Home birth after three hospital births: Allison’s story
Our next home birth story comes from another mama in our state, Allison, who had her fourth baby at home after three hospital births.
Here’s her story:
“My name is Allison. I'm a birth worker and have served Mississippi moms for the past 7 years. My husband and I decided early on that we wanted to birth our 4th child at home. I have birthed naturally in the hospital, but I just wanted to be home this time.
We chose Melinda Thigpen as our Midwife and we were so pleased with her level of experience and dedication to providing care that would allow us to safely welcome our daughter at home. I had bleeding problems with my previous deliveries and severely hemorrhaged with my second. So, we knew we would take precautions during pregnancy to help with my levels and hopefully lower the amount of bleeding immediately postpartum. At our home visit, I made it clear I wanted everything after the baby was born to be actively managed. I wanted to stay ahead of the bleeding. Thankfully our midwife was skilled and I never doubted she would take care of me and make the call to transfer if needed.
On June 25th I woke up at around 8 AM to my water breaking. I had never experienced this as the start of labor, but I was excited that baby was on her way! I was 39 weeks and my doula who is also Melinda's assistant made her way to my house. I wasn't contracting, but because we live a little ways out it was nice having her here. Susan (my doula and the assistant) did temperature checks and heart tones while I piddled around. Not much happened, but when I would rest I would get very intense contractions - they were just so far apart.
On June 27th, around 1 AM my midwife arrived and labor was progressing on it's own. I labored in bed while my husband rested and around 5-6 AM I woke him to say I wanted to get in the tub. My midwife came into the room after he asked if that was okay and she checked my temp, blood pressure, and did heart tones. Everything looked great and I got in the bathtub while they filled the birth pool. I labored in the tub and moved to the pool as soon as it was ready.
I labored in the pool for a while and I knew I was hitting transition. I started to feel afraid and I said I was scared. I can't remember if I said so, but I was afraid of bleeding to death. My team calmed me and I felt a sudden urge to push. I went along with it, but it didn't feel good so I asked Melinda to check me. She didn't say where I was, but that it wasn't time yet. I didn't care to know, but I knew I had to get out of the tub. As soon as I got out, I lost that urge thankfully and went to the restroom.
After I got out, transition was in full force and I completely lost it. I had a full on tantrum and made it very clear how much I hated what I was doing. Haha! After a while of throwing a fit and trying to figure out why anyone would pay me to help them achieve natural birth, I got on my hands and knees and everything started to feel so much better. I felt calm and focused. I started bearing down and I had my midwife feel to just reassure me that it was my baby I was feeling when I touched just inside of me. I pushed for several minutes and I could tell this baby was bigger than my others.
After about 20 minutes of pushing my little girl was here. She was born into her daddy's arms and I remember hearing him weep with joy. She needed a few breaths and I knew she was okay and in the hands of a wonderful midwife. I leaned over catching my breath while Melinda helped her breathe a little bit and maybe 10 seconds went by before I reached around for her. (She did not need to be resuscitated -- just a little bit of air to help her perk up) When I turned around she was pink and crying. Melinda immediately handed her to me, and my husband and I were so happy to be holding our precious baby!
A few moments went by and my placenta delivered quickly. I immediately noticed I was bleeding more than we'd like and they lifted me into the bed. From there my Midwife and assistant were actively managing the bleeding. I received the proper treatment and a few ammonia sticks to keep me from dozing off. It was a little intense for a bit, but things slowed down and all was well! I am so glad I chose a homebirth and I can't speak enough about having Melinda as our midwife. She was absolutely incredible!
Having a Midwife that is skilled and prepared to do what is necessary is so important. Birth most often can be done without the need of assistance, but having that available makes all the difference in not only safety, but the peace of knowing you are being well cared for is priceless. And we are just so glad we were able to have a peaceful, safe, homebirth.“
