By Quinn Nelson
Everyone told me to prepare to go past my due date as a first-time mom. I tried to mentally prepare for that but secretly I thought I would go into labor on time or early.
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Boy was I wrong.
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1 day went by, 2 days, 3 days….a week. At 41 weeks I went into the office to see my midwives. (At this point I was starting to get nervous because in the state of TX, at 42 weeks, midwives are legally required to advise you to go to the hospital for induction and can no longer provide care outside of the hospital. I had always planned to have a water birth at home so this made me nervous I may not get to do that.)
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I went in ready to talk about a plan if I went to 42 weeks. After talking with one of my midwives, I decided I would come back in 2 days to get a foley bulb placed, in hopes this would help get labor going and maybe I could still have my home-birth. I didn’t want any sort of intervention, but I knew I wanted a home birth so this was my next best option for me.
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That night, I went home feeling discouraged but also excited. I kept holding onto hope that no matter how this went, I was going to be meeting my daughter within the week. The moment I had been waiting for and dreaming of for years.
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I went to bed that night and I remember just praying and asking God to start my labor.
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That night, around 2am on August 6th, I got up to go to the bathroom and after going, I stood up to wash my hands and thought “why am I peeing myself right now?! I just went. This can’t be my waters?! “ Despite the fact that it was very clearly my waters breaking, I woke Drew and asked him to come confirm.
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I was SO relieved. And so excited but in all the preparation I did, I remembered how important sleep was so I tried to go back to sleep as long as I could so my body would be prepared for the intense parts of labor. My contractions started immediately after my water broke but they were very mild and I was able to get a few more hours of sleep.
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Around 9am, I called one of my midwives to let her know what happened (oops …I was supposed to call as soon as my water broke). Since my water was clear and had no odor and contractions were picking up, she told us to continue doing what we were doing and to call again when contractions became stronger and closer together.
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Around 11am (maybe? Time was fake lol) my contractions became more painful and about 2-3 minutes apart. I was having to really breathe through them and close my eyes to focus. At this point, Drew called our midwife again to let her know what was going on. Being a first-time mom, they expected I would be laboring for a long time so she said she would plan to be there around 6pm with the birth pool but that we could call if we wanted her sooner. Probably 30 minutes later I said, “Drew I need them now” At this point there were almost no breaks. Contractions were coming stronger than ever and the pain was unbearable.
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Side note: I had done so much prep and am obsessed with birth so I listened to numerous birth stories, so I was extremely excited to give birth. At this moment though, I was thinking what did I get myself into?! Never again
Drew called one of our midwives (Joan) to let her know we needed them to come now. She was caught up with another patient, but she let us know that our other midwife (Victoria) was on her way and would be there within the hour.
Around 3pm, Victoria showed up. At this point I’m in so much pain it feels as though I can’t breathe. Victoria checks me and gives me the good news. Quinn, you’re 10 centimeters! You’re about to meet your baby! This is the point where I feel as though I can’t do it anymore (but I knew from everything I had heard that this is a GREAT sign …. That’s usually a sign that you’re almost done)
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I was continuing to have a lot of pain, more than is expected which was due to me having a posterior cervix so mid contraction, Victoria had to go in and pull it forward to hopefully relieve some of the pain (I am probably describing that wrong - I’m no Doctor or midwife ) Victoria continued to monitor my vitals and Rory’s and through this whole process, her vitals remained stable which was such a relief.
Around 6pm (maybe - again what is time?), Joan showed up with the birth pool. I couldn’t talk other than one word answers here and there but remember hearing everything they were saying. At this point, it was too late to set up the birth pool.
I was starting to push.
At 7:24pm on August 6th, as the sun was setting, Rory Blue was born.
I remember feeling such immense relief in that moment. I did it. I got my home birth. My baby girl was here. She was finally here. I was done with all of the pain and extremely hard work to get her here. Victoria placed her on my chest and that was the best moment of my life. If I could pick a moment to relive forever, that would be it.
Rory came out a whopping 9lbs 2oz and I remember one of the first things I said when she was out was “I’m so glad I’m never doing that again”
Well turns out, 10 months out from giving birth, I take that statement back. Sometimes the best things in life take the most work and that’s never been more true. I’m still so fascinated and obsessed with birth and I hope one day I’ll get to experience that birth high again (but maybe this time I’ll make it to the birth pool lol).
I couldn’t be more grateful for my incredible midwives and my absolute rockstar of a husband. My midwives bragged on him so much after our birth. He truly is one of a kind and was the most amazing supporter through the whole birthing process. And now, he’s the most incredible dad to our little girl.
I have been thinking about writing this out for some time and just haven’t been up for it. But tonight, as I was reminiscing on these past 10 months with my girl and planning for her 1st birthday, I knew I wanted it to have a permanent spot. I never want to forget a moment of this day.
August 6th 2025. The most magical day of my life. The day I became a mom to the most beautiful girl I could ever hope for. Rory Blue, you are my whole world.
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