I figured what would be a better first post than the reason I decided to start this blog in the first place. After having a home birth as a first time mom I just wanted to share my experience.

I originally was planning a hospital birth up until 28 weeks. After what would end up being my last OB appointment I left feeling really upset. My whole pregnancy I was very adamant that I wanted to have an unmedicated labor. I researched all the decisions that would need to be made with labor and delivery and I had a very detailed birth plan that I had worked hard on making sure I was educated on every little thing that was to come.

I’m a big planner if you can’t tell.

At this appointment I asked my doctor when we could discuss my birth plan so she would be aware of the things I wanted and most importantly didn’t want. In which she replied “ Oh that’s not really that important… most of all that stuff people ask for is standard care now.” I was pretty shocked and felt extremely dismissed. Even if want I wanted was standard care I felt like a discussion about what I wanted was important.

I went home and talked to my husband and he just kept saying let’s just do a home birth. But at the time I had no clue how to make that happen especially that late in my pregnancy. Thankfully a family friend was very knowledgeable since she had already had a few of her kids at home. She helped get in contact with an amazing midwife she had used previously, who just so happens to have one spot left for February due date, which just made it feel meant to be. And thus the home birth journey began.

February 18, 2024

We went to church that morning just like any other Sunday. I felt pretty normal all day, and by normal I mean large and uncomfortable.

But that was nothing new.

That night I started to have a few Braxton hicks which didn’t really worry me because my due date wasn’t for another week. As I was trying to fall asleep it seemed as if I was having some stronger cramps but still was very irregular.

February 19th 2024

12:30am

I started to realize that the cramps were starting to come more often and that’s when it kind of hit me… I shook my very asleep husband, Tyler and said “ummmm I think I’m in labor!” to which he replied “ummmm okay what do we do?” I decided to try to just relax and continue getting some rest for as long as I could. My doula had told me that if I thought I was in labor to rest while I could.

Sometime between 1:30am- 2am

I decided to give my midwife a call just to keep her updated. She suggested that I get in a warm bath to see if labor was going to progress or slow down. While in the bath I called my mom with as much excitement as nervousness. I honestly surprised myself with how calm I felt. After sitting in the bath for about 30 mins it was very apparent this was for sure real labor. Contractions started coming very rhythmically but were still pretty far apart. I got out and walked around the house and tried to lay down when I could to rest. But its really hard to sit still when you equally in pain and excited your finally going to get to meet your baby.

4:00am

Contractions seemed to be getting closer together at this point and a lot stronger so I called my doula and she decided it was time for her to head over. While Tyler prepped the bed with the birthing sheets, I called my mom so she could make her way over to. It started to feel a bit real, today was really the day. As we got the room ready still I was shocked at how I just felt this over whelming amount of peace even through the painful contractions. The only thing I kept thinking was to surrender to the waves of contractions.

5:00am

Everyone started showing up to the house, my doula, midwife, her students, my mom and mother in law. I know some may think thats a lot of people. For me these were all strong women in my life and having them all around me just made me feel so strong and comfortable. Everything kinda starts getting a little blurry. I just remember feeling so comfortable in the uncomfortable.

I had my people around me and I just knew everything was exactly how it should be.

The worship music playing lowly in the background and my birth affirmations on the wall, low lighting and hushed voices. It was truly peaceful.

7:00am

I labored in bed for a while and then my midwife asked me if I wanted to get into the pool. But what I ended up doing was have her check me but not tell me how many centimeters I was just yet. I wanted her know how I was progressing but I didn’t want to get a number stuck in my head so I could just let my body do what it needed to.

Later she told me at that point I was already 7cm 😱

I got into the pool and I remember feeling a burst of energy as I sunk down into the warm water. My MIL later said I looked up with big eyes and said “Oh My! This water is magical!!”

During this time things felt very calm and I was just talking with god a lot. I was so thankful for this journey, for a healthy pregnancy and health baby which allowed me to be able to have this incredible birth experience.

Sometime after 8:00am

I truly lost all track of time after getting in the pool. I was fully embracing every contraction and just listening to what my body wanted to do. Sometimes it was to move around and other times it was to just lay still. I felt like I was almost in another world. I could hear everyone lowly chatting but I was just deeply focused on allowing my body to do exactly what it was made to do.

After a few hours laboring in the pool

My water still had not broken and they wanted to change my position to see if it would break. So we move to the toilet. This is went stuff really started to get going. As soon as I sat on the toilet a big contraction came and I felt Waylen drop down.

Feeling the movements he made to make his journey into this world are indescribable.

How his movement and mine worked together was absolutely amazing. After a few more contractions in that position my water finally broke. Waddling back to the pool, I realized my dreams are about to come true. I’m gonna meet my little boy.

Once I was back in the pool these contractions were like none other. They were STRONG and I started feeling this urge to push.

I was about to see my babies face.

With every push I could feel him getting closer to being out.

It was tough for sure. I felt so exhausted. I remember taking some deep breaths and saying a prayer between contractions. When that next contraction came I pushed as hard as I could and the next thing I knew Waylen was in my arms.

1:45pm 02-19-2024

Waylen William Stancil born in the comfort of our home. The only words I could get out was “OH MY GOD! I DID IT!” I have never in my life felt so proud of myself and so instantly in love.

My home birth experience was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it if you are interested in an unmedicated birth. The freedom I had to let my body do what it was made by god to do was breath taking. The midwife’s and doula who were supporting me made me feel so safe and in control of my own labor. The comfort I felt from having my mom and mother in law and husband right there with me every step of the way. It was a magical experience and I am so grateful and blessed that I got the birth experience I did.

I would love to hear from other mama’s out there. What was your birth experience like? Would you do a home birth or have you?

If you have any questions for me feel free to ask away! I am an open book and would love to help others who are interested in home birth!