A Positive Birth Story

Every mother knows what it's like to be out in public looking very pregnant. Pregnancy is a great conversation starter! Sometimes those conversations are encouraging and uplifting, and sometimes they really aren't.

Whether you ask for it or not, you'll probably run into women who immediately tell you their scary, traumatic birth stories. I always hated that. Every first-time mom is already nervous enough about labor, so there's no need to tell her everything that can go wrong.

But remember, for every bad birth story, there are so many more good ones! 

If you're feeling nervous about labor, or if you just need a little encouragement, here's my birth story. I wrote it down for my daughter to read so she could feel encouraged for her own labors. Now all of you can read it and be encouraged, too. 

Before Labor

Leading up to birth, I was nervous because you were my first baby. But I remember my midwife reassuring me that my body was made to do this. She even told me the story of an African woman who gave birth in a tree during a monsoon! Oddly enough, that story was very comforting, and I tried to remember it whenever I got scared of labor. As my due date approached, I found myself becoming more excited about meeting you, holding you, and finally not being pregnant than I was afraid of the birth itself.

A few weeks before birth, I made a deal with you. I said, “Why don’t you come on Saturday, March 18?” Of course, this was two weeks and five days before your due date. Every night I would say, “Come on Saturday.” I didn’t tell your dad about this little ritual, but after a few days he suddenly said, “I think the baby will be here on Saturday!”

It was a funny coincidence.

The weeks went by, and I showed no signs of going into labor by Saturday. On Friday night, I said to you and Dad, “I guess we won’t have a baby by Saturday.”

The Start of Labor

At 2:00 AM on Saturday, March 18, I went into labor.

I wasn't expecting it because I had shown no signs of early labor the day before. I woke up needing to go to the bathroom and soon experienced a painful contraction. After returning to bed, another contraction came not long afterward.

I woke up your dad, and we knew labor was on.

During Labor

The midwives always told me to go back to sleep when labor starts because it usually takes a long time. I fully expected that to be the case. Instead, my contractions started getting closer together very quickly.

Before long, we realized we needed to leave because we had a 45-minute drive to the hospital with an attached birth center. During the drive, labor progressed rapidly, which is unusual for a first baby.

When we arrived, the nurse told me that I probably still had a long way to go. I had a feeling she was wrong. When the same nurse came to do my cervical exam, she said I was already 7 cm dilated! 

I couldn't believe it!  I felt encouraged. We had expected a long labor, but suddenly it felt like I was much closer to meeting you than I had imagined.

The Birth Moment

Dad started running the water because I planned to have a water birth. The moment I climbed into the birthing pool, it felt amazing. The warm water brought such relief.

The nurse checked your heart rate and said it was very strong, which was good to hear. Shortly afterward, she left to call the midwife, who had not yet arrived, and the doctor had been called away to the emergency room.

Even though the room suddenly felt much emptier, I wasn't worried. Labor was moving so quickly that I knew you were almost here. It was nice to have the room to ourselves in a way; it was very quiet and peaceful.

While sitting in the birthing pool, I could actually feel the top of your head, which was incredible. I pushed again, and you came flying out in one go! You were the only baby of mine that did that; your sisters needed a few more pushes to get their shoulders out. I suspect that was because you were born with a broken collarbone, which is relatively common for babies and isn’t serious.

You were born!

You floated briefly at the bottom of the tub, still curled in the fetal position. Dad and I reached for you at exactly the same time and lifted you onto my chest.

You had so much hair, which neither of us was expecting.

Later, we learned that you had a broken collarbone, which is actually a fairly common birth injury and usually heals very quickly in newborns. Looking back, that may have contributed to how quickly you made your entrance into the world.

First Moments With Baby

It was amazing. You cried softly in my arms while I held you for the first time. Then your dad cut the cord, and the nurse took you for a quick check-up while I had a shower.

You were born at 5:30 AM after only three and a half hours of labor.

While I showered, Dad stayed with you. He just kept saying, “Hi.” It was funny and incredibly sweet. We were both so amazed that you were finally here. My little partner. You were so tiny, and you had the most beautiful, round head. 

After birth, I couldn't sleep. I felt completely awake, alert, and full of energy.  I just wanted to watch you. Of course, you just slept, and it was very entertaining even though you weren't doing anything.

Recovery & Reflection

We had the most amazing delivery. No interventions, no complications, and a labor that lasted less than four hours. I still can't believe you were born on Saturday, just like I had hoped.

Obviously, labor is painful; that's why it's called labor, but that is only part of the story. Birth is so much more than contractions and discomfort. It was the moment I finally met you!

After months of waiting, wondering, and imagining what you would be like, I was finally holding you in my arms. Looking back, the pain was temporary, but the joy of that day remains one of the most special memories of my life. It was the beginning of our journey together, and I will never forget it.