When I conceived my first, I realized birthing this baby in the conventional setting wasn’t sitting right with me. Due to some medical trauma I experienced while serving in the U.S. Army, I found myself quite apprehensive about returning to any medical setting. As a first-time mom and with my pregnancy being classified as high-risk, there were some doubts from those around me about my ability to navigate this journey unassisted, but God placed my wonderful doula along my path. Amidst it all, my amazing support system, especially my well-informed doula, stood by my side.

Throughout my pregnancy, I chose to embrace a more physiological approach, which meant no medical monitoring. We even decided to wait until birth to find out baby’s gender! Instead, I sought weekly chiropractic care and took on the task of prenatal monitoring myself. As I approached 35 weeks, I started to feel prodromal labor kick in. It was humbling—my intuition told me that our little one was struggling to tuck her chin.

For the next five weeks, I dedicated myself to working with my body and my baby. Curb walking, practicing side lying releases, Spinning Babies techniques—you name it! Asking baby what they needed and really tuning in. Finally, right before 6 am one morning in my 40th week, I had contractions where I could no longer rest that made me realize today was the day, I would meet my little one.

After a shower, I hopped up and began my day, with my husband supporting me through each surge. For some reason my mind insisted each contraction we needed the toilet.

When the afternoon rolled around, I felt it was time to let my doula know to be ready, and I asked my mom to bring over her delicious tater tot casserole (fuel for me!). With a TENS unit on and my husband giving me soothing massages, I labored. 

Once my mom got there around 5 pm, I enjoyed a quick bite of the casserole and resumed my labor, happily leaning into each wave of contractions! Not long after, my husband started filling up the birth pool, and I sent a text to my doula to come since she had a two-hour drive ahead of her. In an attempt to slow things down a bit, I lay on the bed for a while, but soon enough, I could no longer resist the warm water of the birthing tub.

I labored in the pool until I felt an overwhelming urge to get out and head to my other bathroom—cue the transition phase! Unfortunately, the casserole didn’t stay down, and I then truly believed I was in fact in labor. 

Returning to the birthing tub, I found my rhythm again. My doula arrived around 8 pm, and my husband was there beside me, holding my hand as she hummed through each wave with me. I felt so supported floating on my right side. Although I imagined myself birthing in a squatting position, my body knew what baby needed, and I listened.

As the ring of fire approached, I knew our baby was getting ready to make the debut! When baby finally emerged, her head and whole left arm came out together—a sign that she was indeed having a bit of difficulty tucking her chin. Presenting with signs of should dystocia or compound like presentation. Thankfully, the water helped ease her release. As I was waiting for another surge, it never came, and my doula gently encouraged me that I still needed to birth the rest of my baby. With one more push, she was out!

Instinctively, I could tell the cord was short, so I advised my husband not to pull. With my doula’s helping hand, our slippery little bundle was brought to my chest. I was struck with awe, frozen in a moment of pure shock as I held my baby girl. We remained in the tub until I could no longer bear the cold water.

Later, we severed the cord by burning, marking our incredible journey as a family. No complications, no tearing, no interventions—just the beautiful arrival of our precious daughter! My labor was essentially pain free. Intense, but not painful. My doula’s teachings and presence truly helped me achieve my physiological, pain free birth experience. This birth was filled with love, lots of learning, determination, and support.