We welcomed our third son, Jackson Hunt on Thursday, June 20th at 7:48pm. The story of his birth has been fresh in my mind since. It was a beautiful, peaceful birth, without complication. Capturing it in writing has been something I've wanted to do for weeks!
As many of our close family and friends know, we chose {again} to do a home-birth with our third and final baby. We don't believe it is for everyone but have found that home-birthing is the safest, least invasive way for our children to be born. It has not been a decision reached lightly or without hundreds of hours of thought & research. We again contacted our fabulous team of midwives & our doula {labor coach} from our two prior births. My prenatal care indicated I was again, a fabulous candidate for a safe delivery at home.
So without further adieu, here is Jackson's welcome story!
I reached the magic 37 week mark in early June, with that we were in the clear to delivery any time at home. Nervous that I wouldn't have help for the boys during labor and that we may repeat a quick delivery without professionals present (See Owen's birth story), I called in the big guns early. Making quick decisions about bringing grandparents up early to care for the boys, putting my birth team on call and discussing our options of induction were all on the table. At my appointment just shy of 38 weeks we took the precaution of checking my cervix (something we had not been able to do with either one of my previous boys as active labor started without notice and pushing followed shortly after). I was already 3cm dialted and 20% effaced. At my appointment on June 19 the following week, I was 5 cm with a bulging bag of water and effaced. Had I walked into a triage/labor unit I would have been admitted for being in labor. I had been having contractions on and off for weeks but without any progression. I had taken measures to bring on labor, walking a lot, exercising, washing my rig...without avail. Knowing that labor was emanate we discussed our options at that appointment. We went home, talked with our doula, prayed and came to the conclusion that we wanted to control the start of my labor to ensure that everyone of our team was present. We asked for our team to arrive at 5pm the following day.
I spent the majority of Thursday resting, storing up on calories and enjoying my boys. Kristofer went to a full day of work. At 5pm, our midwife, student midwife, birth assistant and doula arrived. We began filling the birthing tub, the midwives began to set up their equipment (all the same stuff as a hospital, without the pain management medication & surgical equipment). At about 5:30pm they broke my water; what a relief that was! It felt great. I then drank a homeopathic labor-inducing smoothie that if a women's body is ready for labor will induce contractions within 2 hours. Shortly after my folks took our boys to dinner and Kristofer and I began to walk/side lunge up and down our stairs. This helped get my contractions closer together. In the meantime my doula used positioning techniques during every contraction, ensuring Jackson would enter the birth canal in an appropriate position. It was uncomfortable but bearable. Within the next hour I felt the need to throw-up come and go. I asked to get off my feet. My doula helped me to the bed where I went on all fours. A position that with my two prior births got me into the transition phase and into pushing immediately. This happened for the third time. With one contraction, I sat up and said "he's coming." My team prepared themselves for the birth, helping me into the tub. The water felt great and immediately helped me relax and focus on pushing with my contractions. After 3 pushes, between 8-10 minutes Jackson arrived. I remember looking up at my doula with a huge face of relief. She later asked what I was thinking, I said "I'm done forever, no more babies!!"
Kristofer was in the tub with me (he was thankful that it was one of the cleanest births my midwife had seen, the water was clear and clean). Jackson, upon bringing him out of the water and into the air took his first breath and began a healthy cry, clearing his airways completely without assistance. It was beautiful, I brought him to my chest where Kristofer and I embraced him. He immediately began to root to nurse. We sat there for another 20 minutes or so. Meanwhile Aaden and Owen were bathed and put in their pjs. They came in and said "goodnight" and "hello" to Jackson. It was perfect. We then made our way to bed where Jackson and I spent the next hour cuddling and nursing with Dad close by. Our team then did their checks, weighing (6lbs 15oz), measuring (19.75") & completing their routine care. Jackson's apgars were perfect (9 & 10), we both had great heart rates/blood pressure etc. Once we both checked out beautifully our team departed and left us to rest through the night. In all I had only 13 contractions and labored for 1 hour and 45 minutes before pushing.
We are so thankful for the safe, unmedicated home delivery of our third son!
