The Birth of Rowan Wilder
My body had been preparing for this sweet child's arrival for weeks. I began experiencing prodromal labor almost 2 weeks before he was actually born. During these weeks, my body was in a constant state of contractions and anticipation for his speedy arrival. Intuitively, I just knew it was going to be a fast and furious birth, I knew it was going to be at the break of day, and I knew my water was going to break (unlike the birth of my daughter).
On the early morning of September 29th, I woke up around 3 a.m. to stronger contractions coinciding with this dropping pressure feeling in my womb. I knew this was it and that my water was about to break. I stayed awake for awhile meditating on what was about to unfold and getting a clear vision of how I wanted this home birth to go. Around 5:00, I got up to use the bathroom and as soon as I stood up, my water began to break. It wasn't all at once like they show in the movies. For me, it was a slow trickle at first and I was sure it was about to explode like a water balloon...Which it did. I updated my midwife, Sarah (who was 2 hours away in Charlotte) and she let me know she would head my way and that she would contact my local midwife, Ulrike, and assistant/ birth photographer, Taylor, to let them know it was time to get ready to come over. She also knew this was going to be a fast birth. Very much like my daughter's birth, my contractions began close together, about 3 minutes apart, and picked up quickly in intensity. I tried to just focus on my breathing, staying as comfortable as possible, and the knowing that I would get to meet this baby very soon!
Time moves quickly when in labor and everything seems sort of hazy, like a dream. Ulrike arrived around 8 and I was already beginning to feel a lot of pressure and like I was ready to push. By 9, Taylor arrived and a little while after, so did Sarah. I know there was probably so much going on in the background, but these wonderful women were like silent goddess ninjas. I knew I was held and safe. They offered gentle guidance into better positions, but I was also given the space to focus on getting this baby out. The only place I found to be comfortable and offer the support to make really good progress on my pushes was the toilet. I did not want to have a toilet baby, so I was moved to the birthing stool. With my husband, Dillon, behind me holding me, fanning me, and doing deep breathing to remind me to focus in on my own breath, I bared down and roared our son into this world in a matter of minutes. Rowan entered this world at 10:08, loud and proud and was very eager to begin eating once he calmed down. And so was I!
Once I was able to lie down and get cozy in bed with my family, Ulrike brought me breakfast in bed. There were no bright lights or constantly being poked and prodded like what would happen in a hospital. There was only peace and sacred held space in the comfort of our home. I couldn't have asked for a better team or a better birth experience. What a gift to bring new life into this world surrounded by love and calmness.
