• Shop
    • Made to Give Life Planner
    • Bible Reading Plans
    • Your Intentional Family Homeschool Planning Guide
    • Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum for Toddlers
  • Resources
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Mission Statement
    • Goal Action Plans
    • 2022 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge
    • Bible Reading Plans
    • Monthly Checklists
    • Deals and Freebies for Christian Women
  • About
  • 2022 Planner
  • SHOP
  • Search
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Intentional By Grace

Made to give life.

  • Shop
    • Made to Give Life Planner
    • Bible Reading Plans
    • Your Intentional Family Homeschool Planning Guide
    • Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum for Toddlers
  • Resources
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Mission Statement
    • Goal Action Plans
    • 2022 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge
    • Bible Reading Plans
    • Monthly Checklists
    • Deals and Freebies for Christian Women
  • About
  • 2022 Planner
  • SHOP
  • Search

Samuel’s Birth Story – Part 1

Disclaimer: This is a birth story. One in which certain terms will be used in the hopes to give a complete and accurate picture of my experience. Please read at your own discretion.

It’s nine days after the birth of our little boy, and I am still amazed that he is actually here. We’re settling into a routine and adjusting much more quickly than I ever dreamed possible. What amazing grace! He’s snuggled into the baby bjorn now, and I’m hoping he will stay asleep long enough for me to get the bulk of his story written. ;) So here goes nothing …

Labor began looooong before his arrival was even on the horizon. At 38 weeks, we had a check up at Lisa Ross to check on his position. He was confirmed head down and very, very low. We went home wondering and making guesses on when he would arrive. Because he was so low, I was incredibly uncomfortable and truly wondered if I could make it to 40 weeks if he chose to take that long. Fortunately, call it the mother sense, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before labor would begin and our little boy would begin his descent into this world.

The night of our 38 week check up, first stage labor began. The contractions began that evening after dinner. While playing games, I began to keep track of my contractions. When the contractions were only 2-3 minutes apart, we thought surely they would intensify at any given moment. Alas, they did not, and we all went to bed a little disappointed. However, we were hopeful that tomorrow was a new day. Surely tomorrow would be THE DAY!

This went on for 7 full days. Contractions all day every day. They would get as close as 4 minutes apart, but they never once hurt. I thought surely this wasn’t what real labor would be like. Thankfully, I wasn’t naive enough to believe that it was “this easy.”

At our 39 week check up, Tuesday, January 11th,  we chose to let the midwife check our dilation and effacement. Much to our amazement I was 4 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced. Wow! The contractions I had been experiencing were actually doing something. We were so encouraged.

As the day wore on, the contractions slowed down. I took a nap around dinnertime because I knew I needed some extra rest. After dinner, the contractions began again. I wasn’t excited. To be frank, I ignored them entirely. I was very accustomed to the starting and stopping by this point. However, Mark and my sister were determined to help these contractions and this labor along. They were tired of waiting. So what did they do to take matters into their own hands?

At 10 pm, they cranked up the dance music and proceeded to have a dance party in our bedroom. I think we literally laughed me into active labor. Here take a look …

What a sweet memory we made that night. Obviously, we were goofing around and never dreamed that this was actually the night labor would begin. There is a video as well that I might post soon, but it needs a little bit of editing first. ;)

In addition to the dance party, I drank a strong cup of Raspberry Leaf Tea, did some acupressure (thumb to the roof of my mouth), and we even did a little nipple stimulation. These are all natural ways to induce labor. I’m not sure I would ever do nipple stimulation again though. The reason is that it’s supposed to increase the intensity of your contractions to get labor moving along. I have to wonder if they were more intense because of the nipple stimulation. Unfortunately, I can’t prove or disprove this theory.

Once the dance party came to a close, we decided to pile up in our bed and watch a movie. Check out this sight to see …

Mark was reviewing the Bradley Method of labor, I’m doing the acupressure, and Mandi is keeping track of the contractions. The movie is primed and ready to begin. However, we never made it to the movie. I simply could not get comfortable in the bed. I was restless and asked Mark to make me a hot bath. Something told me that I needed to relax and rest.

I dissolved into the sea of warm and goodness at 11:32 pm. I listened to music and just allowed my whole body to relax. Mark and Mandi took turns sitting with me as everyone else began to prepare the birth center bags – contractions were about 3 minutes apart. Mark intermittently warmed the tub for me, and took the liberty to call a midwife to let them know that we were having contractions 2-3 minutes apart (again). The midwife on call told us to continue doing what we were doing and call back in 30 minutes to let her know how we were doing.

Around 12 – something, things took the turn we had been waiting for. I felt my first active labor contraction and told Mark, this is it and I think we need to leave now. My contractions were 2-3 minutes apart already, and I will never forget my first active labor pain. It was … very different. I had one and then another and then another … Mark called the midwife on call and told her that things were definitely picking up and this was in fact the real thing. Come to find out the midwife we were talking to was already at the hospital with another birthing mom, and we would be meeting the 2nd on call, Lisa! I was elated!!! This was the midwife I had been praying for to be at my delivery. :)

Once out of the tub, I told Mark to have a talk with the ladies who would be attending the birth and let them know that I needed them to not talk when I was in the middle of a contraction. Each one then proceeded to carry out our plan with such perfection that even my planning brain couldn’t think of a single thing we had forgotten. I probably asked Mark a million questions in between each contraction, “Do we have food?” “Do we have blankets?” “Don’t forget my toiletries.” And with each question or statement I was informed that everything was already taken care of. I am so thankful for my amazing birthing team (Mark, Mom, Mandi, Susan, and Mary Beth).

At this point, the contractions definitley took extreme concentration, and leaning into Mark while swaying was the only comfortable position. Since they were coming one on top of the other, I began to worry if I was actually going to make it to the birth center. With each one, I’d stop and grab Mark and try to relax my whole body. They would subside and we would continue our rush to get out the door.

Now would be a good time to mention that our little southern town got its first REAL snow in years the night I went into labor. The roads were all covered in snow and did I mention … ice? Yeck!

The ride to Lisa Ross is the only time that I cried during the entire labor. The bumps and railroad tracks were brutal to the contractions. They were not conducive to relaxing, and I felt every. single. contraction. with. great. intensity. Thankfully, we only live minutes from the birth center.

We arrived at the birth center at 1:30 am. Lisa began filling the birthing tub immediately. I got undressed and she checked my progress. I was 6 centimeters and 90% effaced. I remember thinking, “Only 6 centimeters? You have GOT to be kidding me…” However, I didn’t have time to dwell on this as the contractions got stronger and stronger and the infamous back labor began. I moved to all fours while I waited for the tub to fill.

To be continued …

You can read Part 2 here.

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares

Filed Under: Motherhood, Pregnancy & Childbirth

About Leigh Ann Dutton

Leigh Ann Dutton is the wife to the man of her prayers, Mark, and mama to four loveable little cherubs. She takes joy in spending her days creating memorable moments with her family, studying God's Word, reading good books, and enjoying God's creation. She does it all by the grace of God.

Previous Post: «5 reasons why I want a water birth Water Birth: Why We Chose This Route
Next Post: Samuel’s Birth Story – Part 2 »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Samuel’s Birth Story – Part 2 | Intentional By Grace says:
    May 10, 2011 at 10:22 am

    […] Giving Up on Me    Samuel’s Birth Story – Part 1 […]

  2. Menu Plan: Getting Back on Track with a Freezer Cooking Marathon | Intentional By Grace says:
    June 5, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    […] In addition to our regular menu plan, I have plans for a Freezer Cooking Marathon this week. I have not done this yet with a baby, but I am convinced that Freezer Cooking is a must for us. There are days when I’m just too exhausted to cook, and I have wished for my stash of freezer meals that I had when Samuel was first born. […]

  3. Dale Shea’s Prenatal Pilates DVD Review and Giveaway | Intentional By Grace says:
    July 27, 2011 at 6:03 am

    […] by RSS feed or Email so that you don't miss a post! Thanks for visiting!Now that our little boy, Samuel, has made his appearance, and we’ve decided to keep him , I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do […]

  4. Settling in Slowly But Surely | Intentional By Grace says:
    August 9, 2011 at 9:32 am

    […] wonder if it hasn’t been the longest eleven days of my life, but then I remember being in first stage labor for a week and think maybe not. Nevertheless, as I told you last week, this move has been one of the more […]

  5. How Can I Change If I Am Not Willing says:
    December 17, 2011 at 10:35 am

    […] am reminded of the pains of labor. Before I have fully rested from one contraction, I’m entering a new wave of pain; thus rendering […]

  6. Intentional Conversations: Are You Uncomfortable? {the written version} says:
    January 12, 2012 at 7:32 am

    […] Intentional Conversation. However, it is just not possible. With a teething baby (whose birthday is today by the way), and a lot to do for our party this weekend, I must step aside and trust my […]

  7. Someone Turned UNO and We Had a Party says:
    January 25, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    […] man, I can’t believe my baby just turned one! It truly feels like just yesterday that we were announcing his arrival into this world. Now, here I sit, reminiscing this last year and praising God for the gift Samuel is to […]

  8. 10 Reasons We Opted to Give Birth at a Birth Center says:
    May 9, 2012 at 5:02 am

    […] The birth of our little boy was a day of so much joy, as is the birth of any baby, of course! One of the things that I love about where we live is the freedom to choose the setting in which we would like to bring our bundles of joy into this world. […]

  9. 10 Reasons We Opted to Give Birth at a Birth Center {Guest Post} | The Humbled Homemaker says:
    July 10, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    […] The birth of our little boy was a day of so much joy, as is the birth of any baby, of course! One of the things that I love about where we live is the freedom to choose the setting in which we would like to bring our bundles of joy into this world.We opted to give birth in a birth center, and it was a wonderful experience. We chose a birth center over a hospital and home birth for several reasons. […]

  10. Preparing for a Water Birth | The Humbled Homemaker says:
    July 19, 2012 at 7:59 am

    […] births? Here are some resources: Water Birth: Why We Chose this Route by Intentional by Grace Samuel’s Birthing Story by Intentional by Grace Natural Pregnancy by Modern Alternative Mama A Tale of Two Births: Medicated VS. Natural Hospital […]

  11. Why We Chose NOT to Induce Labor | The Humbled Homemaker says:
    August 5, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    […] on our calculations, the due date for our first child fell during my husband’s biggest meeting of the year, which involved a lot of preparation, […]

  12. 7 Ways to Naturally Induce Labor | The Humbled Homemaker says:
    August 6, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    […] I shared with you why we chose not to schedule an induction with our first child. However, because I was in first stage labor almost non-stop for a week, and was 90% effaced and 4 cm dilated at 39 weeks, we were ready to bring our baby into the world. […]

  13. Why We Chose Not to Schedule an Induction with Our First Baby says:
    August 7, 2012 at 7:26 am

    […] on our calculations, the due date for our first child fell during my husband’s biggest meeting of the year, which involved a lot of preparation, […]

  14. 7 Ways to Naturally Induce Labor says:
    August 7, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    […] I shared with you why we chose not to schedule an induction with our first child. However, because I was in first stage labor almost non-stop for a week, and was 90% effaced and 4 cm dilated at 39 weeks, we were ready to bring our baby into the world. […]

  15. Timothy's Home Birth Story - Intentional By Grace says:
    September 24, 2013 at 5:01 am

    […] began one week before Timothy actually made his appearance. This was exactly how my labor began with my first child. The contractions were easy and manageable. They were also coming 4 minutes apart … day-in […]

  16. Share Your Birth Story {Linkup Party!} - Intentional By Grace says:
    September 25, 2013 at 5:01 am

    […] Leigh Ann’s Children’s Birth Stories Samuel’s Birth Story {Part 1} […]

  17. Water Birth: Why We Chose This Route - Intentional By Grace says:
    February 20, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    […] Samuel’s Birth Story {see what I thought of water birth … or not?} […]

  18. Giving Up on Me - Intentional By Grace says:
    February 20, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    […] night was the first night that Mark has looked at me since the birth of our little boy and said, “Why don’t you give him to me? You need a break.” It hurt my pride to hand him […]

  19. No More Excuses: 42 Date Night Ideas for the Date Night Challenged - Intentional By Grace says:
    April 23, 2014 at 6:46 am

    […] masters degree. We’ve started a couple small businesses (you’re reading one of them). Birthed a baby. Housed a twenty year old. Served as community coordinators for an apartment complex. Lost a fish. […]

  20. 20 Ways to Be Intentional in Your Neighborhood {Part 1} - Intentional By Grace says:
    May 15, 2014 at 5:00 am

    […] We worked this job for nearly two years when the Lord moved us to a new place and soon after we became parents to our first little boy. […]

  21. Why I Wrote the Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum for Toddlers - Intentional By Grace says:
    August 21, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    […] and glistening from the pains of labor, I listened to the screams of my newly birthed child. The magnitude of what I just did rushed over me, as I heard the words, “It’s a […]

  22. Do You Do Santa Claus? - Intentional Homeschool says:
    December 9, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    […] the post that I’ve been nervous about writing since we found out we were pregnant with our first little boy. I knew this day would come, and alas it is […]

  23. Dear First Time Mom Who is Waiting on Labor Start - The Humbled Homemaker says:
    January 26, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    […] is the wife to the man of her prayers, Mark, and mama to two loveable little boys, Samuel (born in a birth center) and Timothy (born at home). She takes joy in spending her days creating memorable moments with her […]

  24. 13 Time Saving Tips for the Work at Home Mom - Intentional By Grace says:
    April 28, 2015 at 9:27 am

    […] started Intentional By Grace, I’d work in the cracks of life fitting it in whenever I could. I was a brand new mom who wanted to help support my husband financially while still being home with my […]

  25. 10 Reasons We Opted to Give Birth at a Birth Center {Guest Post} | The Humbled Homemaker says:
    November 16, 2015 at 7:25 am

    […] If you’re interested, you can read my entire birth story with all the details here. […]

  26. 4 Steps Toward Simpler Living - Keeper of the Home says:
    December 12, 2015 at 4:41 am

    […] health improved dramatically and eventually I got pregnant with our first child. I learned about natural birth, and I ended up in a birth center with our first son and giving […]

  27. Still No Baby to Hold - Intentional By Grace says:
    June 1, 2016 at 8:26 am

    […] labor is awful, but it wasn’t the start of a promise. My oldest coming out at 39 weeks and my second coming at 38 weeks wasn’t a promise that this baby would come at 37 weeks. […]

  28. Cary's Birth Story {Part 1} - Intentional By Grace says:
    June 28, 2016 at 5:01 am

    […] both of my boys came earlier than 40 weeks. Samuel was born right at 39 weeks and Timothy was born right at 38 weeks. Around 36 weeks, I started having regular […]

  29. Why We Chose NOT to Induce Labor | The Humbled Homemaker says:
    May 9, 2017 at 8:38 am

    […] on our calculations, the due date for our first child fell during my husband’s biggest meeting of the year, which involved a lot of preparation, […]

Primary Sidebar

Get Inspired

Free Resources

Free Printable Topical Bible Reading Plans

Search the Site

Browse the Archives

Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

IBG

About

Contact

Subscribe

Advertise   |   Disclosure Policy   |   Privacy Policy   |