Reading Every Positive Birth Story Helped Stacie During Her Natural Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I had prodromal labor for six weeks, so I wasn’t sure until two hours before birth. I started having to bend over and breathe through the contractions or lay down on my bed when they came.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Trusting that my body would be able to do it on its own. This was my fourth baby, but I had interventions with my first three each during the 37-week mark. Once my due date came and went, I was beginning to worry that I’d have to be induced. She was born 40w4d without any intervention! I’m so thankful for that.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

I read every home birth story I could on this website and read positive stories on blogs.

What surprised you about your birth?

That my baby was breech the night before she was born. My midwife was able to flip her back, but in the middle of the night, I was convinced she flipped to breech again which was causing the contractions. Turns out, it was just active labor! She weighed 9 lbs 14 oz! My largest baby prior was only 7 lbs 3 oz, so I was not prepared for that. I’m amazed a baby that size could flip so close to delivery and that I didn’t tear.

Pray for anything that may be a stumbling block for you and believe that you can do it. Going natural IS natural and you can totally do it!!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I breathed through the contractions while trying to relax my body. My husband would rub my lower back and remind me to breathe. I visualized my baby moving down with each contraction and I knew that the more intense they were getting, the closer I was to meeting her (didn’t know the gender at the time!).

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

Absolutely amazing! I couldn’t believe she was here, that she was so chunky, that we had our dream home birth, that my husband managed to juggle our other three small children, and that it went so quickly! The prodromal labor was frustrating but made the active labor incredibly short and doable. I feel incredibly blessed.

What did you name your baby, and why?

Remi Harriet. We loved the name Remi with our last baby, but he was a boy. We decided if we had a girl this time that we would name her that. We chose Harriet to name her after Harriet Tubman. My husband and I were inspired by how Harriet allowed God to lead her as she rescued many slaves. We wanted our daughter to be lead by God in confidence as well!

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Pray for anything that may be a stumbling block for you and believe that you can do it. It felt so natural to be setting up my bedroom with my husband in between contractions with my kids in the next room. No one was afraid and it was incredibly peaceful. Going natural IS natural and you can totally do it!!