Birth Story - Guest Blog

Getting pregnant was not an easy thing for my husband and I.  I was told right before we got married it was going to be difficult for me to get pregnant due to PCOS.  I didn’t think that would mean losing babies as well.  We decide that we weren’t going to try to prevent pregnancy due to the news from the doctor and wanting to trust God and His timing.  A year and a half after getting married we got pregnant and could not believe it, but something did not feel right.  Turns out my body wasn’t producing the hormones it needed to keep the baby and I miscarried at 7 weeks.  Two months later we found out I was pregnant again and I just knew this time was different.  I had morning sickness and all the typical pregnancy signs.  But, then one day I woke up feeling “normal” I just thought morning sickness was over.  That afternoon I started to miscarry at 9 weeks.  I couldn’t believe it was happening again.  I was heartbroken and trying to understand why I was going through another miscarriage.  But, God is faithful and even in the hard and difficult times He shows that He is good.  December of 2015 I found out I was pregnant for the 3rd time.  A lot of emotions ran through my head as I wanted to be excited, but I was nervous at the same time thinking “was my body going to be able to carry this baby this time?” As the pregnancy progressed I had relief and could finally think about how I wanted to birth this miracle I was carrying.  I always knew I wanted a natural birth, but wasn’t sure where.  After searching the area and finding out that Tricare would cover a birth at the birth center that was where I knew I wanted to delivery!

Fast forward, to the third trimester we were getting prepared for our sweet boy.  We took Bradley Method Classes to prep for the upcoming labor and birth.  Thankfully my husband was the one who suggested doing some type of class. 

Here we are 2 weeks past my due date and the midwife had to talk to me about inducing because in the state of California they have to release care after 42 weeks.  All I could do was pray labor would start in time that I did not have to go to the hospital.  Thankfully it did! After getting acupuncture, using a clary sage and Sclaressence essential oil blend, eating spicy food, some alone time with my husband, a chiropractor adjustment and finally castor oil I was in labor! (Who knows what caused labor to start, haha) And, just in time since my induction was scheduled for later that morning.  At 3 in the morning we were heading to the birth center as early labor progressed they would have to call the hospital every so often and thankfully they did not have any beds for me, so I was able to stay at the birth center.  Fast forward to 6 PM I was not progressing fast enough and since I was 42 weeks the midwife couldn’t let me go home to labor more, so I could either let her break my water or go to the hospital and get Pitocin and let them break my water.  I went with the midwife breaking my water.  My contractions went from bearable to don’t talk to me in the matter of 30 minutes.  At this point I had my husband start diffusing a Peace and Calming essential oil blend to help me stay calm through the pain.  I had been using a number of oils throughout labor, but once active labor started I couldn’t think enough to grab them. After 7 hours of intense active labor I got in the birthing tub thinking I wanted to push in there.  But, that just wasn’t working for my body, so after 2 hours in the tub my midwife mentioned she thinks I would have better luck on the bed. So, out I get while my son was crowning, got up on the bed on all fours and two pushes later he was out! What a relief that was and how glorious it felt to finally hold him. He was perfect and I was on such a high I couldn’t even close my eyes to rest after he was born.  Since we were at a birth center we were able to go home 4 hours later and it was the best to be able to recover at home.  After having him I knew if I could have another I wanted to do a homebirth.

Fast forward 2 years and 4 months later, I am waiting for labor to start with my second son.  Thankfully we are living in a location where I was able to do a homebirth.  This birth was much quicker and different than my birth with my first.  Labor started on its own.  The day before I had no signs of labor.  Since my midwife did a hands-off approach to her care I never had any internal checks to see if I was dilated or anything.  I woke up at 3 am to contractions, at 3:30 am I realized they were regular and I should track them; at this point I start to use a Sclaressence blend and Jasmine essential oil to help keep things regular.  6 am rolls around and I tell my husband he needs to stay home and I contact my midwife to let her know I’m in early labor.  I do some laundry and clean up the house a little in between contractions.  10 am my midwife gets here to set up for the birth (I start to use a Valor essential oil blend and myrrh on my back to help sooth it between contractions), she lets my son help her and he was so excited to be a part of it! I decide to rest some and then around 12 noon, after my son went down for his nap, my husband and I go for a quick walk around the block.  This really helped start active labor.  When we got home from the walk I had to really lean on my husband during contractions and at this point he had to apply the oils as I couldn’t remember to do it myself.  Around 1 pm my doula gets here and in perfect time because my son woke up from his nap and we needed some extra hands.  As I progressed my midwife just quietly set back and watch never interfering with the process.  She knew from my body language I was about to push, so she asked if I wanted my husband to come back into my room and if I wanted my son in there too.  I said yes, sure enough she was right, I had the urge to take my clothes off (a good sign you are about to push!).  My husband comes in as I start to do the first push and my doula is holding my son; he is just watching calmly in amazement.  After just a few pushes my water breaks, and at 2:33 pm they announced the birth since his head was out.  Everything was so peaceful and quiet. He was born and there was just a calm throughout the whole house, no rushing around, no urgency to do anything, just soaking in the moments of this newly born baby.

Postpartum recovery was great being home with everything I needed right away.  Padsicles to help with healing, all my oils, food, etc.

Whatever birth you choose just know it is just a magically and scared experience that is so fulfilling.

My name is Morgan, my husband is in the Marine Corps and we have two sons.  We have moved more than we’ve lived in anyone place (that’s the military for you), but I wouldn’t have it another way.  I find joy in getting to move and explore new places.  I have a passion for living a natural lifestyle; my husbands like to call me a crunchy hippy haha.  I started on this journey to get toxins out of our home as much as possible after getting diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) along with hypothyroid, insulin resistance and overall awful hormone levels.  I knew there was a way to support my body the way it needed naturally even though my doctor at the time laughed at me and said there wasn’t anything I could do other than take the prescription she was writing me. I was on a quest to figure it out and make the changes needed to have better health for myself and my family. Through supplements, essential oils, diet, using nontoxic cleaning products and hygiene products, and reducing stress I was able to get my health back on track.  It wasn’t easy and it took a while, but it has been the best decision we’ve made for our family and for our health!  I love sharing with others and helping them learn all about this lifestyle.   If you have any questions about living a toxin free life or using essential oils during pregnancy, labor, and beyond I’d love to answer them for you.  I can be reached at essentiallyhopeful@gmail.com.