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Birth Stories
Anna Joy Roberson’s Birth-DayOur estimated delivery date was 10/16/03 (a Thursday). Mike, Levi (then 2 ½ yrs old) and I spent the evening walking through Home Depot and Meijer. I had been having lots of Braxton-Hicks and it felt good to think something might actually be happening. We went home about 10pm and slept peacefully all night. That would be the last night for a while. Friday, 10/17, Levi went to daycare and my mom and grandma walked me all over town. They were determined to get things moving. I had been feeling great all through the pregnancy but was just ready to move on! That evening I made supper for Mike and Levi and didn’t feel much like eating. By 9pm the Braxton-Hicks contractions were coming frequently. Started making notes of the frequency and noticed that by 11pm they were between 3-10 minutes apart. Not at all painful, but certainly noticeable. We went to bed about 11:30. At 3am I woke quite suddenly because the “practice” contractions were no longer practice. Got up about 3:30 and ate something and walked around just to make sure it was the real thing. Sure enough, contractions continued. Called Patrice a little before 4am. Spent the next few hours in bed with Mike holding me as I breathed through contractions. Again, not terribly painful, but I could tell they were quite different. My parents and Mike’s parents arrived about 8am. Grandpas were going to bum around town together while Grandmas stayed here to help/watch. Patrice arrived about 8:15 and things were just moving along. Levi mimicked me in my different laboring positions. Thought it was great fun! Spent much of the labor standing/leaning over tables or chairs. Dozed a little between contractions while sitting in the computer chair. It all seemed quite bearable and peaceful. Tried eating a little sliced turkey and pears about 1:45pm but didn’t get much down. At that point I was still visiting with everyone between contractions. I felt really good. At 2pm I was laboring in the recliner, using the arm rests as support. I was very shaky all of a sudden and wondered if that was transition. 8 minutes later during a contraction I felt a wonderful relief of pressure. My water had broken - while still in the chair! Spent a few more minutes sitting on a blue pad which, unfortunately, hadn’t been there before. I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom. Patrice and Barb helped me from the chair and Patrice commented that I was walking more like a woman who was about to have a baby. Hooray!!! After laboring on the toilet for a few minutes I slowly made it to the bedroom. I was feeling a little worried that I wouldn’t know what to do when my body was ready to push. Patrice and Lori and Barb were so encouraging. I positioned myself on my hands and knees about 2:45pm. After a few minutes it became exceedingly clear EXACTLY what it felt like to need to push. Oh, that felt really great to be making such progress! The warm compresses were wonderful. My mom and mother-in-law watched from the doorway, Mike was on the bed with me, Levi was napping, and Patrice, Lori and Barb were doing their thing. My dad and Mike’s dad were back by this time and stood outside the bedroom window listening through the air conditioner. It was kind of nice to be on my hands and knees because I was able to focus on the wall or the pillow in front of me and not be distracted by people’s faces or objects in the room. I kind of just centralized all of my energy and strength on myself. Lori encouraged me that I could roll over if I wanted to, but this position felt perfect. After every contraction I was able to completely relax, almost near a light stage of sleep. It was so peaceful. My arms and legs didn’t get tired at all. After a bit of pushing Patrice helped me see through a mirror. That little hairy head was so close to being born! I tried to breathe through as much of the pain as I could but still push. I really didn’t want to tear. I was also trying not to be too noisy and wake up Levi! A few hollers of “Push, Becky!” later, that little head was out! I touched her head and commented that one would never think it was so soft by the way it felt coming out. Everyone laughed. TWO FULL MINUTES passed between her head being born and another contraction to deliver her body. During that time my body was so relaxed. She was making soft crying noises and everyone was just wiggly with anticipation. Anna Joy made her entrance into the world at 3:37pm. After a few minutes of post-delivery activity, Levi was awakened from his nap and joined Mike and I with Anna on the bed. He was so proud and amazed with his baby sister. We had made apple pies earlier in the week and saved them for Anna’s birth-day, so by 4:15, we were all enjoying a big slice of pie. Notes on VBAC: After my son’s labor and delivery, I did a lot of reading, praying, and soul searching. I knew that my transport during labor and eventual C-section was the right choice for us at that time, but we also knew that my body was totally capable of delivering vaginally. The rewards of Anna’s labor and delivery have so overwhelmed me. I believe Anna’s peaceful entrance into this world has played a tremendous part in her content personality, as opposed to Levi who, after 31 hours of labor, an emergency transport and C-sec, seemed entirely put-out with his arrival and screamed about it for 9 months! 
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Abram Jacob Morse's Birth-DayEven though I had a successful home birth with a positive experience the first time around, I was not confident about another home birth early in my pregnancy. My biggest fear was another long labor, as my first one took three days. I was very honest about these feelings with the midwives and my obstetrician. Patrice provided a lot of reassurance and my obstetrician supported my desire to have a home birth. As the pregnancy progressed, my confidence in a homebirth grew – I knew I could physically handle labor and delivery again; I had the best midwives attending the event; and my doctor continued to support my decision. I had contractions on and off all day February 29. I drank extra raspberry leaf tea, went for a bumpy ride in the truck and even took a walk outside. There was nothing going on, however, that was worth calling Patrice about. I woke up around 1:15 am on March 1 (officially one week past my due date!) with contractions. I tried to go back to sleep but the contractions were 7 minutes apart and bothersome. I got up and finished the last few pages I had left of the book I borrowed from Patrice, Active Birth, and then did some laundry. My husband, Kevin, and son, Isaac, were both sleeping peacefully. I ate a bowl of cereal and then kept busy with light housework and getting things ready for the birth. My contractions were getting stronger and eventually I decided it was time to get into the water to find a little relief from the contractions. Around 4:30, I woke my husband to have him help me get in the hot tub outside (my belly made it hard to get in gracefully) and to let him know my labor had started. Kevin asked what he could do and if I needed anything. I told him to just let me be, as there was nothing anyone could do for me. He stayed inside to try to sleep a little and to get more items out and ready for the birth while I labored and progressed in the hot tub. It started to rain but I didn’t mind. The hot tub was awesome for labor and I wanted to be nowhere else. The jets provided massage, the warm water made me feel weightless, and the rain cooled my face. I was outside and felt free to make all the strange sounds I wanted with each contraction. I enjoyed being alone for that time to focus on progressing and to allow my body to do its work in preparation for birth. Kevin came out to check on me every so often and I finally told him to call Patrice around 6 am. She asked Kevin how far apart my contractions were and he didn’t know. He hung out with me by the hot tub after that call to offer his support and sympathy and to get totally soaked by the rain. My contractions were coming steady and they were not showing signs of letting up. When we determined that the pains were coming 2 minutes apart, my husband was getting anxious and wondered why the midwives weren’t there yet. I reminded him that I have a reputation for long labors and not to worry. Kevin called Patrice again at 7:15 and she had everyone on their way. We decided to keep our 5 year-old, Isaac, home from school for the day. I wanted him present to welcome the baby, too. It was up to him if he wanted to see the actual birth. We told him he could be around mom but he could go play whenever he wanted. He came out to the hot tub around 7:30 with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles umbrella. He wanted to know if the baby was coming today and then proceeded to chat about the rain and his umbrella. The midwives showed up before 8:00. Our plan was to labor in the hot tub outside and birth in the AquaDula that was set up in the living room. They suggested I move inside and I didn’t argue. I got in the birthing tub and requested they check me around 9:00. Patrice was able to check me in the water, much to my relief, as I did not want to leave the comforts of the tub. I was elated when Patrice told me I was a 9! My fear of another long labor was NOT going to be realized!! Soon after being checked, I started to feel pushy with the contractions. I reminded Kevin to get the camera and it was amusing to see him scurrying about the house in search of it. He needed help setting it up to record. When Kevin gave me the camera, I had no idea what the message on the screen meant and just started pushing buttons, wondering if the camera was going to miss the birth. We got it set up in plenty of time, however. I watch the DVD of the birth and the footage confirms why I chose to have only the midwives, Kevin, Isaac and the cat present. Nature makes me a noisy one during birth. I remember letting out sounds and groans as I felt the contractions rise and fall. I realized the noises did not make the pain go away but, then again, I wasn’t too worried about being a lady at the time. As the contractions grew more intense, so did my noises. When Isaac came up from playing in the basement, he reported, “Mom, you’re being really loud. I can hear you over my video game downstairs.” I was able to moan and push while on my knees with Kevin supporting me, out of the tub and in a chair in front of me. Clutching my husband’s hands or wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I would raise up out of the water slightly as I would bear down with contractions. I changed positions to my side and pushed, as well. I was amazed at how easy it was to move about in the water, even at that point in delivery. Both Kevin and I had felt the baby’s head but Isaac only looked. There was lots of dark hair on this baby! I moved back to my knees because it seemed like I made the best progress in that position. It was hard to breathe through the contractions to allow stretching, however. At 10:23 the head was born and the notes say the cord was at the baby’s neck. Patrice moved the cord down the baby’s body without me even knowing anything occurred. Once the head was born, I could not fight the last urge to push and it seemed like the baby just slipped right out. Patrice brought the baby’s head up out of the water and I raised my leg above the cord and baby to flip over. I sat on my bottom, up to my shoulders in the water and Patrice placed the baby at my chest. I glanced quickly to make sure the arms, legs, fingers and toes were all there. Then I had to know if I had a second son or my first daughter. “It’s a boy, Isaac! You have a brother!” I exclaimed, spreading the baby’s legs for everyone else in the room to see. Isaac was so excited because he had prayed for a brother for so long and he told me all through the pregnancy that it was a brother. “I knew it, mom!” was his reply and, without skipping a beat he added, “Now you’re going to have to get a girl cat because there’s way more boys in this house than girls.” Kevin and I were overjoyed to be the proud parents of another baby boy. I was so glad the baby was born healthy and in disbelief that this baby came in 9 hours! The second baby really DOES come faster than the first.
March 1, 2004: Kirsten, Barb and Patrice pose with another healthy homeborn baby, Abram Jacob Morse. back to topAva Moon Renna's Birth-DayThe labor and birth was amazing. It was much better that I ever expected. I had scattered light contractions throughout the day on the 15th starting after my appointment with Patrice. I wasn't actually even sure they were contractions, but I assumed they were because I had been bleeding since the 13th (we weren't ever sure, I guess, if it was bloody show or low lying placenta tearing away.) I decided to go to bed and make it with a plastic sheet just in case, then no contractions for a couple hours. Finally at 3 am I woke up and started having more major contractions and woke up Mike at 3:30 to call Patrice and Mike's sister to watch Violet. I stayed in the bathroom until 5:00 when Patrice arrived for fear of peeing all over. Sometime between 4 and 5 I think my water broke. I ate a little but then contractions started getting bad. I sat at the edge of the bed breathing and closing my eyes just waiting for things to get really bad since my previous labor was 15 hours and very painful with hip and back pain. This labor was all in my abdomen. Patrice checked me at 5:38 and I was 5 cm., by 6:10 I was feeling nauseated but never did throw up. I just remember thinking that it was starting to be really hard labor and preparing to deal with it for a long time when I felt myself start pushing at 6:25. Strange since I was still sitting up. Patrice and Barb prepared the bed and I laid on my side and pushed a few more times. I was surprised to hear Ava making noises with only her head and upper body out and that she was already out. Patrice then told me I could wait for another contraction or just open my legs to get her all the way out. So I opened my legs laying on my back and she slipped out. Violet got to see her baby sister born too. She was born at 6:36 am. 7 lbs, 15 oz, 21 inches long. back to topPaul Henry Olson's Birth-DayI awoke at 5:00am having contractions & thought this might finally be it! They kept happening so I timed them at 5 minutes apart & called Patrice at 6:30 am to let her know this was the day! I called Andy at work to let him know & he arrived home at 7:30. The birthing pool was set up in the kitchen and he began filling it. Patrice and Barb arrived around 8:30 am. The kids were all upstairs playing quietly, waiting to meet their baby brother. My contractions were getting more productive, I was leaning against the wall & breathing through them & would sit on the toilet through them too. My mom came at 9:30 to video birth & help with kids, Andy went to catch a nap. Contractions getting more uncomfortable - wanting to know how dilated I am - I get into pool at 11:00. WOW! That took the edge off. 11:30 Patrice checks me for dilation - 7cm. Back in the pool & getting more uncomfortable & wondering if I was getting close to pushing. The sensation of being in water during labor was "different" for me; comfortable as in taking the edge off, yet difficult, to feel like I was in a productive position for giving birth. I needed Andy to get up, it was getting close (11:45). By 12:20 it was time to push. I was semi-sitting/laying with Andy supporting me under my arms. (He was outside of pool.) Pushing was extremely hard for me because I felt like I was on my back, which I know is not the best position to be in, yet I didn't feel like I could get into a better position either. I was just trying to focus on letting my body relax & "open" to get his head born. His head was born & I hoped the kids would get down the stairs in time to see the birth. I gave another push & out he came! I opened my eyes & all of the girls were there with excitement all over their faces! After 4 girls, a boy! They all gathered around to meet their new brother. Baby Reed's Birth-DayMy water broke at about 1:30 a.m. I was surprised at how much it gushed. The thought that ran through my head was, if that much fluid is coming out that must mean that the babies head is not very low and this is going to take a long time. I wasn't having any pains and the fluid was clear. I called Patrice and let her know, she told me to put on one of the adult diapers and go back to bed and try to get some more sleep and call her in the morning. She told me the contractions should start within a couple of hours. I went back to bed but I didn't sleep. I let Art sleep until about 2:30 a.m. He didn't get any more sleep after that. About 3 a.m. I started having what felt like mild menstrual cramps about 10 min. apart. About 3:30 a.m. they were getting stronger and were about 5 min. apart. We decided to get up and set up the birthing tub. I wasn't much help after a little bit, because the contractions were getting a lot stronger and closer together. Up to this point I had been walking around trying to help with the tub. Sometimes I would go kneel on the floor in front of the couch and lean onto through the contractions. I had a lot of pain in the very low back. Sometime between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. the contractions were so strong, I felt nauseated and tried to make it to the bathroom. I vomited on the way and slipped and fell. What a mess! I got in the shower to get cleaned up. Art called Patrice and my sister Deb. The contractions were about 2 min. apart and very strong. I went back to leaning on the couch. Meanwhile Art was filling the tub but I used too much hot water in the shower and the water heater wasn't keeping up, so he was boiling pots of water on the stove. Deb arrived about 5:00 a.m., I think. She rubbed my back to try to help with the back pain. I told her I wasn't having fun. That is pretty much where I stayed until Patrice arrived at about 6:00 a.m. She checked the baby's heart rate and it was doing good. At about 6:30 a.m. I told her I didn't like that position anymore. She suggested that I go to the bathroom, so I did, then I just stood in the doorway not moving and Patrice suggested that that I just breathe with the contractions. That felt a little better than wincing with the pain. I stayed in the bathroom alternating between standing and sitting on the toilet until about 7:00 a.m. when the pains felt different (sharper?) and there was a bloody show. Patrice asked me if I wanted her to check the dilation. She told me to come into the living room, on the mattress on the floor, when I felt like I could. I waited until after the next contraction. I felt like pushing, but I knew it had to be too soon. When Patrice checked me I was fully dilated. I was very surprised. Patrice asked me if I wanted to get in the tub because it was ready now, but I didn't want to move. Patrice said I could push anytime I wanted. I pushed with each contraction. It felt a lot better to be pushing. When the head started to crown, Patrice told me to blow through the contraction when I felt it burning or if she asked me to. When the baby was born to the eyebrows it seemed like a long time before I felt the urge to push again. When the baby was born, at 7:52 a.m. Patrice put her on my chest immediately. She didn't take a breath right away and she was pale. I wasn't worried at all, maybe I should have been, but I was confident it was okay because the umbilical cord was still attached. Patrice and Lori rubbed her and suctioned her nose, because she had a bowel movement as she was being born. She started breathing without any problems. Lori said the reason she didn't breath right away could be because she as born so fast or the cord could have been compressed, it was wrapped around her a couple of times. All through the pregnancy I was worried about the labor, but the birth experience was exactly what I had hoped for. It was perfect. No rips or tears. Only about 4 hours of labor and a beautiful baby girl. Simeon Robert Swanson's Birth-DayI had expected to go post-dates as I usually have. But my water broke 2 days before my due date. I had a very few, mild contractions that night & next day. My husband & I went to sleep the evening my water broke & worked on filling the birth tub in the wee hours of the morning. The next day I picked some beans, got things ready, & "pottered" about. Napped as well. At about 3 pm, contractions began to get my attention, but were 20 min. apart. The got stronger around 8 pm & 5-10 min. apart. This was good as my 3 youngest were getting to bed. Our boys went to bed about 9:30 & around 11 pm the contractions - though still not closer that 5-7 min., felt more intense. I wondered whether to call Patrice - I was afraid to get her to our home & have everything fizzle out. But, I decided to call & let her know what was going on. Be the time she arrived (only a few minutes later), I had 3 more contractions, & asked if I could get in the tub. She said I could try & see how things went. I got in- (heavenly!) & had 1 regular contraction & then a "pushy" one. It was amazing how perfectly timed it all was! Patrice, Barb, & Kirstin let me labor alone (which I prefer) & could hear when I was getting ready to deliver. Pushing (my most trying part of labor) was helped by the water in the tub so much! It took a long while to push his whole head out (It came inch by inch) & I was hoping his body would slide right out...which it didn't quite do, either! But, as intense as the pushing was - it was bearable. Simeon was born at last & after some suction & rubbing, did very well. (He started off a little floppy. It was a hard journey for him too!) I just shut my eyes & thanked God for his Mercy to us in giving us this healthy boy & a safe birth. Home is the place for a normal birth! I can't even begin to describe the differences from a hospital birth. What a joy & delight to be in our own home & to know the midwifes were there with their knowledge to help us, not to "manage" our birth. * As a note- healing from this birth has been great! No cuts or tears & very little bleeding. Everyone is more comfortable afterwards & settled in than with a hospital birth as well. back to topPaul James Troyer's Birth-DayI awoke at 2:00 am feeling the first contractions. Waited an hour then woke David and soon called Patrice. Nothing serious just to let her know. Barb was here at 8:40 to check things out & left again. Heather was here for awhile & got me situated sitting backwards on a chair with David rubbing my back. Contractions still 5-7 minutes apart, so I could rest well in between. Was feeling a little pushy at 1:00 pm & Patrice was soon here. Barb & Heather came sometime later. Was dilated 6-7 cms. at 1:30. Stayed on chair till 2:40 then moved to bed. Contractions still 4-6 min. apart. Awhile later I go up again, used bathroom and moved around, then back to bed again. After pushing for approx. 2 hours our baby boy was born! back to topBenjamin Peter Wilson's Birth-DayI went into labor the evening of Aug. 16th. We ate a late supper, rushed the kids over to grandma & grandpa Wilson's for the night and waited. I felt rushed & tense & was glad to have quiet in the house. Contractions were about 10 min. apart, but I was up straightening & cleaning the house. I had to tell the midwives when I had a contraction. By late evening, things slowed down & I went upstairs to bed to rest. Everything slowed down & then eventually quit, so when we decided the midwives should go back home, I wanted to cry because I was so disappointed that still nothing was happening. (I was already 10 days overdue!) It was hard to let them go, but a good decision. Not until 5:30 am or so did anything happen. I was able to sleep well once they left & woke up in the early morning rested but knowing this was the day. Contractions had started up around 6:00 or 7:00, being more consistent and harder. Not hard enough to keep Pete & me from enjoying a relaxed, quiet breakfast together, as well as a nice walk down the road. I hoped the walk would help pick things up (it did) & every now & then I had to stop because contractions were now stronger. I called Patrice to come soon after our walk & Patrice & Laurie showed up a little after lunchtime. Now I was standing up and stopping whenever I had a contraction (every 7-10 min.) About 2:00 pm, I moved by the pull-out bed in the living room. I was now on my knees leaning over the bed (my usual position the last hour!). Contractions were 4-7 min. apart, strong, and then I felt like pushing at 2:30. I was very thirsty & felt light headed. Pete quickly got me a drink, while I moved on the bed on hands & knees. This was the first time I actually could understand how some women hyperventilate during labor. When I first felt pushy (& just before), I thought I might pass out. It may have been because it was a hot summer day. My water broke 2 min. after feeling pushy; the baby's head was born 3 min. later. Pushing was intense, but just when I needed a reprieve, my body gave me a break to catch my breath & build up strength again. At 2:36, Benjamin Peter Wilson was born, along with an extremely thick umbilical cord! back to topSydney's Birth-DayI'm not even sure where to start. How about the beginning? Michel and I were mortified when we found out we were having a kid. A living, breathing human we would be responsible for for the rest of our lives. I just have to describe what a blessing everybody at Full Circle was during the most stressful time in our marriage, (with or without the pregnancy). Before Sydney's birth both of us had avoided the medical scene with much success; no broken bones, serious illnesses, or close family members with any problems requiring hospitals or regular medical intervention. After her birth we were tossed into it. Of course, (and without complaint from us), regular Well Baby visits to the doctor, shots at the Health Department every two months since her arrival, and various sundry doc visits to make sure Mom is healthy. And then there was that little stitch fiasco at the hospital after her birth. How much do you weigh? Uh, I just had a baby. Well, we want to give you antibiotics so you don't get an infection and never heal correctly and re-injure the site and never have a satisfying sex life ever again! ?No. We would really rather. NO. Well, we want to knock you out for the surgery. Why? Because it hurts, your tear is pretty extensive and we feel local just wouldn't be enough. alright. Now, how much do you weigh? Anyway, my point is that if we had gone the typical medical route, (which, because of our sorry financial state would have been entirely paid for by taxpayers), we would be far less educated and far more stressed. You ladies made sure we knew exactly what we were doing, and why; possible effects of every decision; and all this with people who cared, actually really cared. No overhanging clouds of insurance fears, or thoughts of how to make more money on us. Sydney's birth at home with the attendance of midwives was the best decision we ever made. It was a difficult decision to make; crawling out of the box, explaining it to medicalized family members (who still don't understand), choosing the more difficult financial path for us at that time. But now, with the clarity of 20/20 hindsight, we feel even better about it, if that's even possible.? We're still petrified about raising a human, but we avoided all the stress of constantly questioning the wisdom of instinct when we would have disagreed with a doctor, (on numerous points). And we have a truly beautiful package in Sydney, do doubt. -With love and many thanks, Michel, Autumn, and Sydney Seth Michael Roberson’s Birth-day (12/23/06)Contractions started about 5pm on Thursday, December 21st. They started out a very regular 10 minutes apart, but they were certainly not strong. I didn’t even bother to call Patrice because I knew she’d say go to bed and try to rest. I continued to feel them all night long, but I did manage to sleep off and on. I woke up Friday thinking labor would really kick into gear. Mike even fixed up the bed with the plastic and extra sheets. However, as soon as I started moving around, labor all but stopped! I called Patrice because I knew she had scheduled to be out of town most of the day and I wanted to let her know nothing much was happening. I probably only had 2-4 contractions every hour most of the day. The kids went to visit family, while Mike and I spent the day with his parents just twiddling our thumbs waiting! Finally, at around 5, I was going crazy and wanted to get out of the house and be distracted for a little while. I called Patrice so she’d know we were going out. The four of us went to my parent’s house where my entire family was gathering. We ate pizza and played cards; it worked great to keep me from obsessing about the impending delivery. By about 9pm I had to stop the card game every 10 minutes to breathe through my contractions. We kissed the kids goodbye and told them tomorrow they’d get to meet their new baby brother or sister! (I was totally convinced we were having another girl, but even as we walked out the door, Levi was telling us it was going to be his long-awaited brother!) It was about 9:45 when we got home and contractions took a short break. I was walking around the kitchen trying to inspire things to get moving again. One strong contraction and my water broke at 10:45pm. Mike called Patrice again and asked her to come since she had about an hour’s drive. As soon as my water broke, contractions intensified greatly. I sat on the toilet for a bit, but it wasn’t comfortable for long. Mike started the bath for me and I stayed there for about an hour. I’m not especially comfortable in the tub, but it makes me progress so fast. I had lots of strong, long contractions, the kind you know are moving things along! While I was in there, my mom and dad arrived, as did Patrice. I was SO relieved she was here! She heard me moaning during a contraction and said, “Oh, that sounds good, Becky,” in her sweet, soothing way. She puttered around the bedroom getting all the supplies ready, letting me do my thing while Mike held my hand. I got out of the tub at 12:10am and got on my hands and knees on the bed. This wasn’t comfortable for long so I turned over to semi-sitting. Once I did that, my contractions seemed to ease up a bit. I was bleeding a little while on the bed. Mike and my mom held my hands the entire time, Grandma Roberson watching at the bedside and grandpas in the living room. Laurie arrived at about 12:30am, right about the time I started feeling pushy. The baby’s heart rate dropped during one contraction and push and worried me a bit, but it came right back up. I really only pushed about 4 times and then his head was born – oh, did it hurt! I never stopped pushing once his head was born because I wanted him out and now! Seth Michael was born at 12:51am with quite a bit of blood loss and the cord wrapped around his neck. Patrice was concerned about all the blood because this was my third VBAC and the bleeding could have been a sign of major complication. We didn’t know it until I delivered the placenta, but it had probably torn a little when my water broke. I thanked God that my labor was so fast, only two really intense hours, and that Seth was ok. He was a healthy 8 pounds, 4 ounces, 20 ½ inches and not at all the baby girl expected! back to topEliza's Birth StoryI had putzy contractions for a few days and all through my official due date of July 6. I went to bed that night with contractions that quickly became regular, though not painful or real close. Nevertheless I couldn't sleep through them so I got Jessie up at two and we decided to go for a walk. Whoa! That really shifted me into active labor. After that point I never had any contractions that were less than four minutes apart. When we got home I tried everything to see if it was real labor before we called Patrice. Finally convinced, we called her around 5:30 am and I told her that my contractions were really close and steady but that she didn't have to rush over because I thought I had hours to go since they weren't too hard to handle (I had overwhelmingly intense contractions for hours before Theia was born). Patrice said no, she'd better come over right away. Jessie filled the birth tub while we waited. By 7 am Patrice, Barb her associate, and Amanda their intern were all there. I was still feeling very in control, kneeling or rocking through my contractions. By 8 though I felt like I needed some help dealing with them so Jessie and I climbed into the pool (the water felt great!) And Jessie pushed on my back during contractions. All of a sudden my contractions became very intense and I had to moan through a couple. I said to Jessie that I wondered how many more hours I had to go because in my experience with Theia it was about 5 hours of intense misery after about 30 hours of early labor. I saw Patrice and Barb moving their supplies close to the pool and I thought to myself that I must be complaining too much since they obviously thought I was close. Well, they were right. With my next contraction I felt the unmistakable and overwhelming urge to push. I yelled "I have to push!" And everyone sprang into action. Patrice informed me that the head was already trying to crown. Amanda helped me stay in control by breathing through my pushes with me (which was a huge help). After only 8 minutes and three pushes later I felt the head crowning and pushed out the whole body in one effort! Jessie caught her and brought her up out of the water and announced that we had another girl. I was so happy because I really wanted Theia to have a sister since they are so close in age. I couldn't believe it had all happened so quickly and with so little pain! Eliza was 7# 13 oz and 20" long. She was born at 8:32 am on 7-7-07 (that should be easy to remember!). We are so pleased with our homebirth experiences. It is so empowering to give birth naturally with sensitive and very experienced support. I never had any fear throughout either labor because my midwives treated birth like what it is, an exhilarating and perfectly normal process.
Josiah Evert Kortman's Birth-DayWe are tremendously thankful to our Father in heaven for the blessing of our new son, Josiah Evert Kortman, born Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:25pm. He weighed 8lb. 11oz. and measured 21" long. 
Josiah, meaning " God will save", is named after the 16th king of Judah who followed God wholeheartedly despite previous kings who turned away. You can read the story in 2 Kings 22-23. Paul was given the middle name, Evert, in honor of his Grandpa Evert DeVries with whom Paul shares a birthday. Now, we give it to little Josiah Evert, in honor of both his Daddy and his Great-Grandpa.  Dark haired Baby Si (pronounced SIGH) was born at home with only his daddy in attendance. Our midwife, Patrice, assistant midwife Lori, midwife apprentice, Amanda, and my Aunt Vera arrived soon after his speedy entrance into this world. He came quietly and calmly in a planned water birth only a little over 2 hours after letting us know he was coming! Mommy was glad for such a short labor and we are all pleased both Si and Mommy are healthy and strong. Thank you for your prayers! Si's birth certificate will name Paul as the "attending physician"...how special! Alia met her new brother the next morning and immediately wanted to kiss and hold little Si. We have found that only reading books with someone will tempt her away from her big sisterly duties! We hope that the joy we feel in our hearts today finds its way to your hearts as well. The new and improved Kortman Family, Paul, Becky, Alia, & Si
(From Paul) Ok so how does this rate? I caught him and they get the credit? Actually there is no way I could have ever been as confident as I was without knowing that these gifted people were on the way and minutes away. From the Left: Laurie (Attended Josiah's cousin Bethany's birth) Amanda - Holding Josiah (Midwife in training, oh and she gives a phenomenal massage!) Patrice (the midwife of record) back to top Maxwell Wallace Knowlton, April 20, 2008This baby was our 2nd baby and 2nd home birth. Why did you choose to have your baby at home? I wanted to welcome him into the world with all of his family around, including his 5 yr. old brother Felix. I knew my wishes would be respected by the midwives; I felt no pressure, no negativity and had no interventions. Describe your labor and birth. This was my second labor and it went much faster than my first which lasted through two days. I started having mild contractions throughout the day on Saturday which turned into more painful contractions in the evening. I went to sleep about midnight and at 1:30 Sunday morning I got out of bed ¿ I was feeling too much discomfort to sleep. I timed my contractions at 5 minutes apart. I called Patrice at 2:00 AM to get advice on when I should absolutely have her come. I decided to wait until my contractions were stronger (as I knew they would be!). At about 5:30 I called and said she should come. The contractions were very intense and I was just starting to feel like I might want to push. I had a lot of lower back pain which everyone helped me with by putting counter pressure on it. I had consistently strong and painful contractions while Patrice, Barb and Dorothy got things ready. I was hoping to use the birthing tub, but there wasn¿t enough time to get the water warm after it was filled. Instead, they got the bedroom ready. At that point I just wanted to have my baby. My husband, mother and Felix were there. Felix would check in every once in a while to tell me I was doing good and that he loved me. He was also watching a movie in the living room, so he went back and forth. It all seemed very normal to him. About 7:20 AM or so I was beginning to push. I squatted next to the bed so I could rest my head on the bed and I held on to my husband. My water broke while I was pushing. It was such a relief after that and after his head was fully out. Just when I thought I couldn¿t take it anymore his head was out and then the rest of him was out with the next contraction. He was born at 8:00 Sunday morning. He was perfect and beautiful and I was so proud. We spent the rest of the day lounging, cuddling and glowing. What was your favorite part of your baby's birth? Holding him right after he came out- he was still slippery and so pink and warm. I loved looking at how beautiful and perfect he looked and thinking "Wow, I did this! I am amazing." I was also very relaxed to be in my own home. My experience with OB docs made me even more relieved I was able to have my baby at home with women who cared about me, not just the end result. What would you do differently if you had another baby? Not a thing. How can we improve our services? I wish I would have known that the birth tub would take so long to warm up after it was full, but I think my birth went the way it was supposed to. Everything worked out just fine. back to topA Walk in the Park (or, Ingrid's Birth Story)My Labor Day started pretty much like any other day on this babymoon, except I quickly noticed that my contractions were coming with something closer to regularity than they had thus far. But, this being our vacation and already having a busy day planned, I opted to ignore this fact. We had dinner at Panera Bread, throughout which my contractions remained strong and steady at every 8 to 10 minutes. They weren't exactly enjoyable, but I don't think any of our fellow diners had any inkling that I was less than 5 hours from delivery. After that we headed to the pier for a walk. I figured, if I might be in labor, I want to give it a good sporting chance. The pier is a great place for walking, its also a great place to measure the size of your bladder. I swear it shrinks two sizes every time I set foot there. Fortunately there are public restrooms galore all along the boardwalk - its a pregnant woman's paradise. Once walking my contractions quickly intensified and started coming at every 4 minutes or less. Still, the evening was very pleasant, and the contractions hadn't exactly reached the level of intolerability yet, so we pressed on. Eventually I had to stop for the restroom and was stuck in there long enough to make Jessie nervous and to catch the latest installment of a riveting teen drama (Kevin, if you're out there, be assured that Kaitlyn will drop J.D. in a heartbeat if you ever actually, like, commit yourself). After that I figured we'd better get back to the car as soon as possible and get on with my labor in a setting more conducive to childbirth. We reached home by 10 pm, just in time to kiss the girls goodnight. I tried lying down to see if my contractions let up, but they were coming every 2 minutes at that point, no matter what I did. Even though I always feel guilty calling the midwives if I'm not having contractions of the white knuckle variety, I realized that contractions of that frequency should not be discounted no matter what they feel like, so we called the midwives. Barb, who lives closest, arrived at 11:15pm and took my stats and helped Jessie get the birth tub warmed up. Patrice and Amanda had both arrived by 11:45. I was still having unpleasant contractions every two minutes or less, but I came out of our bedroom to greet Patrice and Amanda and stopped to check my email on the way back to our bedroom (Patrice later told me that she thought to herself at that point that maybe I had called too early since I was obviously in no great distress and she couldn't even tell I was having contractions). I then retreated to the bathroom and decided to go through Jessie was exuberant that I managed to deliver on my due date; just barely at 12:07 am! That put to rest all the skepticism of his co-workers over our presumptuous vacation plans. He very much enjoyed sending out the announcement email to his office :). We are so thrilled to be the parents of THREE beautiful girls! I am sure we would have been equally thrilled with a boy, but having all girls really gives one such an air of distinction, I think :). I am so glad that Jessie doesn't have any machismo "need" to have a son to feel complete. He is perfectly happy to be a Daddy to little girls, and he is so good at it! He already went out by himself and bought Ingrid her first outfit. That is a tradition of his; he did it with Theia and Eliza as well.
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