started having regular contractions 3 min. apart. I then talked to my sister who also said it probably would be a while so I needed to go back to sleep. Thankfully Jillian had sent me my birth kit and I had gotten it only days earlier.

When she arrived, she tested the fluid to make sure it was amniotic (which is definitely was) and by that time I was already dialated to a two! Most everyone still thought though that this baby probably wouldn't arrive before nighttime (at the earliest) so everything was pretty laid back. She also told me to try to sleep, but I just couldn't!!! I was still gushing amniotic fluid and having contractions so I couldnt relax enough to go to sleep. Donnellyn then had to go back home to check on her little granddaughters who were visiting and get the rest of her stuff together. Her Apprentice (and my doula) Laurie came a little before DOnnellyn left and stayed with me till Donnellyn was able to return (Laurie was amazing btw, and very calm). Michael held on to me and told me how much he loved me and was so encouraging!

At this point, facts become hazy. The next thing I remember (a few hours later) I told Laurie that I was experiencing pressure in the front and then a few min. later told her I felt the need to push! She of course told me not to push but to try to relax and helped me to the bed. Donnellyn then came back and checked me and I was dialated to an 8!

Donnellyn called my friend Hannah (Chapman) Tallo, who I had planned on getting together for lunch that day, and asked her if she wanted to joing our birthing party. Well, Hannah, who wants to be a midwife and just needs to get her license, automatically said yes and came right over. So I had three wonderful ladies all encouraging and coaching me through it.

I got on the bed (at this point I had been laboring in the shower, and in different positions with the birth ball on the bed) and they propped me up with pillows behind my head. Donnellyn then started working with me to make sure I was breathing correctly and "singing my baby" out (meaning, making low moaning noises instead of using a higher pitch groan or a scream). She then told me I could push, but to make sure I used my lower body to push, not my face and neck. As things progressed, she told me she could see the head. Here I was in the middle of labor, hurting terribly, but when she told me that, I just couldn't wait to see him! I continued breathing and pushing over and over again trying to make sure I did as she told me to.

Little by little he inched his way out, and I felt this incredibly painful burning sensation called "the ring of fire" and with a final push, little Hudson rushed into his new world and into my arms at 9:45 am. All I remember at that point is a rush of emotions... relief that the pain had ended, happiness that he was here, and joy at how God had given us such a precious gift. Tears ran down my face as I looked at him laying on my tummy and marveled at his beautiful little self.

I was so happy that both sides of the family were able to hear the birth over the phone. As soon as he came out, they had to do a couple of stitches, but I was starving! Michael went and got me a sirloin steak burger and a strawberry shake from Jack in the Box. I couldn't finish the burger, but I sipped every bit of that yummy shake down.

So here I am... a mother. It is such a beautiful feeling. I remember my mom and sister telling me there is no other love like it in the world and I completely agree! I knew there was a little life inside of me for 9 months, but it wasn't until he rushed out of his former home and they laid him on my chest that the full reality set in. I was a mom and here was my beautiful son.

Watching my wonderful husband cuddle our son and talk and sing to him, and seeing Hudson respond with cooing and baby talk less than 5 min. after he arrived was amazing to me! We have been reading scripture and singing songs to him for the last 8 months and he definitely recognizes our voices.

My homebirth experience is one I will never forget. God truly blessed me with a beautiful birth... 3 hours of active labor and 56 min. of pushing! These ladies are amazing and I will definitely recommend Donnellyn as a midwife wherever I go and to whomever will listen. Please pray for me as I continue to recover from giving birth.

Through my labor and delivery, I learned to rely even more on God, plus I saw the amazing strength of my husband as he cared for me, and helped me through a really hard time. I praise God every day for keeping me safe as well as all the blessings I so undeservedly have received from Him.

Dear Father, I thank you with every breath that is in my body. I thank You for being there for me with Your loving hand on my shoulder as I labored and was in pain. I thank you for my amazing husband who loves me so much and is constantly giving of himself for me and our boy. I thank you for my precious son. I thank you for his good health and that he came into our world in Your timing.