Alexander's Birth

by Tara M. Sanchez
(Bogota, NJ)

So, I should start this birth story by sharing my first 2 birth experiences. My daughter was born in the hospital after I was induced with pitocin and given an early epidural.

The only time I felt anything relating to the birth was when the OB was stitching my episiotomy.

My son was also born in the hospital after my water broke at home. Once I arrived at the hospital I was given pitocin, although I was contracting well on my own, and eventually given an epidural before the birth.

As my lifestyle changed so did my visions of what my next birth should be like. And so before I was pregnant for a third time I did tons of research on how to make it possible. Pregnancy came easily to me this time, which it hadn't the second time around, and I was seen by my lovely midwife and her assistant from 3 months onward.

I was very adamant of having a water birth at home. I also refused all ultrasound technology: ultrasounds and fetal doppler. We didn't hear the baby's heartbeat until well past 20 weeks because we were patient enough to wait to do it "the old fashioned way". That took tons of patience!!

Since this was my third pregnancy, everyone assumed the baby would come somewhat early, but at 4 days past my "due date" of July 2nd, everyone realized this baby may take all the time he wants to come into our world!

At my 40 week visit my midwife informed me that if the baby didn't come in 3 days, by law, she was required to order me to have a non stress test, which would expose me to all the ultrasound technology I was avoiding my entire pregnancy! My choices were simple, wait 3 days and see if the baby comes.

After the 3 days I could attempt to induce labor at home with castor oil or go to the dreaded doctor's office for testing. She also told me that if they found that the amniotic fluid was low, or any other "problems" I may be pressured into a hospital induction.

These were not options for me.

At 9 PM on July 5th I took 2 tablespoons of castor oil mixed with scrambled eggs (the idea being that if you take the CO with eggs it won't work its laxative magic). At 11 PM my contractions started while watching a movie on the couch. I was instructed to take another 2 tablespoons 2 hours after the first dose, but the contractions were so strong by 11 that I knew my body didn't need a second dose. We tried to lay down in bed around 12 AM, at which time my water broke. Labor was fast and furious from then on. I labored in my bathroom alone while my husband set up the pool and towels and the couch.

When my midwife's assistant arrived it was about 2 AM and I was laboring on my bed experiencing intense back labor. After some time of deep breathing my body started pushing the baby. The rushes were very strong, but I was so comforted being in my own bed, with my midwife and my husband massaging my back and knowing my children were in the room next door sleeping. During my pregnancy I had imagined having my baby in the kiddie pool in my living room in the dark, while my children were sleeping peacefully upstairs...and it was happening!

While still on my bed my husband and I were able to feel the baby's head with our hands! I walked carefully downstairs as my midwife arrived (she later told me that she had no idea I would labor so quickly) and threw off my night gown and got into the water. I had always thought I would feel strange about getting naked before the birth and contemplated wearing a tank top or a bra during, but in the moment I was totally empowered and comfortable. It was very liberating. I've heard other mother's who've had waterbirths say that when in labor they relaxed once they got in the water or their contractions were eased by this submersion. I can say that once I got in the water I got lost within myself. I remember feeling the baby's head with my hand again, and then he was rushing out of me.

The best part of my experience with a homebirth was after. I was holding him in the tub, in the darkness, with my husband's arms around me for quite some time. We didn't even check the sex. I was just holding him and keeping him warm. Finally, I lifted him up and saw I had just given birth to my second son. I was then helped out of the tub and laid on my couch, all the while with my baby in my arms, on my chest. He nursed almost immediately all on his own.

We waited for all the blood to reach my baby before cutting the cord, at which time my midwife and her assistant retreated to our kitchen to prepare herbs and the placenta print :) We spent a good hour or so on the couch, uninterrupted before my midwife reappeared to check me and prepare me for my transfer to the bedroom.

Once upstairs and in my bed the baby was out of my arms for the first time! I thought it was amazing that I was the only person to hold him for so long! It was so sweet, I don't think I could ever have it any other way! He was weighted and measured on my bed beside me while daddy took pictures. 8 lbs 12 ozs, 22inches!

Lastly was a shower, with my midwife patiently waiting beside the bathtub asking if I was okay and feeling dizzy about every 30 seconds :) And then breakfast cooked by the hubs! I was in bed, fed and nursing when they left. My children woke up about 7 AM and came to my room to meet their new brother. It was pretty magical for them, falling asleep kissing my belly and waking up kissing a baby! We sat in our bed discussing his name for hours. I suggested the name that came to me when I looked at him for the first time after discovering his gender: Alexander. Everyone agreed <3