IN HER WORDS: Rachel’s Story

Growing up, I only knew one woman who birthed a few of her children at home. Unfortunately, my view of birth was still influenced by mainstream hospital narrative: agonizing pain only relieved by epidural; a procedure to be feared; a curse that women bear. 

Fast forward to my college years and the era of Instagram education! Through little squares on the internet, I saw raw, but beautiful images of women birthing in their own homes. I followed accounts that educated on physiological birth. I even witnessed a peaceful homebirth via Instagram live! I began to believe that birth could be beautiful and peaceful and that God so intentionally created my body to not only sustain, but deliver life!

By the time I was pregnant with my first child, I was sold on homebirth. A hospital birth wasn’t even an option for me. I wanted to experience all that my body was capable of, with minimal pain, when given the calm, familiar environment of home. I found a midwife and doula (Tracey!) in my area and began to prepare for the birth of our son in our little Chicago apartment.

During the week leading up to my birth, I was having very light period-like cramps, but went about my days as usual. I ate lots of dates, took long walks, and stayed busy! On Saturday, March 4 (three days after my due date) I noticed more light cramps that were fairly consistent but nothing concerning. My husband and I set our alarms for church the next day and went to bed around 10pm. The following is a timeline of how my labor progressed:

12:30 am 

I woke up with stronger cramps that would come and go. I noticed a bit of a pattern, so decided to time them. Contractions were about 6 or 7 minutes apart and would vary in length. I tried to stay in bed as long as I could and continued to time contractions

2:30 am

My husband was now up with me and my contractions were 4 minutes apart, lasting a minute, and had been that way for about an hour. Contractions were stronger in intensity, but still felt like no more than strong period cramps and were quite manageable. Regardless, we called the midwife who encouraged me to relax with a warm bath to see if the contractions would reside.

2:40 am

I drew a warm bath and my husband got some sleep. While in the bath, I noticed a text message from my friend, “Hey Rachel, I know this is so random, but I woke up suddenly with a strong urge to pray for you, Darric, and baby Elias. I don’t know what’s going on, but know I am praying for you guys!” I got shivers thinking of how incredible the Holy Spirit is to encourage Believers to pray for each other at such opportune times! It was then I knew Jesus was with me in this labor and I had a huge sense of peace.

4:00 am

I lost my mucus plug and started to get nauseous. I knew nausea and vomiting is often a sign of transition, but I felt too early in my labor to be in transition. Despite trying to hold it back, I threw up. Contractions were getting stronger to where I was vocalizing and swaying my hips through each one. My husband suggested we call the midwife and Tracey  and he started setting up the birth pool.

5:00 am

I was on my knees, leaning over my birth ball, and moaning/swaying through each contraction. Contractions were intense enough that I had to really focus on breathing through each one, but I was able to hold a conversation between contractions. Tracey arrived and placed a warm, gentle hand on my back. It was so soothing and made me feel at peace. 

6:00 am

My midwife arrived and offered a cervical check - I was at 7 cm and in active labor! 

7:00 am

I got into the birth pool which was so relaxing! I continued to breathe, vocalize, and sway through each contraction while leaning over the edge of the pool. At this time, the sun was rising and streaming through the windows and the birds’ songs could be heard from inside our apartment. Aside from my moaning, all was quiet and peaceful in between contractions and my birth team kept saying what a great day it was to have a birth - I agreed. I remember feeling like the sunny, calm morning was the Lord’s gift to me as I labored.

10:30 am

I started actively pushing. While I expected pushing to be a relief from contractions, I found pushing to be really difficult - it took so much more energy than I was anticipating! My husband and Tracey were my constant support - sitting beside me through each contraction, holding my hands (or allowing me to grip theirs!), offering me food/water, and verbally affirming all the hard work I was doing.

10:45 am

Contractions continued to increase in intensity and I was feeling rectal pressure. 

At this time, my water still had not broken, but my bags were bulging. The midwife suggested I break my own waters if I wanted to, to progress the labor. I tried but couldn’t, so asked the midwife to. Although contractions were intense, I found myself able to actually sleep for a minute or two between them, which was so helpful going into the next contraction. At one point, I even started spontaneously humming, “Jesus loves me.”

11:00 am

“Jesus help me!” I began to yell as I pushed. By this time, I was getting tired and frustrated with pushing. I even said to my team - “I’m not doing this anymore. I don’t want to.” My midwife recognized these feelings and knew a change of scenery may be helpful to clear my head and reset; she recommended I try to use the bathroom. I reluctantly went to the bathroom, had a few more contractions there, and made my way back to the pool.

11:41 am

The bathroom break was just what I needed to regroup. I gave my all to a few more strong pushes and baby Elias was born! Praise Jesus! My baby coming out was the most relieving feeling. I birthed my baby drug free, in the comfort of my own home, and with the most supportive, peaceful, encouraging birth team. Birth was hard and challenging but totally manageable and empowering. Birth is not a curse, but a privilege; not a procedure, but a natural practice that every mama is capable of.