Christian UC: Unassisted Childbirth

The Unassisted Birth of Josiah David

When I found that we conceived, Paul knew that we had to do this baby on our own without the help of a "professional" birth attendant, Paul never doubted this was the perfect will of God.

April 28th, six days before my due date, I wanted to get my uterus ready for labor so I took some black cohosh tincture. It gave some mild contractions but not anything major and very far apart so I felt it was safe to take a dropperful under the tongue every hour for four hours. I stopped the cohosh and went to bed. The next morning was Sunday and I woke with some strong contractions and started to shed some of my mucus plug which for me always means labor will start within a day. I had contractions sporadically through the day and we went for a good walk to help make some progress. I got a good nap just in case it happened that night, even though I knew I was not really wanting the baby to come until May, 2 days away so I was not in true labor, probably because of that. We were anxious to know just what was going on so that if labor were to start soon we didn't want Paul to go to work the next day. Paul checked me and I was dilated to 2, which I had been for over a week.

Monday came and even though I had a few contractions I was still clearly not in labor. Paul went to work disappointed (he was looking forward to taking off). Later that day Paul asked if we were going to have the baby tonight, I said I didn't know. Paul: "Well aren't you taking your cohosh? I don't want to have to go to work tomorrow":-) So I submissively took my cohosh as per instructions to bring on labor in my book Wise Women Herbal. I had a real peace about the birth now knowing that May the first was only the next day! We had a really peaceful air in the house that evening. We listened to a tape by Michael Pearl on "Authority Praying" while I made supper and Paul sat at the kitchen table with his Bible open (the girls were quietly playing) and it ministered to my spirit encouraging me about my prayers for this baby and birth. We put the girls to bed, and we did another thing that helps labor progress, which we can call baby dancing :-)!! We got to sleep around 10:30 or so and at 12:23 I woke up with a real contraction!!

I timed the contractions at about 13 and 11 minutes apart. I got up to use the toilet and felt I'd really benefit from an enema. I did that and my contractions got stronger and closer. I decided to take a hot bath and called out to Paul to wake up and start timing my contractions. He sleepily agreed to this. Every time I'd get one I'd call out the time and he'd say OK.

I asked him after a while how for apart they were and he, half-asleep, said something like "Oh, sorry. I forgot" then "OK, I'm getting up now". He started downstairs to make himself some coffee asked if I was ok and if I needed anything. I told him to get a gatorade for me and take the scissors to boil, knowing I wouldn't let him go back down once things got intense. I had lots of good contractions in the tub and put my leg out over the bathtub to feel more open and relaxed. I would focus on totally relaxing before another contraction hit and that allowed the contractions to do their work and open me up. If I fought back a contraction I sensed it did not make much progress. They got harder. I got out of the bath and walked around. I had to keep using the toilet. Paul checked me and said I was soft and 4 centimeters. I was hoping I was further along because 4 could last all night and I wasn't sure I could last all night:-0!

I took another bath and got out sooner because I was too hot, and paced back and forth in the bathroom. Now Paul was getting things seriously ready. I squatted by the tub then held on to the sink during contractions, Paul came then to offer comfort, sensing by my moaning that things were getting along. I held onto his neck and let my bottom loose for a contraction and told him I loved him. He suggested I climb onto the bed so he could check me again, and the baby's heart rate with the doppler. I got on the bed we bought with this birth in mind and complained how uncomfortable it was (ha) and something about the hospital, drugs and why do I keep having babies if it hurts so much slipped out of my mouth. (Ok, I knew that this meant I'd lost it and was in transition-I just didn't want to realize it at the time:-))

My back hurt as the baby moved into birth canal so Paul rubbed St. Johns Wort oil into it. It felt sooo good! He gloved up and said "Ok,OH!OK! There is the head." I was so relieved he didn't have to check me cause I was begging to go potty again and didn't want to be checked. Then I knew it was nearly over! My legs were shaking so I pushed them against Paul's shoulders that helped some, but I like them to be held tight. This time he couldn't do that since he was ready to catch, rubbing olive oil and supporting my perineum. I got a pain in my leg but it went away as soon as I prayed. In fact, I remember every little care I gave to Jesus- He just carried me through it or took it away! Paul said with the next contraction to give a little push, so I did. Then everything was peaceful and I got to rest a few minutes. I focused on relaxing, telling Paul how much I loved him and how thankful I was that he married me. I wanted this baby to be born in an atmosphere of love.

I told the baby how much we wanted him and welcomed him to come. Also praising the Lord, and thanking Him for all this, I totally let go and said aloud that they were good. They were opening me up just like a flower to bring forth my baby. Paul said on this next contraction to give a little push so I did. As soon his head was out I asked Paul if there was a cord there and he said "He is not out far enough". I felt down there and asked "What's this?" Paul said "That's his ear!! LOL

As I wiggled his ear I looked down and his head was half out facing my right thigh and I had to push him out more (this was all really quick, I didn't have him half way out very long). His head (14cm) came and then I had hardly any pushing urge but had to push his big body out (his shoulders were 15cm) all by myself w/out pushing urge. He was not coming out quick enough so I offered to get up and turn thinking we had shoulder dystocia. Instead Paul prayed "Jesus help him come out" and right then my baby slid out on his own! Praise God!

I'll never forget the surprise in Paul's voice as he said "Barbara, it's a BOY!" and then I said "Oh, Josiah you're here!" Paul immediately placed him on my tummy. He was purplish and wonderfully wet and sweetly sleeping and not breathing for a couple seconds. I asked "Why isn't he crying?" and Paul came beside us and I could tell he was a little concerned. I heard him talking to Jesus while I lifted Josiah to my mouth to suction him. He didn't like being waked like this. He wailed, we rejoiced!! He pinked up really quickly. He was born at 2:54. It took just a bit over two hours of labor. I cut his cord until after the placenta. He weigh weighed 9lbs 15oz! We were in love with this baby and more in love with each other! We could not have asked for a more perfect birth!

Thank you Jesus!

Barb

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