"Each birth is a special unique experience from my 1st to my last. For my 4th son I had the blessing of bringing him into this world at Baby Buddies Birthing Center. Being able to experience a water birth for the very first time. This is our surprise baby and I am much older now than when I had my 3rd son. I was still given the opportunity for a noninvasive birth experience, like I have done in the past. At 35, I was able to go past my due date 40 weeks and 4 days without induction. At 3:30 in the morning labor started and we made our way to the birth center. At 4:30 I was fully dilated with waters still intact. Baby just had to work his way down into the canal and whenever my body was ready he would be born. My CNM Ashley said there was no need for her to break my waters. During a strong contraction my husband advised me it was time to take my socks off and get into the pool. The water felt too warm at first, but once I was in it felt absolutely wonderful! With each contraction I could feel the baby moving further and further down. The only time Ashely, or my nurse Puja, touched me was when my cervix was checked when we arrived, during a couple strong contractions with the fetal Doppler, and when his head came out to make sure he had no cord around his neck. At 5:29 am my 4th son was born in his waters, also known as En Caul, or a mermaid birth. This type of birth is practically unheard of in the hospital setting. I never realized how much monitoring effects a birthing experience until now. Having had all my other boys in hospital, intermittent monitoring was a very impactful aspect of this birth. The other very impactful part of this birth in comparison to my other 3 children, was the pace. Even though he was born in only 2 hours, his birth felt very unrushed. My body was allowed to decide when he would come, not the medical team. I felt my body naturally ejecting this baby from my body with each contraction. Until he began to crown, I never once had to bear down. His head was out for a good 4 minutes, in his waters, before I pushed his shoulders out. My two youngest children captured these moments for me, my 2nd oldest was able to cut his baby brother’s umbilical cord. Being able to share this moment with my boys was a pivotal moment for all of us. To be able to experience birth in this way is one of the most beautiful experiences I have had in my life. Birth doesn’t always have to be scary or painful, requiring medical intervention, it can just be letting go of the control you have over your body and allowing yourself to feel strong and empowered during that brief moment in time. Thank you Baby Buddies and Harmony Health for making all this possible for me and my family."

~Stephanie