Fresno Famous

My last home birth was three years ago, my daughter was born very quickly, from the time I realized I was in labor and had her it was about 1 1/2 hours. In fact, our midwife didn't make it on time and our Doula ended up catching. It was beautiful just the same. No fuss, no complications.
We were ready this time, or so we thought. My contractions started 9 weeks ago and were very painful. After I got the green light at 36 weeks from my midwife, we thought for sure the baby would come any day. We had a lot of false alarms. My first baby was born at 36 and our second at 37, so we thought for sure this baby would be early too. My poor midwife must have come over 7 or 8 times and set up the pool.
Thankfully, my water broke yesterday at 5:30 we had the pool set up by 8:30 and 59 minutes later the baby was born. We had a baby girl in a birthing pool in our living room surrounded by friends and family. My mom grandma and aunt some others I wish could have been there, but I've learned birth is not something we can plan or control.
I am happy that my husband was with me the entire time and I had the assistance of not one but two doulas. During contractions my husband kissed me and kept me focused. I was surrounded by voices of encouragement. I felt safe enough to make all the noise I needed to. My five year old daughter was present and saw her baby sister come into the world. What a blessing, natural/normal childbirth is not strange to her, but all she knows. Our baby girl was born at 9:29pm, she weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches long. She has dark brown hair like her mom and blond eyebrows like her dad! She nurses like a champ and is quiet and calm. Ava is SUCH a great big sister and Uma loves our new addition, but doesn't like it when Ava touches or kisses the baby.
Having the baby at home has been glorious. I am in my home, no one told my husband he couldn't spend the night with me and I get to eat whatever I want! In fact during my labor my husband was hand feeding me berries. This morning I had breakfast in bed, eggs over easy, potatoes and sliced avocado with Odwalla Tangerine Juice. Beat that Any Hospital. I'm not opposed to hospital births, but for me, my home birth was exactly what 'the doctor ordered. The only germs my little one is exposed to are the ones in my home that my breast milk has antibodies already made for. She and I both have been checked on by my midwife and since she lives a few minutes away, I feel good about our safety and know help is a phone call and short drive away.
I'm especially grateful that this home birth allowed us to stay home. Three years ago less than 18 hours after the birth of our second child, we were racing to Valley Children s Hospital. Uma was becoming dusky in color and there we found not only was she producing too many red blood cells, but she also had Downs Syndrome. We spent 10 long days there, I do not wish recovery in the NICU for any mom. So I am particularly grateful that we are comfortably at home with a healthy baby.
Home birth is not for everyone, but if you are on the fence concerning this topic, all I can say is it is a safe alternative to hospital births, and quite beautiful, convenient and private.