My Home Water Birth: Part III

The night I gave birth I began having very light contractions around 8p, the whole family was dancing and laughing as we ate dinner and settled down for what we through would be a normal night. At 11pm contractions became stronger and I knew things were about to start. I called my midwife and she began her voyage from Charleston. My daughter Joy was sleeping already and Jo stayed up with me as I continued to bounce on my ball and begin to transcend into my "mental happy place." When my midwife arrived around 1:00 a.m. Jo had filled the tub with warm water and began my diffuser filled with frankincense and lavender essential oils. My salt lamp created a beautifully lit ambiance in our bedroom, right next to my meditation corner where I'd been meeting with myself, casting vision and meeting with God over the last 9 months. The energy was gentle yet powerful and sweet. My mom, Lovie, was now up and Joy had also waken to see what was going on. I had been preparing her for this day by watching a few no graphic birth videos and explaining what we were going to experience together. My contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart and I was feeling heavy sensations. Something I read during my pregnancy that I held onto throughout labor was a quote, "You are birth." This struck curiosity at first glance but what it explained is that our body was made for this beautiful experience and the "pain" we talk about is the power of our body bringing life from inside of the womb into our physical world. What power we have! With that power we must be mentally prepared to hone it. Changing our perspective from pain to power, each contraction is a sensation of coming closer to meeting our baby. Breathing through each sensation, holding onto the excitement of each moment moving closer to the birth of 9 months of creation. How amazing that is. As each sensation continued I repeated baby is coming, mindful smiling through sensations. I found joy in each wave of intensity and identified the power my body had to allow this process to take place. While in the tub, I had a moment where I lost mental focus, I lost connection with the power and began to identify pain. I got out of the tub, thinking I would lay down for a moment, but as soon as I kneeled down to lay, I felt the immense power of my water breaking and baby's head inching closer to crown. "Uh uh Janeen! You better get back in that tub. We are not having this baby on your yoga mat!" Jo says to me as I assume the squating position to have the baby on the mat. Jo and lovie quickly helped me back in the tub as my body began to push. I remember my midwife telling me to put my hand down and feel, in that moment I felt my babies head, full of hair and full of life. I was overwhelemed with emotion, happiness and focus to again identify the power and not the pain. Lovie was prepped for the delivery. She grabbed a towel and my very next push, she held Jovi and directed her back to me, all while ensuring her apple watch remained dry lol Words can't begin to express the euphoria that takes over the very first time you hold your baby. She had finally arrived, in my arms, in my world. Thankfulness is just the beginning of the feeling I have for Jovi, my family and all those who have shaped me throughout my personal journey; whether through a good or bad experience. I'm thankful for the opportunity to experience birth the way I did. It ignited a power in me that burns with mindfulness, creativity and tranquility. This journey of birth has given birth to me, its gifted me with lessons, love and light. Eliminating the illusion of fear. We are here to do much more than exist, we are here to thrive, conquer and illuminate in love and freedom. Whatever your dreams whatever your desires, the time is now to start the journey. Imagine how we can change the world one by one by claiming the power within, honoring oneself and honoring one another, being at peace with ourselves and in alignment with the Most High. May you be filled with lessons, love and light. Janeen