I had my first son at age 18 and he was delivered by an old school OB who told me I wasn’t trying hard enough to push him out. He didn’t exactly offer a forceps or vacuum extraction because he told me these interventions were not designed to do 100% of the work. After a total of twelve hours in…
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Hypnobirthing Through Horrible Back Labor: A VBAC Story
I have been laboring for an entire day. Lying in the bathtub completely relaxed listening to peaceful music and meditating. I hear the door open quietly. I open one eye and take a peek. My oldest son Cash is sneaking in. I close my eye and get back to THE work of relaxation. Feeling a surge coming, I know it…
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Born En Caul, Majestic Spirit, & Family Before Everything
In case you missed last week on our Instagram… “There is a majestic spirit that every mother has within & with that spirit comes the power to accomplish the impossible. Here’s to all of the mothers that make magic happen on a daily basis.” Photographer: @KELBPICS _ Model: @ashleymolinaa Wearing @terrytoccidesigns Styled by @theartistknownasvoodoo Hair by @alterimagebydonna MUA: @thenakirashow #birthwithoutfear A…
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NICU, Transfusions, & the Prepared Doctor: A Triplet Birth Story
I knew pretty early into my triplet pregnancy that a C-section would likely be my birth story. And honestly, I was perfectly fine with that. After struggling for so long to have a child of my own, I didn’t care too much whether I delivered vaginally, naturally, cesarean–I just wanted my babies to be healthy. And I was beyond grateful…
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Laughing Gas, a Cesarean, and a Double-Edged Sword
Saturday morning, June 1, 2015, I wake up with this crazy urge to pee. I get up, or rather I roll out of bed and head to the bathroom (I am on my 38th week of pregnancy). Everything goes as normal, so I head back to bed. Check the time… it’s 3:30 am. I’m lying there WIDE awake at this…
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One Giant Push Without Pain Meds: “He’s Coming!”
I am once again reminded that nothing is gained by worrying. I was more anxious about this birth than the others. But this baby is our New Hope. I kept reminding myself throughout pregnancy that my hope comes from the Lord. That He is in control. As induction drew nearer I found more things to worry about. Labor and delivery…
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Eloise’s Birth Story: Finding Healing & Hope
By the time I became pregnant with my second child, I knew the kind of birth I wanted. I had spent most of my life hating my body. For not being thin enough. For not being pretty enough. For not being good enough. I hated my body for its infertility and, most of all, for the miscarriage that I had…
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Embracing the Unexpected: Akash’s Birth Story
Life has a funny way of taking what we plan and completely turning it on its head. Akash’s birth was no exception to this rule. Throughout 2016, William and I had taken several leaps of faith. However, even in the midst of moving hectically four times, navigating an unexpected job change for William, and rolling with life’s other twists and…
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Strong and Beautiful and Nothing to Regret
When I first found out I was pregnant, I knew immediately that I wanted a natural, drug free birthing experience. Months leading up to the birth, I was reading birthing books and articles, Mike (my husband) and I practiced labor positions and relaxation techniques and I felt like I could totally tackled this labor like it was nothing more than…