Hannah’s Birth Story

Well she finally arrived! Hurray hurray! Hannah Olivia Webb was born last night at 6:59pm; weighing in at 8 lbs and 8 oz (my biggest baby yet:)) and having a length of 20 in. The difference between this birth at home and the other 4 in a hospital was unbelievable. I knew that it would be better at home, but I still had no idea until it all happened last night.

I had been having contractions that were 5 minutes apart for about a day and a half before I actually went into labor. That really threw me off, because I was expecting to go into labor really quick (seeing how this is my 5th and all that). But instead I had what my midwife calls “nuisance” contractions that weren’t really doing much of anything besides keeping me anxious. She said that maybe my body was too exhausted or stressed to go into full labor and to get some rest. hahah…rest, what’s that when you have children?

I am really thankful for my friend Emily who was there for me to encourage me and to go walking with me. I hate walking alone when you’re trying to get your body ready for labor; and though I love my husband, walking at the mall isn’t his cup of tea So, after a bout on her Elliptical, a trip to the Chiropractor, and a brief nap my contractions finally gained some intensity around 3pm on Friday. Now I finally knew that I was going to be having the baby that night. We had to get the kids packed up to go to Aaron’s parent’s house for the night. Around 5pm my contractions got really intense; the kids were finishing dinner and Aaron was running around trying to get everything into the van for everyone. Micaiah was trying to ask me why I was breathing so hard and had to stop and lean against the wall, but I really couldn’t talk to her at that point. So, out the door they went, and I told them all bye and I loved them. Right after he left, my contractions became way intense and right on top of one another. I didn’t leave my spot on the wall. I used it as a prop as I got myself into like a sit position. It seemed to be the only thing I could do.

I had called my midwife. She got stuck in rush hour traffic on her way over. I knew I was dilating really fast and would be ready to have that baby soon… I hoped she would get here quickly. I got myself changed and my mom and Aaron broke out the plastic tarps and made up the bed with plastic underneath.

I was on the floor squatting when my midwife arrived. It was about 5:45. She was an awesome help throughout all this. My water hadn’t broken, as it never does. She said she wouldn’t need to break it, that it would break on it’s own. After I reached 10cm my contractions spread out to be about 3 min apart and I could rest in between. I couldn’t figure out what position I wanted to be in. My midwife offered several suggestions before she broke out the birthing chair/stool. Aaron sat behind me and held me as I leaned back in this chair. I felt way more comfortable in this position than in the other ones. I felt really at peace with Aaron holding me. He was really encouraging and a great help. Thank God for an amazing husband! I was dilated at 10 for about 30 minutes before I really felt that overwhelming urge to push. The whole time the atmosphere at home was really peaceful, and light. I kept saying, I think I forgot how to push a baby out, because I didn’t feel that urge yet. I think also I was scared of the pain I knew was waiting for me when she would crown. The midwife told me later that somehow that baby would get pushed out, because it is innately in women. She said that there was something in us that when the baby hit a certain spot on the way down that initiated that pushing urge and it takes over, above all reasoning or thought - in other words, you don’t have a say in the matter. It made me think about just how amazing God is in His plan and design.

After pushing for about 40 minutes, my water broke like a water balloon and got my midwife wet (that was kinda funny) and out came Hannah. Only instead of closing my eyes and going into aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa mode, my midwife made me focus on her and breath and push with her as I eased the baby out. I really appreciated that. No doctor had ever focused on me so much as the baby was coming out. They are usually busy twisting the poor thing’s head off trying to pull it out. She didn’t do any of that, because it isn’t necessary. So out comes Hannah and immediately onto my chest. Oh I couldn’t believe it. I was shaking and in pain, but I had this amazing little person on my chest. They dried her off, gently rubbed her back and got the goo out of her nose. My midwife and Aaron helped me to the floor where the placenta came out. All the while, I got to hold Hannah on me. She wasn’t crying or in distress at all. After the cord was cut, I took a warm bath while Hannah nursed with me in the tub. The midwife came in and washed her hair; she left the rest of that white cream on the baby and told me if people could sell that stuff it would cost $1000 for a small container because of how incredible it is for your skin (that’s why babies are so soft). Isn’t God amazing?

After my bath and we were dressed, the midwife did paper work and all the measuring of the baby. She wavered the shots and tests for us. I didn’t want to have Hannah poked or prodded at all. And after about an hour and a half after Hannah was born, she and her nurse left us alone. Aaron and my mom took good care of me for the rest of the night as we rested in bed and ate good food. (Thank God for moms who know how to cook I learned that it burns 5000 calories to give birth…that’s pretty cool….heheh

So, would I do it again at home? Absolutely. Birth wasn’t half as scary this time, I didn’t feel overwhelmed or like everything was out of control, but instead I felt at peace, and surrounded by people I could trust. Did the house get messed up (that was Aaron’s concern, God bless him)? Not one thing was out of place or dirty when my midwife and her nurse left. I thank God for finding me a good midwife and for an incredibly healthy baby girl. God bless everyone and thank you for your concern, prayers, and gifts