Madalyn

<---minutes old
has arrived. 3 weeks ago. LOL.

It was an awesome, unassisted homebirth. Yes. We did that on purpose.

Why? Well...it started in NY. There are only two midwives that I found in upstate NY. Neither of which were willing to travel to me. Well crap. That left us with traveling to one of them (not an option) or another hospital birth. I didn't want to do that. While the hospital was perfectly fine, I found that I absolutely disliked the OB's there. That makes things stinky. It's also getting more and more difficult to be able to leave Steph. Her needs are increasing. And her ability to cope is decreasing. There are very few people who are able to care for her.

So. A desire to avoid the Ob's, no desire to deal with the crap surrounding hospital birth and a desire to not have to leave my kids prompted me to research unassisted birth.

I met other women who'd done this, found websites and forums. I discussed it with Justin..since he'd obviously have to be on board. He surprised me by really being game for it. Nervous, yes...but willing...

My history of easy pregnancies, uncomplicated births made the decision easier. We decided to do it. We got a birth kit.

The last minute move to Idaho actually made it even more appealing. While I'd had prenatal care throughout my pregnancy, when we moved, I didn't have my records with me. I also had no insurance. So..the idea of walking into an unknown hospital with no insurance and no medical records of care, with an unknown doctor...less than appealing. Very much so.

Birth day:

I'd been laboring on and off for a couple of days. Normal for me. On the 12th (two days past due! The first time I'd gone ''overdue''), I knew it was birth day. I could feel it. We spent the whole day out, keeping me active, while I labored off and on. We went to walmart and got the girls haircuts. Went to McD's for lunch and playing. Headed home to nap and in the evening, things really picked up. Again, typical for me. I labor stronger at night.

Around 930pm, my water broke during a contraction. I had Justin put the waterproof mattress cover on our bed, and got in the bathtub. I had laid out all the birth equipment (which really isn't that much) earlier in the evening.

The tub was nice, but I got cold quickly, as it's a normal tub and I couldn't get all the way in with my big tummy.

So I got out, and wandered aimlessly between the bed, and the toilet. Nothing really felt comfortable tho, so I just tried to keep moving and resting between contractions.

Things really picked up in intensity rather quickly! Fastest labor to date.

After one particular whopper of a contraction, I sat down on the toilet and the baby descended. I had heard of Fetal Ejection Reflex before..but never experienced it. WOW. Holy.Crap. In previous births, I had always had to make the conscious choice to push along with the urge...but not this time. This time, my body took control and I was just along for the ride! I called Justin, who tried desperately to coax me off the toilet. LOL. I stood up just in time and roared that baby out!

Her daddy cradled her head and she was born! 1235am on the 13th. She was slightly wrapped up in her cord, so I whisked her around and sat back down. After a brief moment, she cried and turned a lovely shade of pink!

After another 15 minutes or so, the placenta came and we cut/clamped the cord.

It was a wonderful gentle birth (except that whole ejection reflex. There is NOTHING gentle about that. WOW).

I showered and dressed, we wrapped Maddie up and went to bed. Heavenly. 6.2 lbs, 19 1/4 inches long.

In the morning, the kids wandered in like usual and got to immediately meet their sister! They are all in love and think she hangs the moon. :D

I took Maddie in for a check up that monday. She is perfect.

Yes. We would do it again. At the very least, midwives are plentiful here so we will always homebirth from now on. It was amazing.