a home birth in the water, attended by Midwife Nancy Pol of Emergence Midwifery in Queen Creek, Arizona

The Day Beau Was Born

I woke up around 8:00 to the faint sound of giggles and morning clatter. My husband had been getting up with the kids every morning for months, letting me sleep in. I had light contractions, inconsistently spaced and 10+ minutes apart. As I laid in bed, I decided to meditate. Mind you, I’ve never meditated before in my life.. But I had a birthing app with some preloaded ones, so I gave it a go. Forty minutes passed in what felt like five, and at that point I started to think ‘today just might be the day’.

I went out to join Brandon and the kids and let him know how I was feeling. Our morning went about as normal. I was fluttering around the house picking up. Putting clean sheets on the bed, wiping down the kitchen, making sure the fridge was stocked with the essentials for Carson and Juliette. I was feeling a bit of last minute nesting. By 10:00am, I’m letting mine and Brandon’s moms know what’s going on. Contractions are still nearly 10 minutes apart. It’s difficult to gauge when to tell out of town family to head on over. These contractions could mean baby in five hours or five days. By 11:00am, contractions were 2-3 minutes apart, still low intensity, but I knew it was happening. My incredible midwives, Nancy and Isabelle, along with our photographer, Carey, are on their way over. 

Nancy arrives first with all her supplies in tow. Such a warm feeling to know that she trusts me and my body, while at the same time has everything we could need if there were to be an emergency. Brandon is on his way home with turkey subs and strawberries. I know, seems silly to send him on an errand at such a time but a solid lunch was needed and strawberries are the go to snack for our kids, can’t be without those on such a day! 

Nancy, Isabelle, and Carey get our bedroom and bathroom all set up. Supplies organized, towels placed all cute, bedding turned down. At this point we’re ready to go, just hanging out and chatting while my contractions get closer together. We’re all in the kitchen and Isabelle asks if I’d like her to fill the tub. I wasn’t sure it was really that time yet. Contractions are still pretty mild, however they were only a minute or so apart. I’m thankful she suggested it when she did. By the time the tub was full I was ready to get in.

I started off leaning back. Juliette stayed right with me, stroking my arm, hugging me. She said, “Hi,” to each person with her sweet little grin countless times. Carson was in and out of the bathroom, pleasantly calm and supportive when he was near me. Brandon attentively watching and ready for anything I may need but not hovering and crowding me. He knows me well. After some time, I really couldn’t tell you how long, intensity picked up. I moved into a crouched squat position which helped. Still very intense but no longer fighting against gravity. I think my mom arrived around this time. I remember hearing the kids laugh and play in the background. Music to my ears and warmth to my soul.

At this point I finally started to push, to really push. I had been waiting and trying to just breath through each contraction. I wanted to let my body move Beau down without me straining too early on. But now, it was time. I had Brandon come close to hold my hand. The other I had on the bottom of the tub for support. I would get Beau so close and then retreat. The thoughts of ‘I can’t do this’ try to break through but I would literally override them with ‘your body is made for this, God created you to bring these children into the world’. I was feeling empowered and defeated at the same time. Why haven’t I gotten this baby out yet? I’m prepared! I’ve prepared my mind, I’ve prepared my body. What’s the deal? Then I got my answer. Nancy was able to see that he was still in the sack. Through all this laboring my water never broke. I’m working down my baby who is still inside this balloon. This gives me some relief because I feel validated that yes this is hard, and dang it hurts, and here’s the reason why. Now the sack breaks but his hands are up by his face. He’d had the freedom to move around instead of his arms being pinned at his sides. I hear Nancy excitedly say, “He just grabbed my finger!” It makes me smile to think back on Beau wrapping his tiny first around her finger before being born. Very fitting, midwives are the assistants between heaven and earth. My next push brings Beau earth-side.

The immediate sense of relief, gratitude, and zero pain is pretty incredible. That natural birth high you hear about is true. God designed our bodies perfectly. I remember holding him on my chest and thinking how big he was! And how much gorgeous vernix was all over him. And that hair! He was here. Finally, here.

Nancy has me get out of the water within a few minutes. I had some bleeding and she wanted to be able to see better and make sure it wasn’t too much, difficult to do in water. When I stood to get out she held Beau to my chest to keep him on me, the importance of skin to skin honored and protected. We move to my bed (already prepped with those blue drop cloth type things, you know.. the ones like at the gynecologist) and everything is fine. Beau nurses for the first time. Carson cuts the cord. Juliette snuggles in close. Brandon is near, loving and supportive. 

My mom goes to grab dinner. Nancy insisted on me eating a full meal and I’m glad she did. I was exhausted and needed fuel. I shared a bowl of spaghetti with my daughter, in my bed, while my newborn baby got his exam done. There were no tears, no screaming, no measurements moments after birth, no cold plastic box. He was calm, warm, nursed, and didn’t mind being weighed and measured. During his exam she noticed he had lip, tongue, and cheek ties. She gave me contact information for the best tie revision doctor in the valley and we got them fixed when he was two days old. His latch immediately improved. He nurses like a champ!

Nancy and Isabelle stayed and got us all settled, cleaned up the bathroom, soaked towels in hydrogen peroxide to get the blood out. By the time they leave it’s bedtime for Carson and Jules, my mom and mother-in-law get them off to bed. Brandon and I now get to just stare at our third miracle and reminisce on the day. 

I don’t think I slept more than an hour that night. Not because of a crying baby, I just couldn’t stop staring at him! I had this energy even though I knew I should be exhausted. I liked the feeling of being the only one awake in the house, just me.. able to soak in my baby all to myself.

This experience was like nothing else. I loved having my children present. My son was able to witness the strength of women and see first hand physiological birth. My daughter was able to see what she will be capable of someday and to trust her intuition. 

Beau Samuel

9lbs 4oz

20.5”

Born at 4:45pm on 11/6/21

Photographer/Videographer: Carey (that’s meeee!) @careylaurenphoto

Mama: Amber @a_spang_eleven

Midwife: Nancy Pol @ Emergence Midwifery / @emergence_midwifery

Nursing Bra: Momanda (This mama, Amber suggests to size up!)

Meditations/Hypnobirthing App mentioned: Christian Hypnobirthing

Oh, hey! I’m Carey.

Your future birth photographer, hip squeezer, and we will probs become best buds.

I am that home birth mom with 3 crazy boys, just trying to make it to hockey practice on time.

I serve the entire greater Phoenix area including Peoria, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek.

Let’s chat about your birth over some coffee!