Samantha Grace's Home Birth

My due date came and went with Samantha, just like it did with #2 (Courtney). I decided on day 3 of being over due I would drink some castrol oil.  It wasn't to bad, but it didn't work. I drank more and some contraction started, however they stopped after 8 to 10 hours. I don't recommended the oil, it didn't hurt me but I had contractions for 2 days off and on. I only became more tired.  The contraction finally kicked into high gear around 7pm on 17th.  Lynnette arrived.  Transition time began.

I'm not going to lie, my back labor was painful, but not something you couldn't handle. I had practiced self hypnotises the last 4 months of my pregnancy. This is a must for any mom that is going to go natural.  Women are taught from a very young age that labor equals pain and we are such wimps that we can't handle it.  Well sorry ladies, that's a bunch or S*^#!  Women naturally have a high pain tolerance for this very reason. I had to retrain myself to trust my body. I knew that not many years ago it was very common for birth to be handled at home with midwives and other women.  I knew that I could do this. Now remember this is my third birth. I have had 2 babies in hospital. One with an epidural and one without. Which I think gives me a little experience in knowing about the birth process. I believe it's all in the preparation.  No one would even consider letting a first time driver, drive a school bus full of children.  You need to surround yourself with women that can help you and understand what you are going through.

After my water broke, I knew it was time to start pushing. I was so relieved to be getting to the finish line.  By this time I had been up for almost 24 hours. I pushed Samantha out at 12:01 am on May 18th.  She started crying before I even got her shoulders out.  It was the best sound.  She was posterior (face-up) just like the first two. That explained the back labor, again. It is easier for babies to be anterior (face-down) so that their skull can flex around your tailbone.

After the birth my wonderful midwives, Lynnette and Kim stayed for 3 hours.  I was able to get up and take shower. Something I couldn't do at the hospital because they take your baby to the nursery.  I felt refreshed and ready to try nursing.  I was completely relaxed in my own home. Samantha's birth and the days following were wonderful.  I have posted some G rated pictures.