Selah's Birth Story

Leading up to my due date (Feb 12), I begged God to let me have my baby. I was ready and uncomfortable, but little did I know what He was protecting me from.

Earlier in my pregnancy, Josh made a comment that he “just didn't want her born on Valentine's Day”. I thought for sure that's when she would come. I hoped she would. It came and went, no baby. February 15th brought us some of the coldest weather I've ever experienced in addition to several inches of snow. We lost power for 12 hours on the 15th and 5 hours on the 16th. I changed my prayer and asked that she would wait. I can't imagine birthing a newborn with no heat, hot water, or electricity.

She stayed put, and I'm beyond grateful she did. Even if she had come on Valentine's Day, I would have been freshly postpartum with a newborn and no heat or hot water. Thank you, Jesus.

On February 17 (Wednesday), I lost part of my mucus plug around noon. Around 2pm I started having irregular contractions that eventually fizzled out by 9pm.

The next day, I woke up at 3am with contractions so intense I had to breathe through them. They were 11-13 minutes apart, so I couldn't really sleep
through them. At 6am I got up and figured I might as well get some chores done before we have a baby. I unloaded/loaded the dishwasher and started a load of laundry while I listened to worship music. It was actually really peaceful being up before everyone else, and I wondered why I didn't do it more often. Contractions were every 6-7 minutes. I sat on my birth ball, read my Bible, and journaled.

Around 8am, the girls woke up and my contractions had fizzled out. I went back to bed for a short nap until my home visit with my midwife at 10am. I went about my day as usual, trying to get chores done while randomly dealing with contractions. They were super sporadic and all over the place, but generally felt more like a contraction than Braxton Hicks. Around 630pm, they got as close at 4-5 minutes apart. I fell asleep on the couch at around 8pm and woke up 40 minutes later to a contraction.

I sat at the table with Josh and my mother in law, who had come over the night before. We thought we were having a baby then. We played gin rummy and ate cookies while I dealt with sporadic contractions again.

Around 945pm, they got as close as 2-3 minutes apart. I called my midwife, Jaelin. They were getting more intense. I felt like I couldn't truly relax because the birth team wasn't there. She was over within the half hour. I texted our photographer and she headed our way as well.

I labored around the house while Josh set up the birth pool. Eventually the birth assistant arrived. She was so sweet. I loved talking with everyone while I labored. At one point, everyone was sitting in my bed drinking coffee. Josh got up to make eggs. Everyone snacked on cookies my mother in law had made earlier. It felt so relaxed and calm. Worship music played. Our boy tabby cat periodically checked on me and wanted pets. Our midwife and birth assistant put counter pressure on my back to help me through surges ALL NIGHT. Such incredible women.

Probably around 230am, I started feeling like my contractions weren't doing anything. The surge would come, Jaelin would apply counter pressure, and it would fizzle out. If labor was always like that, I would definitely have noooo problem with it. She suggested I get out of the pool and do some contractions squatting. I hate squatting during labor, but I did a couple to help things progress. They were getting more intense and I was almost feeling pushy. She then suggested some in “Captain Morgan” pose to help baby rotate down into my pelvis. I went to our bathroom and hugged Josh for support with one leg up on the tub for 3 surges. Our birth assistant applied counter pressure. I started to feel pushy and very ready to meet our baby.

I got back in the pool on my knees. When I felt ready to push, I laid back against the side of the tub. I remember feeling her head start to crown, but I needed a breather so I stopped pushing to give myself a break. The next surge, I slowly delivered her head. Soon after, I delivered the rest of her into my waiting hands. I was able to catch my baby, and it was the most amazing feeling. She was born at 3:23am.

My prayers for my labor were that I would remain calm while pushing and that I wouldn't tear. I felt completely in control of my birth and emotions. Josh said I was so quiet and calm, especially compared to my first two. Since I was intentional and slow to push, I didn't tear or need stitches even though Selah is my biggest baby so far.

I'm beyond thankful we were able to have a homebirth, especially due to recent events. I hope sharing my story encourages mamas that pretty much anyone can do it. And if you can't, you can still be informed and in control of your birth.

My birth team was so incredibly kind and helpful. I was encouraged the entire time, “you're doing a great job”, “you're safe here”, “that was beautiful”. And while I feel beyond blessed, it makes me sad to think that women birth without that kind of support. Your birth team is just that. A TEAM. They should support you, encourage you, advocate for you, and respect you and your decisions.
Devynn Leanne Photography