The Unassisted Birth of Ryan Alan

June 3rd 2002

We had a baby boy about 2:50 this morning. He's perfect. Red hair. Ethan (5) is so thrilled. He was there for the birth, and ran and immediately woke up Allisyn (3). So she was there just a few minutes later. Ashley (almost 2) slept for a while, but did come in later after hearing all the commotion.

I had the waterbirth that I have always wanted! It was pretty quick. My water broke about 10:30 pm and I decided to go to bed to get as rest as I could. I had been having regular contractions every night for nearly a week, but they would stop come morning. I was grateful to know this was finally it! I slept until about 1:00, and then had to get in the tub. I was about 6 cms when I checked my cervix.

I finally ended up kneeling, and leaning over the side of the tub. Dh was sitting on the bed answering Ethan's questions. Dh said that I said I had to push, and he came over behind me to see what was happening.

Before I knew it, I was pushing out a head. I was afraid of tearing, and I know at one point said, I don't want to tear. But when I pushed, he came out all at once. He kinda shot into the side of the pool (luckily it was soft, right?!) And I grabbed him and sat down. I didn't tear, and not even a skid mark. And there's no swelling. So I'm pretty happy about that. :-)

Anyway, I am truly happy with the birth. My first unassisted. And I will do it next time, too! I really feel great, and I know that Heavenly Father was pleased, and right there with us. I never worried about things like his heartrate, or my blood pressure or temperature. I was really at peace. I did have a hard time handling the contractions right at the very end, but at that point I knew I was in transition and it was almost over.

So, that's it. Not all that exciting, but it's mine, and I'm proud, and I loved it. And what makes me even happier, is I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that Heavenly Father is pleased.

Dh commented that "It was amazing. To see you go through so much pain, and practically torture, but once the baby was there, none of it mattered, and the maternal instinct took over and you picked him up and sat down like nothing had happened." He also commented on what a powerful thing that must be for a mother. I am secretly glad that I got to catch him. It was a wonderful thing for him to come out of me and directly into my arms first.

He weighs 6lbs. 3ozs. and is 19 inches long.

Note: The placenta started to separate within about 15 or 20 minutes. It was the first time it's ever done it on it's own, it was always pulled out of me at the hospital. There was some blood in the water, and so I got out and went to the bathroom, delivered the placenta into a fracture pan, and tied and cut the cord at that point.

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Some afterthoughts on the birth several weeks later.

Not that having a baby is like dying. But in a way, it is. It's totally giving yourself over to something
bigger than you. And with a UC, giving yourself over to the Lord. Letting Him take up the slack, knowing that he's right there with you, and can overcome all. Knowing that He loves you more than you love the baby inside you. I know without a doubt that my Savior was with me when I gave birth to Ryan. Dh was sick, and I was basically on my own. I could feel the Savior's presence so strongly, right there with me. I was able to let go completely for the first time, and let my body work as it was intended. I never felt any fear. There was nothing that worried me. Even tearing. There was momentary hesitation, and I know I said, "I don't want to tear." But that was only a moment. It didn't matter. And I knew that.

I feel very impressed to bear my testimony about a Christ centered birth. If we are in tune to the Spirit, and doing all we can to keep our lives in order, the Lord will be right beside us. Whether we have an unassisted birth or a cesarean. If we do all we can, if we do our very best, if we educate ourselves, and hand the rest to our Savior, He will take it. He will pick up where we leave off. He will complete us, and give us strength. His outcome may be different than what we planned, and if that means a cesarean after we've done everything we can to have a safe peaceful birth, then the Lord knows what is best in our situation, and will hold us in His hand. That is the beauty of a birth that is focused on the Savior. He will guide us through the Spirit to know what we need to do.

I know that our Savior lives. I know that he loves each of us. I know that he wants these precious spirits born into good, loving, homes in a gentle way, with Father and Mother standing by. I know that our Heavenly Mother is especially pleased with us as we strive for these peaceful, loving births. I know that our Father in Heaven is, too. I know that He is blessing us for our efforts.

Mischa

 

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