Jill’s Birth Story
When I got pregnant with my son, I knew it was on my heart to move forward with midwifery care for a home birth. I was referred to Emme and Grace by a friend of mine and booked my consult. They were caring, confident and knowledgeable. It felt like a good fit right away.
My care during pregnancy was something I so looked forward to! Being able to sit down, relax, drink tea, chat… it was a dream. Those months went by smoothly. Emme and Grace made sure we were on the same page, feeling confident about our goals, and always kept good communication outside of our prenatal visits.
The night I went into labor, I gave Grace a call at 6:30pm saying that I believed my contractions had started! But like many women in their last days of pregnancy, I wasn’t 100% sure. Grace knew my birth history, so she assured me that she would be close by and to call with any changes.
Sure enough after about a half an hour my contractions intensified. On my second call with Grace around 7pm, she let me know that they would head my way- and if things progressed, great! If not, they would simply come back again later. There was never any pressure or doubt coming from either of them. I forgot to mention that this was Christmas Eve! I felt terrible that I was taking them away from their families on this holiday evening, but they assured me all was good and made me feel at ease.
Moments before they arrived, my water broke all over my kitchen floor. My husband was running for towels when Emme and Grace walked in the door. I remember Emme happily saying “I guess that means we’re staying!”
I felt so excited. They allowed me to listen to my body and go with what felt right. Emme listened to my next contraction, informed me that we were close and that I should get into the tub (that my husband was scrambling to fill up!)
Once inside the tub (that Grace was kindly keeping warm with water from the stove!) I felt the urges to push. I remember asking Emme what I should do and she smiled at me saying “You’re doing it right now. Whatever feels right to you.” Her confidence in me made me feel safe and empowered. I breathed through a few more contractions and my son Forrest was born at 8:22pm.
The moments after were magical. My husband, daughter and I got to sit next to the lit-up Christmas tree and stare at this new life in my arms! I was able to birth the placenta and feel secure enough to get out of the tub and into my bed. Grace assisted me as Emme set up for Forrest’s first check-up.
I’ll never forget those moments- Emme weighing him in her cozy scale, checking over his teeny feet and hands, listening to his heart as we had done together so many weeks before.
Once everything was completed, Emme and Grace cleaned up and made sure we were comfortable for the night.
The midwives came by for our check-ins in the days that followed. They were in close contact with amazing support. They were also able to encapsulate my placenta which was such a gift. Emme and Grace have provided us with a birth that changed our lives forever. We are eternally grateful for them!
Jill told her birth story on The Birth Hour podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-birth-hour-a-birth-story-podcast/id1041801905?i=1000592138069
PHOTOGRAPHY: Alexa Kay, https://alexakayphoto.mypixieset.com/
