Emily's Birth Story

Photo Credit: Golden Lotus Doula Services (Lisa Byerly)

I had always envisioned having an unmedicated birth. When I became pregnant with my first son I knew I wanted the proper support to achieve that goal. I hired my doula, Lisa, and started prenatal care at a local OB. I soon switched to TMC and never looked back. I still travel an hour to see them for regular GYN care.

From my first appointment I felt listened to and respected. Throughout my pregnancy I was so excited to experience labor and felt so prepared and cared for. They never once made me doubt my ability to birth my baby, and in fact, midwife Emily told me during admission that my baby was the “perfect size for my body to birth”. She estimated he would weigh 7lbs, 5oz; 12 hours later he made his appearance at 7lbs, 1 oz!

39.1 weeks: I noticed an increase in watery discharge. I suspected my water may be leaking and was told to come in. After an exam and reassurance that everything seemed normal and healthy, I was sent back home to wait. On my drive home I felt my first mild contractions, they felt similar to menstrual cramps.

39.2 weeks: The next day, I woke up feeling irritated by everyone around me. This was out of the ordinary for me so I messaged my doula and kept myself busy running errands. I felt more cramping which I later realized were early labor contractions. They were still quite irregular so I did the Miles Circuit, cooked myself some dinner, and spent the rest of the evening relaxing. As midnight approached the cramping intensified. After a particularly strong contraction I decided it was time to phone the midwife on call and let my doula know I was definitely in labor.

39.3 weeks: I was SO excited to finally experience labor, and Nia suggested I head in around 4 am. It was a busy night, I was told 3 other baby boys made their appearance just before I arrived. On the way to TMC my partner and I joked about getting sent back home and laughed between contractions. I coped by focusing on my breathing. I felt confident in myself and my providers. When we arrived at 4:05am, midwife Emily announced that my water had a slow leak and I was dilated to 5cm, and fully effaced. I remember instantly bursting into tears knowing that I had made it “halfway”. My doula arrived shortly after to join us. I was excited and talkative in between contractions. Lisa encouraged me to eat a snack which would be the last time I felt like eating until after my baby arrived. As labor progressed I continued breathing, and started receiving counter pressure and hip squeezes. My mom braided my hair in between a contraction, in preparation to get into the tub.

Emily labors in the birth suite with the support of her partner. Colorful lights are projected onto the ceiling to create a special atmosphere for birth.

I got into the tub around 7:30am and started going inward during and between contractions. My doula, mom, and partner stayed by my side the entire time. At 8:30am I was feeling the urge to push. I started pushing, following my body’s lead. A while later my midwife, Theresa, did a cervical check and determined I was only at 9cm, with a lip of cervix in the way. I got out of the tub to try and allow my cervix to fully dilate. It was nearly impossible not to push. I got back into the tub after only 2 contractions. The warm water offered immense relief from the intense contractions. I relied heavily on the encouragement from my birth team. After 3 hours of pushing I was exhausted and ready to tap out. My midwife, nurses, and doula never once made me believe that I couldn’t do it.

Emily labors in the birth tub.

At 11:23am I felt intense burning. Soon after that I felt a pop, my water had broken. At 11:29 Luca Dean made his appearance. I birthed his head in the tub and then was assisted out of the tub so my midwife could maneuver him through his double nuchal cord. I remember looking up to see my doula comforting my partner as things started happening really fast. Theresa was so calm that I never worried about the safety of me or my baby even in the chaos. His time of birth, 11:29 is my birthday, November 29th which I still think is awesome.

I was assisted to the bed where I delivered my placenta, my baby was never removed from my chest and I experienced over an hour of uninterrupted skin to skin. Luca found my breast and latched within the first hour. We were all in awe at how alert and strong he was immediately after birth. The breakfast they cooked for me was probably the best scrambled eggs and toast I’ve had.

Emily and Luca experience skin-to-skin contact shortly after birth. Her partner sits beside them.

I remember feeling so euphoric and strong after birthing my baby and so relieved to lay in bed and rest after doing the hardest thing I had ever done. The rest of my stay was full of resting, and learning to breastfeed. At 2 hours old, Theresa came back to do his newborn exam and I was checked on by nurses frequently. They took my vitals, and helped me latch him. I stayed the full 12 hours and took a shower before bringing him home to meet his great, great aunt. We were all in love with him and my family was amazed to see birth unfold on its own timeline.

Baby Luca, buckled into his car seat, gets ready to go home after his birth.

My postpartum follow up was just as good as my prenatal care. Theresa personally called me to debrief my birth 2 days later. I fell so deeply in love with labor and birth that I became a certified doula and lactation counselor after my son turned 2. My birth story is by far my favorite story to tell and I have no doubt that The Midwife Center was the best place for me to be. There is not a single person here who doesn’t care deeply about their patients.

View more photos from Emily's birth by Golden Lotus Doula Services (Lisa Byerly) below: