Ila's Birthday

Lee Ila Ann Mathis

4/12/12 10:11 AM

9lbs 23 inches

I’m in love and it’s indescribable.

This is a very poorly written rough draft of the birth. Yes, it did hurt, but the pain isn't comparable to the power I had by being in full control of her birth. I can’t imagine having done it any other way. It was perfect. She is perfect.

11:00 PM Post to Twitter “Contractions galore.” They weren’t painful at all, just consistent, so I go to sleep with no thought of what was to follow.

2:00 AM Wake up to strong contractions, “This could be it.” I tracked the frequency on my own for about an hour before waking Ev up.

3:45 AM We decide that it’s probably time to call the midwife. Pam (our Midwife) suggests that I hop in the Jacuzzi, start drinking and eat a bit. Ev and I call our mothers to let them know. My mom, being in CA, started the 7-hour drive as soon as she could. His mom, in AL, couldn’t just drive out but is making her way here next week. My father, unfortunately, was planning on making the drive with my mom but was in Japan on business.

4:45 AM Over the chlorine smell so I rinse off and manage my way back upstairs to dry off. The Midwife and her assistant Alicia arrive and check me right away. I am 4 centimeters dilated. Contractions were building stronger so Ev filled the bath and I jumped in.

I have no idea what happened from 5 till 8. I was exhausted and could barely focus. I might have said “F*** THIS” a few times…

8:00 AM I was dilated to 9 centimeters and our friends, Steven & Brennah, were headed over to start filming. I worked through four contractions while applying makeup.

8:30 AM Steven started filming and Brennah took over photo duty. I didn’t say hi, nothing was on my mind except for getting the baby out. Holding back for the sake of looking good was out of the question.

I screamed, LOUD. And cursed more.

9:45 AM Dilated to 10 centimeters, it was time to push! A burst of energy and excitement arrived and nothing was going to stop me. Continue cursing… then, I could feel her head. It was magical. I pushed and pushed and pushed… then pushed some more. Surprisingly, the pushing was nothing compared to the contractions. Knowing that I could push meant results were in reach!

10:00 AM Pam told Ev it was time to move in front of me, time to catch the baby.

10:11 AM I felt a tear and Ev saw me tear. It didn’t matter. Ev caught our daughter and rested her on my chest. She is beautiful. Later I learned that her right arm and head came out together, thus the tearing.

Interested in having an all natural home birth? It was wonderful. In my outlandish opinion, I think you're crazy to go to a hospital and expect a natural birth.  I now understand why so many accept them in the hospital. It was painful but I can honestly say I am capable of anything. I would do it again, over and over again. 

A Blessed Beginning Childbirth Services