Oct
11
2009
11
2009
The Homebirth of Lucia Mae from Sara Janssen on Vimeo.
Nothing could have fully prepared me for the emotions that washed me as we welcomed a new little person into our family just four months ago. Before she was born, I tried to imagine what it would be like…but that amazing moment when she took her first breath and was finally HERE..that’s when I truly grasped how my life has been forever changed.
On the morning of May 29, I woke up at 5am with a few contractions. I laid there for about 2 hours, timing them and wondering. Around 7, I decided that this was it and we started to make the preparations for birth. Matt filled the tub, I got my “birthing clothes” on and we called Rebecca, our midwife. She said to call her back when the contractions were coming closer together. Bella hopped into the tub with me for a little scuba diving practice and we had some really special “last moments” together as just us.
Around 10:30 a.m., we called Rebecca back and things were starting to progress. I had been walking around the house, chatting with my mom and dad (who arrived from Iowa 2 nights before), walking out to the ally and back again. I would stop to have a contraction, and then keep going on with what I was doing. But by 11am, I felt like I needed to be more focused on each contraction, so I went in the bedroom and sat on the birthing ball.
The ball was my best friend. My contractions were low and in my hips/back. It felt great for me to bounce and put my hands on my hips during each one and press down hard while I vocalized. However, when anyone else tried to take over the task of pressing on my hips, it HURT SO BAD. So, after swatting both Matt and Rebecca away from me, I went at it in solitude.
I could feel myself slowly slipping into a laborland…a blissful state where the only thing that mattered was seeing my baby. The contractions continued to intensify. Rebecca and her assistant, Katie would come in to check the heart tones, but they never checked dialation per my request and all I can remember Rebecca saying was “you’re doing great…keep doing it”. They would occasionally offer me some Recharge to sip on (oh my word…I love the grape flavor!) and a cool wash cloth for my forehead. Most of the time, I was completely unaware of who was in the room and even fell asleep between contractions toward the end. I would wake myself up when I heard snoring…and then I would laugh. ☺
I had spent the last couple of days prior creating my perfect birth musical playlist. At some point in labor, I demanded that it be turned OFF because it was annoying me. So much for my baby entering into the world with the voice of Jason Mraz crooning in the background.
One thing I remember from all of my prenatal appointments with Rebecca was that we should have have “no expectations” of the birth experience. She reminded me to just go with the flow and listen to my body…and this is one of the many reasons why I love her so much.
From the moment we met Rebecca, we knew that she would be a perfect fit for our family. She is kind, compassionate, intuitive, and she truly respects the birth process. She is incredibly knowledgeable in so many areas…we felt confident that we could bring any question to her and she would have the answer. She empowered ME to trust my body and let birth unfold in the way it’s supposed to. The best part…we didn’t just gain a midwife in this process, we gained a friend for life.
I chose to focus on the word “open” during my labor…I never said the entire word out loud, but I would say “oooooooohhhhhhhhhh” in a low and loud voice whenever a contraction would come on. It was the best pain medication EVER. As soon as I stopped vocalizing, the pressure would get stronger.
Feeling Lucy move down through the birth canal was the craziest feeling…with every contraction, I could feel her get a little closer to emerging. I never “decided” to push…my body just did it on it’s own and when I felt myself wanting to bear down, I just went with it. There came a time when I knew I must be in transition because my internal voice was saying “Wow…when is this going to be over? It hurts.” And as soon as I thought that to myself, I was glad because I knew it was close!
At this point, I sensed a shift in Rebecca…and she asked Matt if he wanted to catch his baby. That question quickly snapped me out of la-la land and I was ON IT. Let’s DO THIS! I reached down and felt Lucy’s head emerging. My waters still had not broken.
On the next contraction, I felt her crowning and remember my voice getting higher…I looked at Rebecca and she reminded me to stop pushing and make the “puh puh puh” sound with my mouth to slow down the crowning and avoid tearing. And then…she was born. Her head “popped” out along with the water sac, and I felt and immediate sense of relief. I reached down and felt her head and on the next contraction the rest of her body slipped out, into her Daddy’s hands and she was placed on my chest. 2:59 p.m…a miracle is born.
There are no words to describe that moment. She was here. She was perfect. I counted her fingers and toes and grinned from ear to ear. Bella was in charge of announcing if it was a boy or a girl…but the cord was blocking the view and made it look like her was a boy. When we finally realized it was a girl, I was in SHOCK! I was sure it was a boy the entire pregnancy. I had random old women in Costco coming up to me to tell me I was having a boy. Along with every other person in my life. We had an entire dresser full of little boy clothes with not one pink onesie in sight. And yet, her SHE was. A sweet little girl. A sister for my Bella. Oh what joy filled my heart.
We announced that her name would be Lucia Mae…Lucy for short. The rest of the afternoon was a blur of snuggling, calling, smiling, crying, loving…I nearly drove my mom crazy because I wanted to be the one to tell my four siblings the news. I was waiting until things calmed down a bit before I called…but she could hardly contain her excitement. ☺
The night before I went into labor, I had a dream. In the dream, I walked through an open door and my Grandma was standing in front of me with her arms outstretched. She was vibrant, healthy and smiling. She embraced me. As we held each other, she whispered, “It’s ok…it’s time”. I stepped back from her and then she was gone.
This dream came just one day after her funeral back in Iowa. A funeral that I could not attend…being that I was about to give birth. It was devastating for me to miss saying goodbye to her…and yet I felt her presence with me so strongly those last couple of days before Lucy was born. She was still there with me. And even as we said goodbye to Baba…we welcomed a NEW life into the world. The incredible circle of life and death.
It was such a blessing to have my mom and dad at her birth…they were able to be at Bella’s birth as well. They drove straight to Bozeman from Iowa after the funeral and I can only imagine the emotions and stress that they were going through….and yet they drove 16 hours to be with us. I will always treasure the memories I have of my mom and Bella as they watched Lucy join this world…and of my dad as he patiently waited in the living room as his first born child became a mother once again.
It has been quite a transition to add a second child into our family after 5 years of just one…and yet it’s the most wonderful thing that we’ve done thus far. The depth of our relationships with each other have changed and grown, and watching Bella with Lucy brings me to tears.
Lucy is now 4 ½ months old and is changing every day. She laughs out loud and her sister’s funny faces. She chews on everything she can get her hands on. It seems her legs have a new roll on them every time I change her diaper. She loves being in the Moby and the excitement that overtakes her every time she realizes she is about to nurse is just too wonderful.
We can’t imagine life without her…and can’t wait to see her little personality emerge. God is good.
Photography by myself and Alicia Caine
Midwifery Care by Rebecca at Green Midwife
Songs:
The Story by Brandi Carlile
Lullaby by the Dixie Chicks
If you are having trouble viewing the Vimeo video, it’s on YouTube here as well.
Posted by Sara @ 2:19 pm | Leave a Comment
13
2009
Thank you for sharing this wonderful and exceptional moment of your life with those who are trying to prove the world that another way of living life is possible!!
I´ve been deeply touched by this!
Namaste
Val
13
2009
Beautiful pictures!!!! What a lovely, lovely day.
13
2009
The story, the video, the baby girl… it’s all so beautiful. This is my first visit here, but I’m overjoyed for you and your family.
My son was also born at home with the sac intact (although we didn’t plan to have him there!), and it’s such a neat thing to see!
13
2009
this story is beautiful and so is your family, you are truly blessed. do u have any recommendations on the pool you used to give birth in?
13
2009
sara, thank you for sharing this lovely video and your wonderful story…..absolutely beautiful! you are such a beautiful soul……….so much like your mamma, my friend……….
13
2009
Shania…it was the La Bassine birth tub. Loved it!
13
2009
Thank you for sharing the miracle of your precious little one’s arrival. The video was beautifully done, and the music was perfect! Truly a gift that is a blessing and a privilege to watch. My heartfelt gratitude!
14
2009
Beautiful, Sara. Thank you so much for sharing with everyone!!!
We had the same incident with the cord with Lydia – Eric was out in the hallway telling the family that she was a boy — oops!
I can relate to the playlist stuff, too! I did that FOUR times, and each time I demanded at some point that it be SILENCED! ha!
I love home birth. I am so thankful to have it as an option. Thanks again – your family is beautiful and blessed with an eternal heritage and the radiance of Jesus
14
2009
A friend on facebook posted this video, I reposted it so more and more friends can enjoy! So beautiful and made me cry! Looks like you have an amazing happy home – Best wishes!
14
2009
sara, that was beautiful…i cried pretty much through the whole thing. homebirth does that to me. this just brings me closer to the idea of being a doula. what an amazing blessing from god we are given as women, to be able to experience something so amazing and powerful!
14
2009
This is so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing!
May I ask what program you used to make your video?
Blessings!
Beth
14
2009
Beth…I used iMovie on my Mac. You can also use a program called Photoshow. I believe you can download a free version of that…check Google.
15
2009
Lovely story! My little girl will be 5 months on the 18th of this month, so I understand the joy you have with you right now. They are the most wonderful gift God gives! I also love how excited my Evie gets when she is about to nurse, she grabs a hold of my shirt and tries to suck me in. So cute!
15
2009
I have been waiting for your birth story! Thank you so much for sharing. I must say that I truly believe that you will change the home birthing world! Your video may just be the positive, inspiring story that women need to feel confident in their birthing choices. You are once again such a blessing.
15
2009
oh, so amazing! beautiful.
15
2009
it DOES NOT get any more beautiful than that. thank you for sharing.
15
2009
Thank you so much, Sara! I do have imovie on my mac…I’m just not used to it yet! I’ve made one movie on it, but was disappointed that it does not automatically sync the transitions of the photos to the “beat” of the music….
Blessings,
Beth
15
2009
Beautiful – the story and pictures. What a blessing your children will be to you and what a blessing you will be to them.
16
2009
what a beautiful birth. i am expecting my first in january, a home birth as well and cant wait to meet Stella for the first time. i was sobbing watching your whole pic show, it was just beautiful. i wish you all the best in the world. congrats to you and your beautiful family. (i am a friend of Catina in Jville, Fl), oh, and the songs you chose were perfect, i think i might have to use them as well.
16
2009
As a midwife, I wish to thank you for reminding so many of us why we serve the families we do. Homebirth is one of the most profound and intimate experiences a family will ever take part in. Many blessings to you and your lovely family.
Shelley Spurlock, Treasure Valley Midwives, Boise, Idaho
16
2009
Sara,
That was absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!! It almost makes me want to go back in time and have home births for my 12 and 11 year olds.
17
2009
Hi,
We (my wife & I — parents of 3) just found your website, and we are amazed with the great video and the incredible experience that it must have been. Just wanted to congratulate you and your family for this.
17
2009
absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. thank you for sharing this precious moment with us.
17
2009
HOme births are the best , I had both of my Boys at home 5 years apart. my oldest was the first one to hold the new baby, and to this day the are like best friends one is 20 and one is 15, thanks for telling your storey. las vegas maryanne
18
2009
That was beautiful! The joy on everyone’s faces at the moment of Lucia’s birth was wonderful to see.
18
2009
Thank you so much for posting both this story and the video…we’re expecting our first little one in January, hopefully a water birth at home, and it was so inspiring to watch and read all of this! It was so beautiful…
I have a rather odd question…what do you use for “birth clothes”? I noticed in the video that you were wearing what looked like a halter bikini top and some kind of stretchy-looking black skirt…where did you get the skirt? Lately I’ve been wondering what I’ll wear birthing as I want to wear something, but wasn’t exactly sure what would get in the way of a water birth…any suggestions or tips?
Thank you so much for any info…have a glorious day!
19
2009
Positively beautiful. I loved the images, the music, the way the intimacy of each moment was captured. If I could do things over, I would have birthed my 3 at home.
20
2009
Very sweet, Sara…
20
2009
Jessica T…my birth clothes consisted of a stretchy t-shirt material skirt from Old Navy maternity and a bikini top I’ve had forever. With Bella, I didn’t wear anything, but I wanted to be able to show most of the photos this time, so I kept it on.
Obviously I didn’t wear anything on the bottom once things got rolling. 
20
2009
This was beautiful! Congrats!
21
2009
what a wonderful birth story! Every one is so unique and beautiful, thank you for sharing Lucy’s here!
Sarah M
21
2009
Congratulations, warrior mama! Beautiful vimeo:) One of our all time favorite books is Welcome Home! Blessings to you and your beautiful family. Sometimes the days seem long, but the years will fly by.
23
2009
What a beautiful, beautiful slideshow? video? (What are they called these days?!) I’m off to get a tissue now.
24
2009
Sara, this was so beautiful, it made me cry. What a wonderful experience it must have been.
Love, Eliza
25
2009
That is SO beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us all! As our daughter is investigating birth options, a friend sent the link to your incredible blog. It looks like a true family experience.
Gratefully, Ruth
25
2009
How absolutely perfect. Such a beautiful setting. Rebecca was our doula at our home birth (before she became a midwife) and she did a fabulous job back then 5 years ago. Thank you so much for posting this. Home birth is truly a wonderful thing.
26
2009
This was so beautiful. Thank you for shanring it. This is how it should be. Your video brought me to tears(happy ones). You have a beautiful family. Ah! You just made me want to have 10 more babies. LOL
27
2009
I love the movie
I am glad that all want well for you. Happy Babymoon!
~Erin~
27
2009
Thank you for sharing your lovely and life-affirming birth story with us. One hears so many traumatic stories it’s good to redress the balance with one that is both natural and tranquil.
28
2009
Hi Sara, What a beautiful tribute to you and your family. You had the birth experience I so wanted to have, but had to have two c sections instead. The video brought me to tears. I have two sons, and life with two is so wonderful and complicated and overwhelming and fantastic. Best of luck to you and your family, it gets easier when they both potty trained! ~Vonnie
28
2009
Oh, oh, oh… congratulations. (We were just talking about you today. My Littlest still remembers your RV and says she liked that it had its own bed.
7
2009
wow, that was lovely to read. I love the look on your mom’s face as she held her granddaughter and watched you deliver another one. precious.
13
2009
What a beautiful post. Watching this bring back the emotions of birthing my daughter. She was born a couple weeks before your daughter!
18
2009
gorgeous! I had both of my daughters at home, thought not in a birthing tub. she’s beautiful! and love that you can see her dimple right away! tara
21
2009
*CONGRATULATIONS!* on your baby blessing! What a beautiful vid and story! After four homebirths I just had a hospital birth, so I never got to use the tub that sat in my living room for sooo long… Still, the PRIZE was worth it! ~smile~ ((((HUGS))))) sandi
11
2010
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12
2010
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8
2010
just saw this after you linked to, and its breathtaking. need a hankie after that one! <3
janene
11
2010
I adore Barbara . What would life be without her! I pray that she is going to be better and better!
12
2010
Thankyou so much for your blog. It’s brought an epiphany to my World
… we share a 29th of May babe – I have a Poppy Mae – it’s a small World ♥ Much love, Leah