This was my third home birth, and just like the first two, it was an amazing experience in every way. With each birth, I’ve learned more about myself, my body, and the incredible power of bringing a baby into the world in the comfort of my own home.

Leading up to this birth, my midwife suggested that I not go past my due date. With my previous home birth, I experienced a hemorrhage and lost so much blood that I couldn’t see anything. My baby was 9 pounds, 12 ounces, and 22.5 inches long, and while I was thankful for his healthy arrival, I didn’t want to go through that again. If you want to read that birth story, visit here.

So, on the day of this birth, April 21, 2023, I went with my husband and my two older children (ages 4 and 3) to my midwife’s house to check if I was dilated. I was only at 0.5 cm—barely anything. My midwife asked if I wanted to have the baby that day or wait, and after talking with my husband, we agreed to have our baby that very day! My midwife gave me an herb to swallow to help start my labor process and encourage my sweet baby to come.

One of the things I dislike the most is having my cervix checked. The feeling of my midwife moving my cervix to see if it’s dilated is one of the most uncomfortable parts of the process, even worse than pushing! But, as I’ve shared in my previous home birth stories on my website, my labor pain is very manageable and natural. The contractions were tolerable, and I was able to handle them just as I had in my previous births.

We did everything we could to get labor going naturally. We took a long hike, worked my legs, and even did squats in the woods! Afterward, we stopped to eat Panda Express while I was in labor—because, why not? My two older kids were so excited to have a baby sister on the way, and I wanted them to be a part of the process!!

After hours of being out, we drove back to my midwife’s place, and she checked me again. I had progressed a little so she then gave me olive oil to rub on my nipples to help stimulate contractions—a completely natural remedy that worked wonders. Meanwhile, the kids were in the living room, hanging out with my midwife’s assistant. She was amazing, reading to them and coloring with them, while Heze and Karis literally bounced off the walls, so excited to meet their baby sister!!

I ate a big bowl of salad and stayed hydrated with coconut water, and around 8 pm, my midwife asked if she could break my water to help things along. At 7 cm dilated, I agreed. While it was uncomfortable, it helped the process move faster. After she broke my water, I immediately felt more pressure, and things started to intensify. I started vomiting and It felt like a marathon while I was contracting and waiting. I used the bathtub to relieve some pain, but I didn’t stay in long, as my contractions stopped completely in the water, and I was determined to meet my baby!

My husband was by my side the entire time, supporting me every step of the way. When I finally reached 10 cm, I was ready to push. One of the hardest pushes for me is the squat push, and while I wasn’t sure how big my baby would be this time, I was so excited to meet her! I held my midwife’s assistant’s hand for support and pushed with every contraction, using deep breaths and mental visualization to keep going.

Pushing was exhausting. With each contraction, I felt like I had no energy left, but I clung to hope that the baby would come soon. My body was doing what it was made to do, and every push was a reminder of the strength within me. God truly created women’s bodies to be incredible. I pushed for an hour, grunting loudly and calling out for Jesus to help me. I was beyond exhausted, but finally, at 11:20 pm, after an hour of pushing, another big baby arrived!

She cried for about three seconds after coming out, and I couldn’t believe it—she weighed 10 pounds, 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. My husband cut the umbilical cord, and we immediately placed her on my chest. He kept saying, “You did it!” and reassuring me while rubbing my shoulders. As I nursed her, she stared right into my eyes, and I couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude for her safe arrival. I had no complications or tearing! Wa-Hoo!!!

During the last eight weeks of pregnancy, my midwife recommended I drink 2-4 cups of red raspberry leaf tea daily and eat a salad every day to help keep my blood levels stable. I followed her advice, and I didn’t hemorrhage like I had before. I felt great, and it was such a blessing to see how God kept me safe through it all.

My midwife cleaned up the bed and did laundry while I rested. My husband and I eventually slept, but he was up early taking care of the older kids before I even got out of bed. When I woke up, the kids slowly came into the room. Heze walked in first, completely amazed by his baby sister. He smiled, put his hand over his mouth, and touched her so gently. Karis followed behind him, thrilled to see her little sister in Daddy’s arms.

I’m forever grateful for the strength of my body, the support of my amazing team, and most importantly, the gift of my healthy baby girl.

(Psalms 127:3-5) “Behold, children are an heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. {4} Like arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are children of the youth. {5} Happy is the man that who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”