This month is twice special to me

March happens to be the month of my son’s (3rd boy) and daughter’s (2nd girl/5th child) birthdays! In conclusion, this month is twice special to me! It’s a very exciting time! It marks several milestones and many things to celebrate. For example, the first home birth and my most recent unassisted home birth experience. Let me try and share with you all of my excitement!!

Many things to Celebrate

Where to even begin my story telling

After a 7-year gap, I decided to grow the family. It was not an easy decision to come around to. As a result of my 2 previous hospital birth, I was traumatized and was on the fence about ever getting pregnant again. Given that my second birth was an unplanned traumatic c-section, I was determined to educate myself and becoming a self-advocate. I knew that my previous experience was uncalled for! From the moment that I opened up to the Idea of expanding our family, I jumped into doing deep research on the possibilities of a homebirth. Surprisingly, I came around to the conclusion that I was going to have homebirths instead of hospital births!

Important to realize that I’m a pretty healthy individual and all of my pregnancies have been without any issues. In addition, I was conscious of the fact that if at any point I was deemed to be in need of hospitalization, I would not think twice of it and get the help that both myself and my child needed.

Once I found my team that included the following: Midwife- Who had the vast experience in VBAC that I was looking for (Vaginal Births after C-sections), and doulas (that were trained professionals and also major advocates for my needs), I felt the confidence that I needed to endure the journey. In addition to the homebirth team, I worked in conjunction with my OBGYN for my first homebirth. He is an amazing Doctor and was in agreement with my choice.

My first homebirth experience

I can feel the excitement just going through memory lane! It was filled with many surprises! I was told by the midwife team that it was going to be a GIRL- The first one after 2 boys (at least we thought lol). Furthermore, the weight of the baby was estimated to be under 8lbs. BUT, BOY OH BOY! when the moment finally came- I had both maternal and paternal family at home- all in position for the big moment! Finally, March 27, 2015 @12:05am (after just 3 1/2 hours of labor and with the help of my awesome team!)- He arrived! weighing a whooping 9lbs!! It was magical! I was feeling empowered!

My Most recent homebirth experience

By comparison of my first experience this one too came with plentiful surprises! Since this one was my third homebirth, I was a lot more confident and relaxed. This time around, I opted for a more laid back, relax, calming environment. I knew not to give into my due date, as for my other pregnancies I had gone past my scheduled due date.

Things were going as planned all till the moment of her arrival! In details the midwife schedule was overfilled, delivering multiple births during the exact same time I was in labor. Also, my labor happened to be short framed (just 3 hours of active labor!). In effect, we ended up having an unplanned, unassisted, home birth! The Second midwife didn’t make it to me until after I had delivered, and my original main midwife didn’t even make it to me. It was a perfect unplanned but wished for homebirth!

She arrived on March 27, 2022 @ 12:30am at just a few ounces short of 9lbs! The postpartum was filled with bliss and excitement as we had 2 celebrations for the same day! In conclusion, my decision of never stepping into a hospital unless deemed necessary, has been the best decision ever! I have welcomed my 3 last pregnancies at home.