Warden’s Birth Story | Maine Newborn Photographer

After getting preeclampsia, being induced and needing magnesium with my first son, I had many hopes for the way my second labor experience would go. My goals were to go completely unmedicated, utilize the tub, movement and natural remedies to manage through labor. 

I spent the week before my due date walking around the Fryeburg Fair, hoping the movement would help get labor started. Just after midnight on October 3rd, I began having contractions that were different from the Braxton Hicks I had been feeling the last two days. They were much more intense, and I knew labor was starting. 

I labored at home for 2.5 hours, trying to rest as best I could in between contractions. At some point, our 2-year-old, Bennett, woke up and came into our bed. He wasn’t a fan of the groaning that came with the growing intensity of the contractions, so I handed him off to my parents, and Jordan and I headed to the hospital. 

We arrived around 3:30 a.m., and I was already 4cm dilated and feeling the intensity build. I had been awake for almost 24 hours, so I laid down for a bit to conserve energy. My best friend, Hannah, met us at the hospital and her and Jordan supported me through every contraction using a TENS unit, counter pressure, and a birthing comb. I kept telling myself things weren’t moving quickly, but looking back, I think I was using denial to help cope with the pain.

At 7 a.m., during shift change, I got into the tub. The warm water was a huge relief. My contractions were coming every minute and a half and lasting about a minute each. No IV, no medications, no monitoring — just me laboring, focusing on getting through each contraction and getting closer to meeting our second little boy. 

Then everything suddenly intensified. After a two-minute-long contraction, I told Hannah to go grab someone. I could feel him moving through the birth canal and getting closer. I realized my body was starting to push on its own, so at the next break I got out of the tub. I tried to make it to the bed, but there was no time. 

At 8:02 a.m., I delivered my son right there on the bathroom floor, on my hands and knees, with my husband, Jordan, holding my hand and being my rock through those final moments. I pushed for 7 minutes and then he was here. All 9lbs 1oz of him.

I got my dream labor. This was an extremely healing and empowering experience that I am so thankful for. The hardest thing I’ve ever done, and one of the best things I’ve ever done.