The Power of Water: My Empowering Water Birth Story

Bringing new life into this world is one of the most transformative and unforgettable experiences a person can go through. For many expectant mothers, choosing the right birthing method can make all the difference in their childbirth journey.

In recent years, water birth has become an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a more natural and gentle delivery. Immersing oneself in a warm pool of water during labor can provide numerous benefits, including pain relief, relaxation, and a sense of weightlessness.

In this personal story, I share my second birth story, where I opted for a water birth and its profound impact on my birthing experience. I will explain how this water birth empowered me and allowed me to connect with my body in ways I never thought possible. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be inspired by this incredible journey through the waves of labor and into the depths of motherhood.

I firmly believe birth is a significant event in human experience that deserves to be told and documented. Because a birth experience significantly impacts the mother, the baby, the family, and society in general in one way or another.

Especially for the mother; as midwife Ina May said, “Birth matters. It matters because it is the way we all begin our lives outside of our source, our mother’s bodies. It’s the means by which we enter and feel our first impression of the wider world. For each mother, it is an event that shakes and shapes her to her innermost core. Women’s perceptions about their bodies and their babies’ capabilities will be deeply influenced by the care they receive around the time of birth.”

As every birth story is unique, my second birth differs entirely from my first. This birth was my dream birth. Everything goes as I imagined it, even better!

It is the birth that made me face my fear bravely. It was a fantastic event. I got to learn my power as a woman. It was very empowering. I love the whole thing about it. Contrary to what I have been told about birth, it was peaceful and calm.

I breathe through waves of contractions and relax for the intense sensation, so my body does what it’s designed for. Because of that, I no longer consider birth a painful event.

I gave birth in a cozy birthing center in a bathtub, in warm water, without any medications, with the help of midwives and my beloved husband by my side!

እርግዝናዬ

I got pregnant with our second child when our oldest was only nine months old. That means our children are only 18 months apart. Yes, we have them back to back. It has its advantages and challenges. If interested, read this blog post about our experience raising babies 18 months apart.

I had an enjoyable and healthy pregnancy. I was breastfeeding our oldest the entire pregnancy. I never had any issues. I have discussed breastfeeding during pregnancy in this post if you want to know more about it.

As you may already know, I like midwifery care for pregnancy and birth. I feel relaxed and safe working with midwives. Therefore I was under a midwife’s for prenatal care and aimed for natural and unmedicated vaginal birth.

Birth Story – Water Birth

It was the last week of September when Texas weather cooled off from the hot summer months. I had passed my 40 weeks mark. My midwife knows the due dates are estimated delivery dates, not the “exact date.” So she closely monitored me without stressing me out for passing 40 weeks. The day I gave birth marked 40 weeks and 5 days.

It was Wednesday morning I had a check-up. I was experiencing strong Braxton Hicks contractions. My body was getting ready for labor. I can tell. I learned my body prepares for delivery days, even weeks from my first birth. I have the most extended prodromal labor. Contrary to my first time, this time, I was resting, listening to my body, and allowing it to do what it needed to do without trying to rush things as I did the first time.

That day my midwife did a nonstress test to make sure the baby was not under stress. It Is a required protocol for pregnant women who pass the 40 weeks mark. Everything looks great.
Then I did a sonogram to see the level of amniotic fluid. The result shows my baby estimated weight is 9 lbs, and the amniotic fluid is slightly below the desired level. Again, my midwife assured me that it was not concerning, and I continued resting, drinking water, and staying active in between.

In the end, she checked my cervix. I was already 2-3 cm dilated. She said my body showed all the signs of labor and asked my permission to do a gentle membrane sweep. I agreed, and she performed. It was done in a fraction of a second and was quick. I didn’t even notice she already did it when she told me I was all set and could go home and rest.

A membrane sweep can activate labor in less than 24 hours if the mother’s body is ready; otherwise, it won’t. That’s why she let me go home and rest, and if labor kicks in, come back; if it doesn’t, wait until my next check-up.

We went home, and I took a nap. As my midwife said, my body was ready. Around 4 pm, I woke up from a powerful contraction. I start timing the contractions using an app on my phone. The contractions had rhythm, and it was getting stronger and closer together. I texted and let my midwife know. We agreed to meet at the birth center in about an hour.

My husband and I gather and arrange a few things in the home. I had packed a hospital bag a few weeks before, so it was only loading in the car. If you want a free hospital pdf download, click here.

Then we dropped our oldest son off at our friend’s house, which was very nearby, and next, we headed to the birth center. It is a 30-40 minutes drive from our place. When we approached the birth center and stopped at the last traffic light, I felt a strong contraction and something popping between my legs. I knew my water had broken. I kept my legs right and told my husband my water had broken. After a few minutes, he parked the car and helped me to get out of the car and enter the birth center. The amniotic fluid was all over the place while I walked the hallway. My midwife, who was waiting for us, welcomed us, took care of the mess I created, and comforted me in one of the cozy birthing rooms. She already warmed up the room before our arrival.

My midwife listened to the baby’s heartbeat and checked my cervix. I was 7-8 cm. We were all amazed at how my body progressed fast in a short time. It was 6:30 pm. Then as everything looked great, I was allowed to walk, sleep, eat or drink and rest in the birthing room while continuing laboring.

We diffuse lavender, orange, and frankincense essential oil. I was drinking coconut water for hydration and electrolyte. My midwife and her assistant midwife/doula checked on me every 20-30 minutes. They were also getting things ready for the baby’s arrival. It was such a pleasant, calming, and motivating environment to be in for labor.

Around 8 pm, the contraction got stronger, and I showed all the symptoms for the labor transition stage. Contractions are very close together, 1 to 1 and a half minutes. My midwife told me the baby is descending, and I started feeling the urge to push. But she was guiding me. It is not yet time to push.

At this point, I was in the bathtub filled with warm water. The warm water helped to relax even more, and my midwife was helping me to breathe through my contraction. Both of them were on their knees near the bathtub. My husband was holding my hands, sitting on the tub’s edge.

The room was not filled with bright light, unlike the hospital. They dim it and use a hand flashlight to see my body underwater. It helps me to stay calmer and more private than being exposed. If you notice any mammals in the animal kingdom do the same, find a darker place.

Then after a few intense contractions, I was fully dilated and ready to push. My midwife assisted me in pushing during the contraction time and letting me rest in between. Pushing is an intense sensational feeling. I also felt the ring of fire. It is amazing how our body does all this, making babies from tiny microscopic cells for months and pushing them out through a narrow birth canal.

Finally, after a couple of pushes, our baby girl was born. Whenever I saw my babies out of my body for the first time, I always laughed and cried simultaneously. It is the most impressive and indescribable. She was just perfect and beautiful. I breastfeed her. She latched right away.

The placenta didn’t last long. Once it was out, I went out of the tub and got a couple of stitches. I had a couple of minor tears. I was given medication to numb the area, and my midwife finished the stitches quickly. In the meantime, the other midwives warmed the food we packed in the kitchen and brought it for me. It was a nice treat cause I always get hungry after birth 🙂

Our baby girl was checked, weighted, swaddled, and warmed in her daddy’s arm. We spent a few hours, and all cleared to go home.

Baby waited for 7 lbs (2 lbs off from the sonogram estimate), and we were amazed by the volume of my amniotic fluid again despite the lower level the sonogram indicated in the morning when I was checked. I want to say do not decide solely relying upon sonogram results.

It was such a beautiful and successful day. A lot happened in less than 24 hours, but we enjoyed driving home with our new baby girl and introducing her to her big brother. Around midnight we were in our bedroom as a family of four for the first time!