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The birth of Julian Atreyu - A beautiful, emotionally descriptive homebirth story!
After Six Medical Births, I Finally Have the Birth I Deserve - An awesome home waterbirth!

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The birth of Julian Atreyu
by Karen Pielke
I woke up to a contraction at 6:10am on the 17th of Sept! My due date! I thought then that there was no way I was in labor -- not on my due date! But after Juan took the kids to school, I went to the bathroom (also had an app. w the midwife that morning) and saw that I had pink discharge! My "show" was here...and I was not ready for this. ON my DUE DATE?! LOL!

Juan came home and I told him I thought I was in labor, early labor, and that we should call Karen and cancel seeing her this morning, as I figured she would be out by the afternoon anyway. Juan was not sure he wanted me to be in labor, as we both had had about 3 hours of sleep only the night before…but you just can't pick and choose can you? All 3 labors were 5 hours in the past, so I figured the same w this one. Nope.

We ran around the house, getting things ready...Juan blew up the pool, washed the dishes, vacuumed and we went out to get bagels. I was having contractions varying from every 10 to every 45 minutes. Nothing regular, but VERY full of pressure. His little (little?! HA) head was pressed RIGHT up to my cervix the entire time, so I felt a lot of pressure with each contraction. I kept thinking it would happen...sooner than later. I kept hoping! We got back from bagels at about 11, and got the plastic liner on the bed with a fitted sheet
over it, then we tried to lie down. The contractions were coming still
irregularly, and were uncomfortable, but were not so bad that I couldn't do anything. Except sleep! THAT was not going to happen! At least I had gotten a few hours the night before -- but not a lot at all.

Hours passed without much change at all. We went in the afternoon to get the kids, having contractions all the way, here and there. My other daughter, the one that lives about an hour from me during the week, was actually on a field trip to the county fair that day, which is just minutes from my house. She, along with my best friend Liz, my mom and the other kids and Juan and I, all met up at the house by 4, hoping, waiting for some action. There was very little action! At this point, I was thinking I'd try some herbal stuff to get them a bit more regular, so I sent Liz and the kids to get some black cohosh - and while I was at it, even though I was getting more uncomfortable, I
asked her to get the bandages to make a belly cast! LOL!! So, after about an hour, she returned and Juan and I did it! So I have a cast now, too - yay! I wanted that sooo badly, and I have it! It's not great, but it's ok - it's what I wanted. So at about 5:15, when the contractions began to hurt more, we covered my belly and breasts in oil, and plastered me! Not easy when the contractions hit, let me tell you…ugh…but it was worth it. (editors note: see links in sidebar for Belly Casting information)

Since nothing was taking place really, other than contractions that seemed to be doing little, I sent everyone home and put the younger kids to bed at about 9. My oldest, Laura (14) stayed with me. Well, Juan was there the entire time, too. At 10pm, I had a contraction that blew me away and a small gush of water came with it…I figured my water broke, but I was still unsure. It drenched my pad and I was all soggy…lol…Anyway…

Between 5 and 10, it got harder, but it was not unmanageable. They did get more regular, though. I had been taking 10 drops of Black Cohosh every 30 minutes for an hour and a half to 2 hours, and they seemed to steady out as a result (or I just did that, not sure). They were roughly at every 20 minutes now and got to every 15, then back again. Closer, but not all that exact! I was STILL questioning if I was "really" in labor. I know that not all labors are perfect, time-able things, but when it comes to myself, I always think that I must be doing something wrong, or not really in labor or something. Silly me! I was very in labor, obviously, huh? Anyway, so by 10pm, when my
water broke, I was VERY uncomfy, but still managing it well. I had to go to the bathroom after every contraction! I spent forever in there it seemed, but it sure helped to deal with the contractions. A full bladder feels terrible in labor.

Things start to get really fuzzy here, as far as time passing is concerned. I know that everything began to hurt so much here - much more than my other labors. I tried to get into the water, in the tub, but it felt wrong this time - which is strange because the last 2 times it felt like the best drugs in the world being in there! But, I made it through one contraction and decided to get out of there. It just wasn't the right thing this time. We labored together, Juan holding me, telling me that it would be over soon (each contraction, that is) and telling me he loved me. I don't think I knew what was going on at this point. Not quite in Laborland, but close. I'd joke and be fine in between contractions, but I really began to moan loudly at this point. Just, "Oh, oh, oh…" and sometimes it would be dragged on. I tried
breathing, relaxing, focusing, but what worked, was what came naturally - which was moaning as often as I wanted and needed to. I was getting hot and cold, covers being tossed off and then hugged around me. Juan got me water, lots of it, with ice. He made me feel I could do this. I swear, it seemed to both of us that we were only in labor - not that a baby was going to come from this. He was so focused on caring for me and I was so focused on the pain and the intensity, that we seemed to just forget.

At about 3 am, we called everyone again and asked them to come over. I had a feeling that if we didn't call right then, that we would forget or I'd not allow Juan to leave my side and call anyone - including Karen! Everyone showed up, Karen got there at about 3:30 to 4am, and at that time, I was in a kind of reprieve. I was in this weird state - in pain, but no rising and falling of it. It was constant, but it was ok - even though it hurt like hell, it was stable. I welcomed her, naked, wrapped in a blanket telling her how I was feeling. She set up and I think while seeing her do this, it began to dawn on me that a BABY was coming soon…lol…she had a warmer for the blankets, and was asking about the baby clothes and diapers and I was just like, "Oh, yeah…wow…" Then I began with contractions again. Her assistant, Sherry, was there too, standing quietly in the background, waiting to be needed. Karen checked me since I asked her to. I was hoping to be at LEAST 6, but…I was only 5! I had been in labor since 6:10 am, and here it was 21 hours later, and I was at 5?! I wasn't too happy. Karen said that she knew I would go fast from there - she could tell by my behavior and then she suggested I get in the shower for a bit. Which felt GREAT! Until they got even stronger, and standing up became the worst idea in the world. Oh, GOD that hurt…but the water was nice and it did help refresh me. I just sat on the toilet for a bit before I got in just listening to the water run, it was that soothing. I got out and sat again on the toilet for a while - all shyness was GONE -- I was hoping to actually USE the toilet this time, thinking that would eliminate the possible mess when pushing out the baby, but I guess I really was empty, 'cause nothing but
blood and water came out of me!

I sat there, in a daze of pain, rocking from side to side, eyes closed. I have NEVER felt anything so painful and amazing in my life. I was wondering how I would make it, and when and if it would end. I was so lost, so not there and yet so incredibly PRESENT in the moment
that time just slipped away, as it took forever to pass. Earlier, I had a 6-minute contraction, and then I'd have the camel back ones, too, but there wasn't yet anything like this. It was cold, hard, sharp pain, telling me I was ALIVE and was busy, working, being a woman in a way I hadn't done before. This pain was hot as fire and cold as ice, all at the same time. It hurt too bad to cry, to move, to talk, to do anything other than moan. It was amazing to be in that place in my head, to know that it exists in there…I've never felt so strong, and so vulnerable all mixed together. Powerful and helpless. In need and very independent.

After sitting on the toilet a bit, I began feeling nauseous. I also had never thrown up in labor, like so many women have done, so I fought that too. The urge went away after a bit - I got up, and stumbled back to bed, and lay on my side again. All of the sudden I asked Karen for the "puke bowl"! I had no other language at that time, lol…And again, no shame (it was only Karen and Juan, anyway, who else could I be more Me in front of at that point?), and I just leaned over and emptied my stomach. Karen had the bowl washed and returned in seconds! Thankfully, once was enough. When I had first come out
of the bathroom, Karen asked me how I was doing, and all I could do was whisper, "transition", but I guess the need to vomit took over and "puke bowl" was THE phrase for me, huh?!

Well, transition ended a bit after the vomiting. Karen placed some VERY warm compresses kind of between my legs, up near my bum, which at first startled me, but then began to really feel great. So soothing. She also was rubbing my feet, which felt great, and wiping me down with a soft blanket all the while too. Juan was up by my head and shoulders, saying sweet things to me. His voice was so soothing, so comforting. He made me feel strong and actually
beautiful in the middle of all this! Even the vomiting was nothing, he just held me and loved me all the time, no matter what - and loved me hard. The contractions were one on top of the other at this point, and I began to make grunting noises at the end of them. Karen tried to get me to push with the contractions, but there was no way. It hurt too badly and I was resisting all the way. I was too scared to make more pain, so I just waited for my body to do it for me. Karen helped me a bit by putting her fingers inside me, and it guided me as to where I was supposed to be pushing…it was like an example, in
a way and it felt GREAT! When she took her fingers away, I was lost again, because the pain was too immense. Her fingers really helped guide me and that eliminated a great deal of the confusion-pain that I was feeling. Soon, I couldn't do much more. I HAD to push with the contractions - not all of each one, but most of each one. Natural pushing is kind of cool, there is time for you to breathe and let your body get the baby out. I did this in the past twice, but it was so fast those times. This time, I guess I pushed for an hour (3rd birth was only 10 minutes!). Karen told me that the head was "right there" which should have helped, but it still seemed like it would be days,
months, years until he would be here! I STILL wasn't fully sure what I was doing, I was still just in pain at that point. She took my hand and I reached down and felt the baby's head…all wet, wrinkly and walnut like…lol…and then his head went back a bit, then out, then back in…like 2 steps forward, and one step back. It would hurt when he went back in a bit, but Karen said I was stretching nicely, and that was ok, I would be fine. All of the sudden, after seeing her aim the mirror so Juan could see what was happening, I got a strong pushing contraction, and moaning, yelling and becoming high pitched, his head was born! I thought I might get a rest then, but there was no rest.
I got another contraction after having just enough time to tell her that my pubic bone area hurt. She had said to try pushing again, but I couldn't because of that. Sherry came over and pushed down on the outside (I later learned that they were a little bit concerned with shoulder distocia, but all was fine!) and I pushed with my body and I felt this huge, wet, warmth slip from inside of me. There is nothing like that feeling. I knew I was giving birth, I just wish that particular feeling lasted longer. He was huge, but it felt right, even good. And then he was on my chest, under a blanket, warm, wet and practically steaming from me. Juan was sobbing SO hard next to me…it was amazing. He was in awe of the entire experience and the emotion of it all took him and grabbed him hard. Then I saw him…and there he was…he really WAS after all my Julian. The reality of him being with me, from me, hit us both so hard. He was this tangible bit of all that Juan and I have been through, especially this past year. An accumulation of the pain and the love and the energy that it has taken us both to become who we are. All wrapped up in this little guy. It was mind blowing and I'd do it again…this was at 6:20am, 9-18-02, 24 hours and 10 minutes after it all began.

My daughter Grace and my friend Liz and my mom came in a few minutes later. We had just gotten the placenta out, and it was in a towel next to me, and he was able to be admired right away! My mom brought me tea and my kids brought me a muffin. Juan had coffee…lol…we had had no sleep in over 24 hours and we both were now on that after birth high.

Karen did the most gentle, wonderful newborn exam ever. His APGAR was 10/10, btw. We did not use the eye drops or a vitamin K shot, so we just sat back and relaxed. He nursed in 15 minutes! Then we all began to guess his weight. 9 pounds even! I was closest, as was Karen (must be a name thing, lol). He was 18 inches (he is all body and no leg…he is a miniature of his father, from fingers to toes!) and his head was 13 ¾ inches around, and 13 inches around his chest. We also decided not to have the heel stick done (after careful consideration), so we just nursed and relaxed. I later had about 5
stitches, as I did tear a bit - but not bad after two 4th degrees and one 2nd!).

After Six Medical Births, I Finally Have the Birth I Deserve
by Kimberkey Hudson (Zaria)
I have finally taken responsibility for myself. I have finally gotten what I wanted and deserved. It has taken seven babies............here is the story of Teyha's birth. She is more special to me because of the birth that I have experienced...It has taken long enough.

Teyha, my sweet little girl, 8 lbs, 5 ounces, & 19 inches, was born at home with just daddy and siblings in attendance at 4:51 am, July 1st, 2001. Hubby came home Saturday night from his trip. Of course he was exhausted. Of course I was pissed at him for no reason. When it was bed time, everybody went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, but I just could not get to sleep. I kept getting up and using the bathroom, though.

So, around 2:00 am, I started to have contractions. I didn't think anything of it. I thought that it was strange for them to be on top of each other. Hubby heard me moaning and got up and asked what was wrong. I told him that I didn't know and was scared but I wanted to get in the shower. I got in, thinking that it would help, but it didn't so I told him I wanted to get out.

At that point I went into the living room and began moaning louder. Our 2nd oldest daughter got up because she heard me. Meanwhile hubby held my hand and began talking to me. I raised up and said "Uh oh." Hubby said "What?" I told him I thought I was leaking because I felt a little trickle and he said...it's not urine. He went and got my son up and they got the horse trough and brought it into the living room. Our two-year-old was sleeping in my bed and I didn't want to wake her.

Soon the trough was filled, but at the time I couldn't get in because the contractions were so intense. I started calling out for drugs......Hubby was looking at me like I was crazy and said, I don't think so. I could have smacked the crap out of him!

By that time, the three oldest were sitting in the living room with us waiting...I of course was screaming my head off and yelling at all of them to SHUT UP. Their little chit chat was getting on my nerves. I was screaming and yelling and thinking of all the other women that may be going through this with me and called out to them. I called on the Great Spirit to help me......Well, yelled out really. I said, Oh GOD please HELP ME!!!!!!!!! I felt that I was losing it and couldn't take it anymore so I started pushing. Hubby told me I was doing fine and was in control. I didn't know if it was the right time to push but I did. I couldn't help it. I wanted it over.

At that point I was unaware of what was happening, but I did realize that somehow my body was floating upward and I was holding on to the sides of the trough. Hubby yelled to the kids, "Ooops...give me some tissue." He said that the baby was coming because there was poop. He told me to get on my hands and knees or try to squat.....I screamed, "I can't," and he said, "Never mind....I see the head....I see the head." I screamed her out of me and he reached down into the water and brought her to my chest.
Kim and Teyha
By this time....ALL the kids were in the living room. She was looking around at everybody as they were saying hello. I held her for a while.........I was amazed. This was the first time that I have ever gotten to hold my baby after birth! In the hospitals, they always whisked them away. After a while......I told hubby to get the scissors because she had a short cord and I needed to get on with business because I had started cramping.....the placenta was trying to come. They clamped and cut her cord. I delivered the placenta in the water.

All the kids helped with the cleanup. Right after the birth she had started rooting.....waiting for that first meal! She was born at 4:51 am and by 7:00 am we were all back in bed. Since her birth, my husband has been telling me what a good job I did. He is so proud of me...and so am I.

As of today July 5th my little one still amazes me. She is one now (turned one on July 1 st 2002). I have no birth traumas and think about the day of her emergance all the time.....it was GREAT!!!!