"For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
- 2 Timothy 1:7
When it came to preparing for the birth of our second child, we made the decision during the first trimester of pregnancy to give birth at a birth center with the assistance of midwives. I've always wanted to experience a natural birth and I'm so happy that I was able to. It was truly one of the most empowering and surreal days of my life.
My water broke without much warning at 1:00 a.m. on February 4th at 38 weeks + 6 days. Contractions started immediately but remained between 15-30 minutes apart for the night. Matthew slept while I walked around the house, straightened my hair, did laundry and tried to nap unsuccessfully. It wasn't until around 6 a.m. that contractions started coming 7 minutes apart consistently, so we woke up Charlotte, packed up the car and drove over to the birth center to meet our midwives.
Once we arrived at the birth center (at about 7 a.m.) and I hopped into the tub, everything began to progress much more quickly and we finally remembered to text our birth photographer. Once she arrived, I was already in transition (dilating from 7 cm-10 cm) and in quite a bit of pain! Laboring in the birthing tub was very helpful since I was experiencing back labor. I had memorized some birth affirmations and Bible verses the week before and thinking of them helped keep me relaxed throughout the contractions. Matthew was wonderful and held my hand through every contraction and my midwives were very encouraging the entire time. Thankfully, it was over fairly quickly and our handsome son was born on the floor of the bathroom (very glamorous!) at 9:20 a.m., weighing 7lbs, 8 ounces and measuring 22 inches long!
“Remember this, for it is as true and true gets: Your body is not a
lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic.
Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as
aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose, and water buffalo. Even
if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend
that you learn to think positively about your body.”
- Ina May Gaskin
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- Joshua 1:9
"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can
say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you."
- Matthew 17:20
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
- Pslam 139:13-16
"From the fullness of grace, we have received one blessing after another."
- John 1:16
I am so thankful for my supportive husband, caring midwives, wonderful
birth photographer and all of the faithful friends and family members
that prayed for me during labor. God is good.
All photos are by the very talented Jenna Petty.
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