Over a month ago and we were able to experience yet another successful home birth with baby #6. In a previous post about my Successful Home Birth with Baby #4 I mentioned how that had been my easiest homebirth yet, however there is a new contender! My labor this time around was so calm and peaceful, and while delivery was intense it was fast. Please keep reading if you are interested to learn about my successful home birth with Baby #6, Micah.
Pre- Labor Signs
It was about 6a.m. when I rolled over in bed and my water broke which caused me to wake up. Initially I thought I was bleeding and quickly moved to the bathroom. After getting myself cleaned up I went and told Sam what was happening. He called our Midwife to let her know that labor had started. Then he called my Mom so my parents could start heading our way to pick up the kids. Roughly an hour later the kids started to get up, so we began our morning routine with them. During this time, we told them what was happening and got them packed for my parent’s house. My contractions were barely noticeable, so I was able to help Sam do a lot of the morning routine and get the kids packed and ready to go.
Initially we had many plans for the day. This involved going to drop kids off at the Grandparents to play. Sam and I going out to lunch together. Possibly check in on my Grandmother who had recently turned 96. Visit our Midwife in the afternoon for our 40-week appointment and run errands. Oh well plans change 🙂
Labor Begins with Baby #6
Contractions started picking up around 10a- ish maybe a little before. By this time my parents had already come to pick up the kids and taken them to their house for the day. We told them we would keep them updated as things progressed and once we were settled after birth they would hear from Sam. My contractions were not too intense, so I went about doing some household tasks. Wash and fold some laundry. Unload and load the dishwasher. Pick up around the house. Pull a steak out of the freezer for my postpartum meal. Ate a small breakfast and took my vitamins. Prepped the bedroom for the birth. Spent some time praying and reading my Bible. Then talked with Sam. Finally, I decided to relax in bed and try to take a nap since I could think of nothing else to help pass the time.
The Midwives Arrive for the Home Birth
I was able to rest for about two hours before deciding to get up and walk around a little bit. I finished folding laundry and was moving around when contractions started to intensify. Sam called our Midwife again so she could start heading our way. He then suggested I go back and lay down, which I gladly did. Sam then came to sit with me and watch a movie while we waited. During this time when a contraction would hit, I would mentally give myself a peptalk until it passed. “You are another contraction closer to holding your baby. You are not in pain. These contractions are just intense. Relax. Don’t tense up. Let the intensity of the contraction move through your body and bring you that much closer to meeting your baby. Lord, help me through this.” Yes, some of you may think, “Lady you are crazy talking to yourself!” I can honestly say that by completely relaxing my body. Not tensing up or even squeezing Sam’s hand during a contraction like I would do in the past. Talking myself through it really helped make each contraction bearable even up to when it was time to deliver.
Our Midwife and her assistants showed up within an hour of Sam calling and got themselves situated. They checked my blood pressure. The baby’s heartbeat and asked some questions. How labor had started? How the past few hours had gone, etc. I remember at one point telling them I was sorry, but I was going to be antisocial as I worked through the contractions that were coming closer together. Of course, my understanding Midwife assured me that was fine and do what my body needed.
Delivery of Baby #6, Meeting Micah
As my contractions got closer together and MUCH more uncomfortable, I went from laying in the bed to leaning over my birthing ball on the bed. Again, I was completely relaxing my body and talking myself through each contraction. At this point I was more talking to Micah saying, “Hey, buddy when you are ready to make your appearance, I am ready too. This is your show so when you are ready for me to push I will. I am ready to meet and hold you!” Of course, when the urge to push came my body took over and he crowned quickly. When our Midwife told me this, I also could tell for myself by the ring of FIRE! I took a breath, gave one last good push, and he was out… PRAISE the Lord! I relaxed on my birthing ball a few more moments before laying back down on the bed so I could hold him and get a first look. He was born at 3:14p on a Thursday afternoon.
Postpartum Care after a Successful Home Birth with Baby #6
While I lay in bed holding Micah, our Midwife and her assistants went from checking on the Baby to caring for me as we waited for my body to birth the placenta. Meanwhile Sam was off making my steak so I could get my energy and strength up. While I ate, our Midwife and her assistants took care of Micah by cleaning him up after Sam had cut the cord. Putting him in a diaper. Checking his heartbeat, etc. Then they turned their attention to me so I too could get cleaned up. They helped me sit up and walk to the bathroom so I could use the restroom. Freshen up and change my clothes before returning to bed to hold, cuddle, and nurse Micah.
Our Midwife and her assistants stayed a few more hours to make sure Baby, and I were doing well and even ate dinner with us before heading out. Sam even had time to run to the local Mexican restaurant to pick us all up dinner while they were still here. During that time Sam called my parents to talk to the kids and let them know their brother was born. Due to the time, they were able to spend the night with the grandparents, and we would see them in the morning. Sam and I were able to enjoy a quiet evening cuddling and caring for our 6th baby. It reminded us of when our first child, Olivia, was born 7 years earlier.
Meeting Baby Brother after the Home Birth
The next morning after eating breakfast we reached out to my parents letting them know whenever they were ready, they could bring the kids home. We spent the next little bit waiting on the kids and anticipating their reaction to meeting Micah. When the kids finally arrived, they ran into the house and headed straight to the Livingroom then began calling out for me. I told them to come into Sam’s and my room so they could meet Micah. The kids were SO excited! All of them were eager to hold him, comment on how cute he was, ask about his eye color, who did he look most like, etc. It is always SO much fun to show off the newest sibling to our older kids. They are so gentle, sweet, and do a wonderful job of helping and loving on new siblings. The kids were even hesitant to leave my room to eat their lunch, but we assured them that Micah wasn’t going anywhere.
What I did Right after My Successful Home Birth with Baby #6
Rest, rest, and more rest! I will always preach to new mothers that resting those first few weeks it wonderful for your postpartum healing. Now I wasn’t always so willing to do this myself. With my last four home births I have seen how important it is for a Mama to care for herself postpartum so she can heal properly. Then you can be healthy and full of energy to care for your family later on. You recover much faster when you take those first two weeks to relax, care for baby, and let others help you out.
For More Information on Home Births…
Curious to hear about my other successful home birth stories? Or if you are looking for guidance on where to start with your own home birth. Check out the Home Birth section on the Blog!
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