My First Home Birth

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since this little baby was born. A quick update on the birth and then I'm back to trying to teach this baby how to nurse, pumping, sick kids, and laundry I can't keep up on. Yet, in the midst of all this I feel my Father's arms around me.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9

The Birth

7:30 Contractions. Called the midwife in and she says you're at 5cm.
8:00 Went to the Chiropractor to get one last adjustment
8:45 Got home from the Chiropractor and posted on Facebook that I'm officially in labor.
9:30 Contractions getting stronger. Especially in my back. My wonderful husband faithfully did this maneuver through every contraction pushing my hips together which cuts the pain in half, and allows the baby to move down. In the meantime the birthing tub is filling up.

9:45 I decided at this time that I couldn't take anymore and they announced the tub was ready. I stripped quickly in between contractions which was about 10 seconds and jumped in.
10:05 Me: "Carol, my body is pushing by itself!"
Midwife: "Then push."
Me: "But my water hasn't broke!"
Midwife: "It will"
10:10 Push 1: Water breaks Push 2: Head's out Push 3: Body's out
I looked down and saw my baby floating in the water and lifted her out. I've delivered eight babies now and this feeling never ever ever gets old. I was in shock and completely consumed with love for this child. I didn't know that baby's born in water don't even cry. My midwife's assistant assured me she was fine. Just very content. She went from water to water and doesn't know the difference. She just sat there with her big eyes staring at me. I was the one hysterical.

10:30 The infamous Jacqui comes over and helps me get her to breast while we're still in the tub. An hour later, we're still in the tub nursing because Lily decided she liked that spot. It was not until we took her out of the water did we hear her cry.
11:45 Stepped right from the tub into the shower and got all cleaned up
12:00 Laying in my own bed with my precious baby eating cheese, crackers, strawberry's, and homemade soaked Belgian waffles with real butter and maple syrup. (Thanks to Lisa who I don't know what I would have done without!)

I have to say that this was the number 1 most amazing experience of my life.