The Birth Story of Finley Nathaniel {Planned Homebirth, Unplanned Unassisted}

February 13, 2013

I never imagined I would have an unbelievable birth story to share. I prayed for an easy, fast birth – who doesn’t! – but didn’t really think it was something my body could do.

On Wednesday January 16th, I began feeling different enough to tell Michael that a baby would be here by Friday. Nothing painful or distracting, but I could feel that dilation was occurring. I had a cough for the past few days, and I knew that was the reason for the strong Braxton Hicks I was feeling.

I slept well (such a relative term) that night and woke up Thursday at about 7:30am. I didn’t feel much different than the day before except that now the “contractions” were a little more uncomfortable. I put contractions in quotes because I really never thought of them as that. They were only concentrated in my cervix, no back or uterus pain.

I texted Michael, who was in class, and told him to come home after Greek Exegesis. I knew that would be about 10:30am and I could parent the kids from bed no problem. I also sent a text to my prayer warriors just to let them know that “today was probably the day”. Honestly, I sent it thinking that sometime much later in the day I would say “this is it”. The text was sent at 8:21am as I was heading upstairs.

I figured it would be a good idea to go upstairs to my bed and lay down for no other reason than I was just tired. By the time I got to the top of the stairs I felt like I needed to use the restroom. I headed to the potty and tried to go. It was a very odd feeling because I was trying to go but pushing hurt. I just figured it was because the baby was much lower.

Once I went I thought all was good. Then I got up and it hit. A real contraction. I moaned out and had a moment of panic because I had never experienced a real contraction on my own. Michael had always been there for the hard part.

At 8:25am I told God I couldn’t do it alone. As soon as it was over I quickly texted Michael – “Come now!”

The next contraction started less than a minute later. I knew I needed to change positions so I went on hands and knees. Once there I thought “maybe if I just push it will help”. I was in complete shock that pushing made the baby move a LOT. I put my hand down to figure out what was happening and felt the bag of waters and half the head! At this point I pushed the whole body out at 8:27am. I kept thinking “this didn’t really happen”! And, this baby must have the smallest head! There was no pain in pushing; the only pain came down my legs when I stood during the first contraction.

I then yelled for my 10-year-old daughter Haley who was already on her way up after hearing my “growl”. I told her to grab the baby and wrap it up. Once the baby was wrapped up Haley held him until I could turn over and take him.

At 8:30am I snapped a few photos and sent one to Michael… He was completely shocked! It had only been 5 minutes since I texted him to come home.

unnamed

I then called my midwife Renee and said, “I know this is crazy, but I just had the baby.” She was more shocked than Michael. Renee told Haley how to get me comfortable on the floor until she got there.

The kids and I talked about how crazy it was that I had just had the baby! CRAZY! The last they knew, which was just 10 minutes earlier, I was going upstairs to rest. Then they heard me cry out. I am so glad Haley wrote out her story and is old enough to remember all of today’s events. What a blessing this has been to all of us!

I can only imagine what was going through Michael’s head as he was driving home. Michael got home a little before 9am (the kids ran down when they heard the garage door open and said “Daddy jumped over the front of the van!”).

Michael checked the gender and announced BOY like he expected it to be. Of course, we didn’t have a boy’s name. Renee arrived about 10 minutes after Michael, and I was finally able to deliver the placenta and Haley cut the cord. I don’t think I stopped laughing about this whole story until late afternoon. NEVER did I think a birth like this could be part of my story.

By lunch Michael and I decided on the name Finley Nathaniel. I have always loved the name Finley and Nathaniel means “given by God”. He certainly was given by God as was his blessed birth.

Morning after conclusion: Whether you have a fast or slow, hard or easy labour you still feel like you’ve been hit by a train the next morning.

Many readers have asked if my previous 5 births were fast.  Absolutely not! This is what makes Finley’s birth all the more unbelievable for me.  I have very long and painful transitions that typically last around 3-4 hours.  Praise the Lord for His mercies in this birth! I’m not counting on having another birth THIS good but I am so grateful for my shockingly fast and unexpected birth of #6.

The ‘birth text’

Autumn is a homeschooling mommy to 6 gorgeous children, and the owner of All About Cloth Diapers

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67 Comments

  • Sharon F.

    May 25, 2013 at 4:40 pm Reply

    So many good blessings to you. My daughter had a similar experience, only WITH hubby present, on May 6th. I’m filled with tears at thinking about the miracle of it! Congrats!

  • Sarah

    May 25, 2013 at 8:18 pm Reply

    We had a similar experience with our 2nd, and 2 kids later I find it even more amazing, looking back. Woke up at 1:30 am in the middle of a Braxton Hicks, thinking it would ease until my water broke and the pain set in! Called husband to come home (1/2 hour drive), sat on the ball for a few and then got on the toilet trying to avoid extra mess. He loaded up our 2 year old to drive 5 minutes down the street, I hopped in the shower thinking it would ease the pain, and the next contraction dropped me to my knees. I felt an overwhelming need to push, and thought there’s no way, but reaching down I could feel her head! 2 pushes later, and our 2nd daughter arrived – 45 minutes from start to finish!

  • Jerusha Welborn

    July 8, 2013 at 3:52 pm Reply

    Go Mama! I’m so glad you listened to your body and were able to have your baby without fear of “what if” (enter anything here). You did it and he’s beautiful! I know how you feel about thinking that something would never be part of your birth story. My second baby was 10 pounds and I still can’t believe it! I remember when my midwife weighed her and told me she was 10 pounds even I said, “You’re telling me I just had a 10 pound breech baby at home in the water?” She said, “I am!” I felt like Wonder Woman!

  • Samantha

    July 10, 2013 at 6:48 pm Reply

    Being a mom whom homebirthed all three of my children at home, and will be having my fourth this December.. I am so glad I found this beautiful birth story! I cried reading and laughed..what an amazing experience..thank you for sharing

  • Bethany

    October 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm Reply

    Wow incredible. I’m betting your daughter will be such an amazing birth advocate & mommy herself for what she has witnessed. Just like in the past when girls witnessed Mom’s births routinely.

  • Laura

    February 24, 2016 at 10:40 am Reply

    This is a classic example of a Fetal Ejection Reflex…

    This is a reflex that all woman can experience if she is protected from Neocortical Stimulation – which in your case was true.

    Awesome!

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