Birth Story Of carson scott

I'm writing my birth story, in hopes that it will inspire at least one other momma. <3

Carson Scott Hensley

Born at home

5/1/21 2:53 am

9 lb 9 oz

23 in

I was overdue....At 40 wks and 6 days, in an attempt to stimulate contractions, I took a teeny weeny bit of castor oil, got on the birthing ball and used my breast pump. My water broke at 10:30 pm! No contractions yet, but I knew it wouldn't be long until I met my baby.

I called my family and my midwife (Emily), swept the floor, and tidied up while I excitedly waited for labor to progress. Emily arrived about 12:30 am.

Then the waves began. The pain was intense, but welcome. I knew each one was getting me closer to meeting my baby. I was free to move around my house and standing, leaning over my bathroom counter or the crib side brought relief for a while, but soon I knew the birthing pool was what my body needed.

Sinking into the warm water brought immediate relief and relaxation, just as the pain was almost unbearable. I labored in the pool for a short time, following my body's desire to be on my hands and knees. Tears streamed down my face and loud moans brought strength like an athlete achieving a heavy lift. Never once did I doubt my body's ability to safely bring my baby into the world. Never once did I question whether I could do this on my own.

Then came an undeniable pressure, low down in my body, and I knew I'd meet my baby soon. I pushed slightly, with a couple of contractions then pushed with more intensity as I felt my baby descend. It's amazing how quickly a mother forgets the pain, because even as I'm writing this a month later, I'm having trouble coming up with the words to describe the moment when my baby's head was born. It was pressure and stretching and pain - although none of those words seem worthy of the moment because as fierce as the pain was, it was also supernatural and amazing.

Then, I reached down and could feel my baby's head was born. My older kids leaned over the tub to get a glimpse and I could feel the excitement building in myself and in my bedroom full of family. I could feel my smart baby kick his legs, pushing against me to help his shoulders to be born. With one more push, he made his way out into the water and into my hands.

Relief. Immediately the pain was gone. I carefully checked that the cord wasn't tangled and then pulled him to my chest. He was perfect. The love inside me swelled as I thanked the Lord for my baby and my family cried tears of joy around me.

I sat in the birthing pool a little while longer, just soaking everything in and getting to know my baby.

Emily had me check that the cord had stopped pulsing. After seeing a separation gush and the cord lengthen, she encouraged me to give a few pushes to deliver the placenta. Unexpectedly, the pool began to fill with more and more blood each time I pushed. Ever so calmly, Emily suggested we get out of the tub to handle the bleeding, so I cut the cord and handed the baby off to Terry.

While I was sitting on the birthing stool, Emily delivered the placenta, performed fundal massage, and gave me a few medications for bleeding while my mom prayed behind her. Never once did I feel afraid or panicked. The room was filled with a sense of calm peace.....everything was going to be ok.

The bleeding was stopped and my baby and I began our cuddle session in the comfort of my own bed, with my family all around.

Carson Scott Hensley was born about 2 hrs after my first contraction. With my previous hospital births being slightly traumatic, birthing him at home was empowering and a completely different experience. God is good and we are so provided for.