Emily’s Breech Birth at Home.

My husband and I never saw ourselves as 'home birthing people'. On our third birth we found Mollie and had a wonderful birth with her in a birthing center. On this our fourth, we were very comfortable with her standard of care and the idea of doing a home birth. We kept the gender of our baby a surprise, though little did we know the overshadowing surprise this baby had in store for us.

Saturday morning I woke to somewhat regular contractions that felt decent. My husband, Bill, had already gotten the birthing pool ready on Wednesday night, as we had thought that was going to be 'the night', so everything was ready to go. Now all we needed were regular strong contractions, sadly by lunch there was nothing. After dinner Bill and I put our other three children to bed and decided to lounge on the couch and watch some TV. Around 10pm I noticed contractions getting stronger but not on a schedule and by midnight I was having semi-strong contractions about 4x an hour. Bill asked what I wanted to do and I decided just to go to bed and try to sleep.

I would say about an hour or two later sleep wasn't really an option. Contractions were still all over the board, again maybe 4 to 5 an hour but just increasing in intensity. At 3:30 I was around 10 minutes apart but at 4am I jumped to 5 minutes apart and was in an increasing amount of pain. I woke Bill up at 4:30 and told him I thought we should call Mollie because of the pain. On the phone I informed Mollie what was going on, but again no need of urgency because contractions were still so far apart. Mollie decided to go ahead and come over, just to be safe.

After getting off the phone laying in bed wasn't an option anymore, I had to be upright and swaying with the contractions. Leaning against doors, dressers or banisters I rocked with each wave. Bill came over to apply pressure on my back as needed. Mollie arrived around 5:15 and asked if I wanted to be checked before getting into the pool, I agreed just to see how far I'd come. Still a tad leery because I felt like the contractions weren't close enough for real progress even though they hurt like nothing else I'd ever felt before, though I had started trembling as a sign of transition. Mollie checked me and right away got a strange look on her face. She asked about the baby's movement and if I had felt any strong turns. I knew baby had decided to go bottom down. Mollie confirmed my suspicion and said on the brighter side she could tell me the baby's sex if I wanted. Laughing through contracting I declined the offer and got into my pool instead as Mollie informed Bill and I of the risks of home breech delivery. Bill asked what I wanted to do and all I knew was I didn't want a cesarian, which I was sure they would give me at the hospital. Mollie had stated I was a very stretchy 7-8 centimeters, so Bill and I decided to stick it out at home and see how we did. We had every confidence in Mollie's ability and my body to make it out okay.

I think I got into the pool around 5:30-5:45am. I don't know if I could have gotten through those last 2-3 centimeters without the water. I was able to move around easily and try as best I could to be comfortable. I never truly 'lost it' but at the end didn't know exactly how to best handle the painful contractions. I was completely aware of my situation and the needs of my body and that of my midwife to care for them. If she needed me to move into a better position for her to check me or the baby I could do it without too much difficulty. Mollie never left my side, nor did my husband. She checked the baby's heartbeat regularly and found that it never dropped nor showed any signs of distress, she comforted me and encouraged me throughout. At one point Mollie asked if I wanted to check the baby's progress myself and see if I could feel anything in the birth canal after a contraction. I checked and felt something spongey and squishy quite close and informed Mollie in some sort of labored breath I'm sure. I figured I had just touched my baby's bottom and was silently elated that she was already so far down. Mollie checked herself and said it was my water bag, slightly disappointed I laughed at myself. Here I was thinking this squishy bag was my baby's bottom!

Not long into being in the pool did I start to feel that urge to bear down. I never tell anyone when I start pushing or bearing down, probably due to my first two hospital births. I just don't want anyone telling me when I can or can not push. Well, Mollie was all over it, without a word she got into position and knew what I was about. I stayed in the pool, which was not the original plan but due to the breech position Mollie advised us that it would be the best place. I bore down during two contractions and then it was game time. I could completely feel my body being taken up by this baby and it was time to get it out! I should state that my water bag never broke. As Emily's bottom and hips emerged they came out in my bag. Only when her legs were able to unfold did they break the water bag. I had that lovely cushion the entire labor and I am ever so thankful I had even that small barrier to help out with pain management. I remember opening my eyes for a moment when her legs came out and seeing her bottom, and not seeing a penis. *laugh* I wasn't 100% but I was pretty certain I had a girl to look forward to. But that thought fled quickly as another contraction hit and I found I still had to push the rest of her out. Mollie quickly got Emily's shoulders and head out and just like that I had a baby to hold. At 6:42am, just after 3 strong pushes, I had a new infant in my arms. She came out perfect, she came out without any meconium or any other sign of distress. The only thing off with the entire birth was the umbilical cord was very short. As soon as we brought her up I could feel it stretching against me causing pain, so we cut her cord somewhat quickly. 

Not a single stitch was needed afterwards. What a blessing that is!  A breech delivery without a tear, try that in a hospital (if they even allow a vaginal delivery at all). After I choose to get out of the pool I was able to shower and get into bed and be with my baby girl and just relax at home. My husband was wonderful and emotional and great. My first three children did wake up and come scrambling out of their room when I delivered Emily due to my loud birthing roar. But after we explained to them that the baby had arrived they were all excited and happy to be apart of her birth even if in a small way. My 3 year old daughter couldn't stay away and got her first lesson of post-birth midwifery care and was a complete angel.

From pool to birth was only an hour or so. I thank God for my husbands willingness to let me be and for Mollie's knowledge and first rate care. I highly doubt we would have made it to the hospital had we chosen to give up on our home birth. And if we did make it, it would have been no where near as beautiful an experience for us. It was a wonderful birth and I doubt I would change it, even the breech position.