I have absolutely zero regrets about Freya's birth, and that is an amazing feeling. It was so different than Maxine's birth, yet so similar. I fought hard to get both of my girls here. My body did amazing things to grow, nourish, and birth my babies. Maxine's birth made me a mother, a warrior, and completely changed my life. Freya's birth made me powerful, confident, and completely changed my life. It's been nearly two weeks and I still can't believe I did it. I gave birth on The Farm. I gave birth in a cabin, not a hospital. I gave birth without any pain relief. It is all so surreal.
This time there was no medicine, no IV, no monitors. I was free to move. In fact, I was encouraged to move even when I didn't want to. I was encouraged to eat and drink to maintain my strength, unlike in the hospital. My midwife was with me the whole time, not just to catch the baby and leave. Everything was done on my time. I never once felt like I was just another patient or that my baby was just part of another routine. From the moment she was born, my baby never left my side. Actually, she never left my bed. And Maxine was with us the whole time. She was asleep, but I felt her presence.
Looking back on our week at The Farm, I wouldn't have done anything differently. I don't know if it was the acupuncture, the walking, the pumping, the castor oil, the membrane sweep, the hot sauce, or the prayers that started labor. It could have been some, all, or none of the above. Personally, I think the threat of going to hospital and Carol telling me she was leaving played major roles. All I know is my baby came when she was ready, with perhaps a little encouragement.
I will never have a baby in a hospital again, if I can help it. It's just not for me. The recovery after a natural birth has been so easy. Heck, I had a baby at 12:38am, slept a little bit, and went home that same day! Freya has been the most pleasant, easiest baby ever. I'm sure a big part of it is just her personality, but I can't help but think that her peaceful, natural birth played a part in it. After she was born and everyone went home or to bed, Pat and I sat in the bed with our new baby. I remember saying, "This moment right here makes it all worth it." I would do it all again to have that peaceful, quiet, intimate moment. I wasn't all groggy from drugs. I wasn't in pain from stitches. I wasn't being rushed to a postpartum room while my baby was being sent to the nursery. I was getting to know my Freya. I had earned that moment with her and Pat.
I can't help but feel proud of what I accomplished. I am forever grateful to my midwives, my husband, my mom, my Julie, my body, and my baby for making it all possible. That kind of sounds like an acceptance speech, like I just won some award. But that's kind of how it feels.
This time there was no medicine, no IV, no monitors. I was free to move. In fact, I was encouraged to move even when I didn't want to. I was encouraged to eat and drink to maintain my strength, unlike in the hospital. My midwife was with me the whole time, not just to catch the baby and leave. Everything was done on my time. I never once felt like I was just another patient or that my baby was just part of another routine. From the moment she was born, my baby never left my side. Actually, she never left my bed. And Maxine was with us the whole time. She was asleep, but I felt her presence.
Looking back on our week at The Farm, I wouldn't have done anything differently. I don't know if it was the acupuncture, the walking, the pumping, the castor oil, the membrane sweep, the hot sauce, or the prayers that started labor. It could have been some, all, or none of the above. Personally, I think the threat of going to hospital and Carol telling me she was leaving played major roles. All I know is my baby came when she was ready, with perhaps a little encouragement.
I will never have a baby in a hospital again, if I can help it. It's just not for me. The recovery after a natural birth has been so easy. Heck, I had a baby at 12:38am, slept a little bit, and went home that same day! Freya has been the most pleasant, easiest baby ever. I'm sure a big part of it is just her personality, but I can't help but think that her peaceful, natural birth played a part in it. After she was born and everyone went home or to bed, Pat and I sat in the bed with our new baby. I remember saying, "This moment right here makes it all worth it." I would do it all again to have that peaceful, quiet, intimate moment. I wasn't all groggy from drugs. I wasn't in pain from stitches. I wasn't being rushed to a postpartum room while my baby was being sent to the nursery. I was getting to know my Freya. I had earned that moment with her and Pat.
I can't help but feel proud of what I accomplished. I am forever grateful to my midwives, my husband, my mom, my Julie, my body, and my baby for making it all possible. That kind of sounds like an acceptance speech, like I just won some award. But that's kind of how it feels.