Parker's birth story

When I found out I was pregnant with my second child I decided I wanted to
have a DOULA help coach me while I labor in the hospital.  My first child,
Bryce, was born in Jan 06 in the hospital.  A typical "conventional" birth, I
labored hard and early before deciding to opt for an epidural.  Boy did that
smooth things over in a hurry.  I labored without pain for the next 16 hours in
a hospital bed, hooked up to every imaginable device.  I delivered Bryce the
next morning and desperately wanted to hold him in my arms.  I did not even
catch a glance of my new angel as he had swallowed meconium and they
wanted to make sure he was OK, in addition to the routine footprints,
measurements and so forth.  When I did meet Bryce it was incredible and
overwhelming.  I was filled with tremendous joy and love.

But I knew something was missing.  A feeling that I had lost touch with the
empowerment that had been given to me by God.  The true experience of
giving birth and submitting to His timing, will and design of my body.

I knew my next birth would have to be more natural.

So, I said when I found out I was pregnant with my second child, another boy
to be named Parker, I wanted to hire a DOULA to help me through labor in
the hospital so I can have a less "sterile" experience. I hired Ruth Kraft as
my DOULA shortly thereafter.  Ruth asked if I had ever considered a home
birth.  I didn't know they still did home births, or that insurance would cover
them.  I prayed about it and decided to contact Tammy per Ruth's referral.

After meeting Tammy (and her son Matthew who was strapped to her via
sling as he always is) I knew a home birth was IT.  I had a peace radiate
throughout my body, and excitement prevailed knowing this experience was
the one I had been longing for.  My excitement grew throughout the
remainder of my pregnancy.  People thought I was crazy.  "What if
something goes wrong?"  They would ask.  I simply replied "it won't".  And I
believed it.

Fast forward 5 months.  One week before my due date.  August 24th, 2007.  
My water breaks in the car heading home after dinner.  I was hysterical.  It
was happening!

I called Tammy who was at the birth of another woman who, coincidentally,
shared my due date.  I wasn’t nervous by this news as I had a 20 hour labor
with Bryce, certainly Parker wouldn't be arriving until later on that evening.  We
had time to ease into labor.  

Ruth showed up, along with Tammy’s on – call birth assistant,  Sandy.  
Sandy checked me and I was 4cm dilated.  She helped to shift my cervix
forward to allow further dilation as my cervix was in the posterior position.  
She then told me to hop on the toilet backwards as it would open my pelvis.  
Kind of like doing a squat but resting my legs and reserving my energy that
squatting otherwise would not provide.

I spent the whole of active labor on that toilet; petting the dog, talking
football with Sandy.  I was handling labor quite well.  I thought I was going to
die of pain at this point in the hospital.  I was surprised by my calmness and
strength.

I then felt the need to get off the toilet as I knew my body was “transitioning”
to the point where the pain would soon become a little too intense to mingle
with midwives and massage animals.

I moved into the tub at that point.  My labor really sped up and got intense.  
Ruth helped to keep me calm during contractions.  This went on, and
intensified over the course of 45 minutes.  I trembled, felt ill, and suddenly
felt the need to get out of the tub.  Parker was coming and I knew it by
listening to my body.

I got out of the tub and clawed my nails into poor Ruth’s back.  She
supported me through my bathroom and into my bedroom where Tammy
(who arrived 15 minutes prior) and Sandy prepared the room for delivery.  I
knew Parker was coming and it hurt like crazy.  I really thought I was going to
have him in mid-walk.

I got to the side of my bed; supported from behind by Ruth and squatted
lower than I thought was humanly possible at that point.  After two pushes
Parker was barely in Tammy’s arms before he hot-potatoed into my arms.  

“I can’t believe this just happened” was my response. And as I looked at my
new, beautiful son I see Tammy’s son Matthew’s little face pop out from
behind her back (yes, he was in the sling again as he was when we first
met).  It was amazing, spiritual, overwhelming and downright hilarious if you
add Matthew to the story!

Parker remained attached to me via the umbilical cord until its final pulse.  
Daddy (Jason) cut the cord and Parker took his first breath apart from my
body. It was a truly amazing experience.  After a labor lasting only 4.5 hours
I was on a high beyond belief and yet, had the energy and alertness of a
woman who had slept hard all night.

My home birth was a beautiful one.  My husband, Tammy, Sandy, Mary too
who showed up after the birth and Ruth were my rocks.  I have friends and
family who are pregnant now becoming very interested in a home birth.  I
feel like I have inspired them with my story.  I hope so.  It was nothing short
of a miracle.