First Time Mom’s Home Birth
When I first found out I was pregnant I instantly knew having a home birth was something I always wanted. I first learned about “Birth Blossoms” through a friend of mine and I knew that it would be a perfect match. I spoke with Mary and she answered all the questions I had. For being a first time mom I was worried if I would be asking all the wrong questions or if it would be a burden to ask away. BUT OMG it was the opposite! Mary welcomed me with open arms and introduced me to her daughter Hailey who was assigned as my midwife. They both are truly amazing!
As months went on through my pregnancy, Hailey helped get me ready for the big day! All the appointments never felt rushed. It felt like my fiancé and I were a part of an extended family. The staff at the office were amazing. Hailey told my fiancé and me about local birth classes we could attend which was the best and had us prepared. It eased a lot of the nerves I had of home birth. She helped me find my match for a doula which I chose Ashley Propper, who also was amazing at making me feel comfortable with the idea of home birth, they gave me so much reassurance of my choice to do it at home and that I had a great support team by my side.
January 18th, 2023 comes around as I walked 5+ hours around stores just trying to do anything to jumpstart my labor. I got home, jumped in the shower and what I assume was either my water breaking or mucus plug came out. Without panic, I messaged Hailey and gave her a heads-up. Not too much contractions but I definitely knew those weren’t Braxton Hicks anymore.
By the next morning, it was definitely uncomfortable to sleep and Hailey stopped by to check in on me and moments after Ashley as well. It wasn’t time yet but we all agreed baby boy was making an entrance sometime that night of the 19th or early morning of the 20th. I wasn’t contracting closer in minutes yet but boy did that take a turn! A little while after Ashley came by again and helped walk with me around the block as we timed each contraction. I remember just hearing “it’s time to set up the pool” and from that moment on it was meditation time.
Later in the evening Hailey came by along with her Birthing Assistant Yolanda and it really settled in that I’m going to have a baby. Hours of contractions and a lot of comb gripping. Yup… Haircombs helped me through the pain. It’s an amazing technique to help distract your mind when going through contractions. Soaking my body in the pool and surrounded by low lights and meditation music plus a lot of back rubs and soothing methods provided by Hailey, Ashley and the people closest to me. Little man was on his way. I remember going to lay on my bed and Hailey checking to see how many centimeters I dilated. It was time!!! Hailey & Ashley guided me to push to crown the head. Let’s just say.. I didn’t make it back into the pool haha. I knew if he was on his way out then on the bed I stayed! You never know how your birth will be. But it was the most powerful I’ve felt. And just like that on January 20, 2023 @ 6:00am my baby boy Malakai made his entrance. The care afterwards was great. Hailey had done a few tiny sutures on me but it was painless. Everyone made sure Baby and I were well. They helped me get comfortable before they left to give our family alone time. The check-ins and visits afterward were so helpful.
These women will forever be a part of my heart! They truly helped me birth a beautiful baby boy. And I’m forever grateful. Thank you to Mary, Hailey, Ashley & Yolanda for making my first homebirth amazing and memorable! I recommend anyone wanting to have an amazing home birth to definitely go with Birth Blossoms. These women are amazing at what they do.
Amanda Reyes