The Perfect Homebirth of Amelia Holiday!

[jupiter84]

Well she's finally here!  After 9 beautiful months of having her all to myself I finally get to share her with the world. 

Labor slowly started on the morning of June 2nd.  I had to work that morning and decided to go ahead and go in.  Contractions were about 15 minutes apart all day long and varying in intensity.  Being at work was actually a blessing, it kept my mind occupied and my body moving.  I worked till 2:30 then I went home.  When I walked in the house I asked Matt if he was ready to have a baby.  I told him things weren't too intense yet and that we should still have several hours.  We sent Gideon out for the evening with my SIL and Matt distracted me with some video games.  The contractions got a little closer and more intense.  Around 8pm I asked him to set up the pool while I showered.  After I got out of the shower we ate and played some more video games.  My SIL dropped Gideon back off and he went to bed pretty quickly. 

About that time the contractions were intense enough that I couldn't focus on the game we were playing any more.  Matt filled up the pool and I tried to get comfortable.  I tried hands and knees, on my side, and every other which way.  I finally just got up and started pacing my living room.  I'd pace back and forth and then lean over the side of my couch for a contraction.  Matt started rubbing my thighs during contractions and that felt fantastic.  I was really enjoying myself at this point and just getting excited.  My contractions were still about 6 minutes apart but they were lasting a full minute to a minute and a half.  I decided at 11pm it was time to call my midwife.  She lives about an hour and a half away and I wanted her to have plenty of time to get there.  Around midnight I called my mom and best friend who were anxiously awaiting their summons. 

I got in the tub not too long after my mom and best friend arrived.  It took me a little while to figure out positioning again and decided hands and knees leaning over the side was the best.  At this point I started having some back labor and contractions were very intense.  Brenda finally arrived a little after 1am.  At this point I asked Matt to get in the pool with me.  He was kind of hanging back not sure what to do and I knew I needed him there.  I hadn't planned on him being in the pool with me as he's kind of squeamish but it was what I needed.  He started putting some counter pressure on my back which was a tremendous relief.  Everyone else hung out in the living room while we labored for a while.  At 1:45am my water broke.  I hadn't really been feeling pushy yet so it kind of surprised me, I said "oh" after it broke.  Matt kind of laughed and said "it's ok".  I then laughed and said "I didn't fart that was my water".  It lightened the mood a bit.  Brenda came and checked and said the water was nice and clear and went back in the other room.  I was pushing with the next contraction though and told my mom if she wanted to watch the birth it was time to come back in.  A couple of pushes and I had her head out.  Matt and I both had our hands on her head and could feel all this hair.  Brenda gave Matt a few instructions since he was in the position to catch, basically she's going to slide right out just catch her.  It took a minute or so from when her head came out till the next contraction but she slid right out with the next push. 

They passed her under my leg to me and I got to check her out and announce "It's a girl!"  I sat on Matt's lap and we bonded with our new baby girl.

We sat in the pool for a good hour and a half waiting on the placenta.  Amelia nursed like a champ the entire time.  I finally got tired of being in the pool and we moved to the bathroom.  It took about 2 minutes of sitting on the toilet for the placenta to come out.  Brenda checked me out and no tears, not even a skid mark! We all got cleaned up and moved to the bedroom.  We weighed her then, a good sized 7lb 10oz, a bit bigger than Gideon who was only 6lb 14 oz.  Everyone oohed and awed over her for awhile.  Gideon was pretty excited about the baby.

After that everyone cleared out to let us get some rest.  Brenda cleaned up a bit and promised to be back the next day to check on us.  My mom took Gideon home with her since he was all wired up after such exciting events.  Matt and I got to cuddle up in our bed with our new little girl and sleep.

The birth was everything I imagined and more.  Brenda was perfect, very hands off but there giving support when it was needed.  I was able to listen to my body and find support in my husband.  3 days later and I still feel like I'm riding high from the experience.  Amelia is a wonderful baby, maybe even better than her big brother was which is hard to imagine.  She nurses like a champ and sleeps basically all night long.  I have yet to hear her really cry.  Gideon is in love with her and loves to kiss and snuggle with her.  I'll try to get some more pictures up soon, she looks so much like her daddy. 

[kymberlia]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 3:19 PM

Love love love her name... we actually thought of that for our newest....  congrats!

[Lb128f]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 3:45 PM

[happySAHMmomof2]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 4:30 PM

Aww, Congratulations!  What a beautiful story, little girl and family. 

[autumnxoxolaken]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 5:31 PM

CONGRATS!!   what a wonderful story!!!  i really need to get mine posted on here:)  having a homebirth  was the most amazing experience:)

[asaffell]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 5:50 PM

AHHHH! YAY MAMA! Enjoy your babymoon! Big hugs for you and Amelia.

[souldolphin]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 7:06 PM

what a cutie!!!!!!!! Congrats momma

[marleysmama]

Jun. 6, 2009 at 11:11 PM

Congrats, you birth sounds beautiful!

[EllieB83]

Jun. 30, 2009 at 2:37 PM

Okay, I just about cried from reading your story and checking out the pics!  I'll admit it, I have baby fever..LOL!  I'm so proud of you...and Matt (for getting over his squimishness :-)).  I can't wait to see Amelia again and let the kiddos hang out!

[HannahC]

Jul. 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Awesome and Congrats!