Belle’s Home Birthing Story

My partner Ben and I knew we wanted to plan for a home birth but did not know where to start. The community of Austin, TX, has many experienced and well respected Midwives available. However, none that we clicked with right away. Two people recommended I check out Central Texas Midwifery. After our first meeting with Kate and Sam I knew they were our team we wanted to have going into our birth ceremony. They have very different personalities and skills and having both available to me along my journey created a huge sense of comfort and peace. I connected with each Kate and Sam in different ways and valued their differences so much. 

I was prepared perfectly and gently throughout the weeks leading up to birth on what to expect. They helped inform me medically and also encouraged me to learn about all modalities to assist in a more pleasurable pregnancy and birth. It was such an underrated bonus to have them come to my home for ALL of my visits. To be in my bathrobe on my couch chatting openly with them felt beyond incredible. I didn’t have to go to a sterile office and waste my time waiting all for an impersonal  meeting. I developed a real friendship and relationship with each Midwife and felt very comfortable with them by the time my due date approached. 

The day of birth was incredible. This was my first baby and I felt the nerves arise of how unknown this experience would be. 

I woke up in the night with some cramps/contractions and messaged my midwives. They responded at 4 am and told me to continue to get rest as this could be a long process. It was very exciting to know this experience was beginning. 

I rode out the early hour waves and was doing alright. I was able to eat and rest and relax at home. Around 3:30PM I felt a shift. Contractions were getting stronger and closer together. We were in contact with our midwives and invited our Doula to come over and assist me as I rode through the next wave of contractions. Having the ability to move around my house wherever I wanted was so major for me. It allowed me to fully be in my body and feel safe. I could make noises or have silence if I needed. Eventually I felt the urge to get into water. My partner filled and heated our birthing tub for me and after hours of hip squeezes and massages, I was ready to work with the contractions all on my own. It was about 9:00PM and I went very internal. The lights were dim, low meditation music was on, and everyone was quiet. I allowed myself to connect with my baby. I could feel him floating inside of me with the buoyancy of the water. I put my hand on my belly and began to connect to him. I told him we don’t have to resist each other and this change that’s about to happen. I expressed I was ready for him to come and embodied how safe it will feel for both of us on the other side of the transition.