My Birth Stories
Makiya Clear
“Beautiful Ocean”
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It all begin on the 13th of September 2003, Makiya Clear was born.
I was more than ready at 42 weeks pregnant.
My contractions began mid-afternoon. They were very light and far between, but we had an hour drive to the birth center, so we decided to get ready and go. Having never done this before I wanted to be prepared and get there early. By the time we got there the contractions had not progressed. Our midwife knew that the baby wasn’t quite ready, so she asked if we could go do something for awhile.
The band that I played in at the time, had a show at the Fargo Theater that night, so we decided to go and watch. At one point during their last set the lead singer/guitar player called me up to play keyboard. I was feeling pretty good and confident that I could play. My contractions hadn’t progressed too much. So my unborn baby and I got up on stage. I sat down at the keyboard and we start to jam. The experience while playing during labor was surreal. The way the white lights were shining down on me felt angelic. I was so in my element and knew that this was the perfect place to be while experiencing the early stages of labor. Toward the end of the show my contractions had begun to pick up and get stronger. It was getting to be a challenge to sit on the bench and focus on the music at times. Once the show was done, we hung out with our friends for a few moments, but the midwife could see that it was time to head back to the birthing center.
Once we returned I hopped in the birthing tub, which had been prepared by the doula. It felt so comforting to be held in the warm water. It was like I was in a womb of my own. I knew then that giving birth in the water was the only way for me. At one point I remember she had me get out of the tub to relieve my bowels. Being out of my womb-like environment, that the warm water created, was the most excruciating moments I had ever experienced in my life.
Soon after that, I was pushing. I don’t recall exactly how long the pushing lasted, it was under 30 minutes though.
I never experienced the “ring of fire” that so many women speak of, I also didn’t tear. I knew it was due to me being in the water.
Makiya Clear came out using her beautiful voice and ready to let it be known that she had arrived. I put her to my breast while still in the birthing tub. She didn’t latch on immediately, but we eventually got the hang of it. We let the umbilical cord get done pulsing and then cut it. After bonding for a bit, it was time to hand her off to daddy and birth the placenta. Once that was done and all checked over for any missing pieces, I was helped into bed and cuddled with my sweet baby girl.
After getting all settled. the midwife and doula went to their own rooms to rest for a bit. A couple hours had passed and I remember waking up next to Makiya and her dad and feeling slightly chilled and wet down below. I didn’t realize I had been bleeding. We called the midwife in and she was surprised to see how much blood I had lost. She began massaging my uterus really hard. It was so uncomfortable and painful, but it had to be done. After the bleeding was under control we rested more and the midwife kept a close eye on me. After a few hours I was feeling better, well rested, and ready to move some. So we gathered ourselves and got ready to go.
We had a celebration to get to!
Now you’re probably wondering why in the world would a woman, who just gave birth, want to go to a party. Well, we had planned Babypalooza, a group baby shower, for the 13th of September. I figured that two weeks would’ve been plenty of time to rejuvenate. I hadn’t even considered that I would go past my due date.
In my mind there was no way I was going to miss it. My band was going to be playing an outdoor show, all my family and friends, including a close friend who I had attended her birth a couple months prior, was going to be there celebrating her baby too.
Hence the name Babypalooza, live music and babies!
Thankfully, my parents were hosting the gathering at my childhood home, so it was a comfortable homey space to be in, only 12 hours after giving birth.
Seeing Makiya all grown up, I now realize why she chose to come when she did. She absolutely loves being on stage and is a beautiful social butterfly. Her Smile is contagious that Brightens up everyone’s day. I love her with my entire being and seeing her as a young adult, I know she is here to do Serve in ways that this world so desperately needs.
Takeo Lee
“Strong Like Bamboo”
My first son came into this world on September 27th, 2006.
It was a glorious sunny Autumn day.
We were living in a place that had two huge south facing picture windows that let so much sunlight into the bedroom.
It felt amazing to bask in the warm sunlight while giving birth!
I knew from the moment I realized I was pregnant, I wanted to give birth on my own. Just me and baby with some help from daddy…a Free Birth.
I read many books. researched, and gathered all the supplies needed to give birth at home unassisted.
I knew that my body could do exactly what it is designed for!
The moment had finally come.
Yes, three weeks late (according to a midwife I had visited once in my first trimester). However, I listened to my body and baby and knew we were both perfectly fine and that everything would happen in divine timing.
Mild contractions began during the night. I was able to rest, but knew that I would be holding baby in my arms soon. Contractions started to pick up and get stronger as the sun rose. We decided it was time to get the birthing tub ready.
As soon as it was at the right temp, I eased in, feeling the warmth of the water relax my entire being.
Again, I knew that giving birth in the water was the only way for me.
Makiya, who had just turned 3, joined me in the tub for a bit and eventually went with a good friend during the more vigorous labor.
After a few hours of intense, focused labor, I finally crowned and felt the head burst forth. Daddy could then see that the cord was loosely wrapped around the neck. He easily slipped it over the head, back to where it was supposed to be. I had found that being in a forward leaning squat was most comfortable. I loved being able to listen to my body and move the way it told me to.
As I waited for the next contraction to come, Daddy watched the face under the water. He described the facial expression as incredibly peaceful. After a few minutes of calmly waiting, the contraction came that brought a 10.5 pound boy into this world. Daddy grabbed him out of the water and I quickly shifted my body to a sitting position so that I could hold him. He didn’t make any sort of sounds or movement. He was sleeping peacefully. His body had good color and wasn’t limp, but I became slightly concerned. So I put my breast to him to see if that would wake him up. This worked and he started wriggling a bit and let out a small cry.
He latched on with ease.
Just as his name implies, Takeo is Strong and Steadfast. He absolutely loves to be home working on artistic endeavors. I love him always and forever and I know he loves me, even through the difficult times.
I know he will Create amazingness all throughout his Life.
After a few hours of intense, focused labor, I finally crowned and felt the head burst forth. Daddy could then see that the cord was loosely wrapped around the neck. He easily sipped it over the head, back to where it was supposed to be. I had found that being in a forward leaning squat was most comfortable. I loved being able to listen to my body and move the way it told me to. As I waited for the next contraction to come, Daddy watched the face under the water. He described the facial expression as incredibly peaceful.
After a few minutes of calmly waiting, the contraction came that brought a 10 1/2 pound boy into this world.
Daddy grabbed him out of the water and I quickly shifted my body to a sitting position so that I could hold him. He didn’t make any sort of sounds or movement. He was sleeping peacefully. His body had good color and wasn’t limp, but I became slightly concerned. So I put my breast to him to see if that would wake him up. It worked and he started wriggling a bit and let out a small cry.
He latched on with ease.
Just as his name implies, Takeo is Strong and Steadfast. He absolutely loves to be home working on artistic endeavors. I love him always and forever and I know he loves me, even through the difficult times.
I know he will Create amazingness all throughout his Life.
Kyan Ira
“Little King”
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My third child came into this world on July 26th, 2012.
Thankfully, it was a cooler summer day. It had been extremely hot the few days before.
By this time in life, we had created a lovely off-grid homestead, so planning a Free Birth was a bit different with no running hot water. We had to plan ahead and make sure that the water temp was just right by heating it up on the stove, 3 gallons at a time.
Thank goodness the birth happened after the sun had risen, this made things much easier, since at that point we were using candles for light.
I had to call Daddy from his overnight job. He had lined up to have someone on call for when the time came. He arrived home and started heating up water immediately. I was impatiently waiting for the moment I could get in the tub to find some relief. I had found myself on the couch leaning over a stool with each contraction. I realized then, what most woman experience when having a birth out of water. It was horrendous. Each contraction was felt so fiercely. I found the only way to endure the pain, was to sing. The melodic tones I created were amazingly soothing.
After what seemed like a century, but in actuality was only an hour or so, the tub was finally ready. I felt so much relief, as I eased into the warm water. I sat there on all fours feeling the water hold me and comfort me.
It wasn’t long after I got in the water when I began to push. I sang out with each contraction. My other two children, sat on the couch and patiently waited for their new baby sibling to be born. They asked Daddy questions and giggled as I sang which I also found comforting. Their laughter brought joy to my heart. They were so excited to meet the new addition to our family.
I sat on all fours, as primal as could be, and after a bit of pushing, I finally gave birth.
We didn’t have a name picked out for sure, but it didn’t take long to know that he would be called Kyan. He was born with his sun sign in Leo, but we had not thought ahead about the fact that Leo is the Lion, the King of the Jungle.
To this day, Kyan still lets it be known he is the ruler of his realm.
I know he was brought to this Earth to Shine his Light.
