The perfect birth!

Let's start from the beginning.....

It all started with a man ans a woman who loved each other, ok maybe not that far back.

For those of you who don't know we had the twins at home. This is a choice we made after much thought and prayer. We had Ezra at home and we really enjoyed being in our own space and the whole process. This time we wanted to try a different Midwife so we started the interview process. We found a Midwife we really liked. But, I had one problem with her - She wouldn't deliver twins. Now at the time we didn't know we were having twins, but as I said in a earlier post I thought I was having twins. So, we then went to interview Rebecca, who just so happened to be our bishop's wife. Ryan and I really felt comfortable with her and confident in her as a caregiver. After we found out we were having twins most people thought we would then choose a hospital. We still felt good about home so we moved forward with our choice. We found out in late June that Lucy had an issue with her umbilical cord called a Velamentous cord insertion. We were scared for our baby girl. We studied everything we could about the condition and prayed a lot. After everything we came to the conclusion that home would be the best place for us to have our babies and I'm so happy we did!

We had our caregiver and now for a plan. Yes, I planned my birth like you would plan a party. I wanted to make it to at least 38 weeks prior to going into labor, I wanted to be healthy, I wanted the babies to be healthy, I wanted an easy short labor (i.e. three hours), safe births, and I wanted it all to happen at night while Ezra was sleeping. I told my Midwife my plan and she asked that I have a five hour labor so she could have plenty of time to set up. I told her I would go for five. I wrote down all these positive affirmations. Each day, several times a day I would read them out loud. Little did I know just how amazingly it would work out.

August 5th 11:30PM, water breaks. I had just gotten into bed. I turned to Ryan and said "I think my water just broke." Sure enough it had. It was going to be a long night! I was filled with excitement. My mom and Ryan were trying to get a few last minute thing done around the house and I tried to rest a bit. I have spent months practicing relaxation techniques that I was able to now put into practice, which I did for about an hour. I got out of bed and sent my mom to the store for a few things. I walked around the kitchen while Ryan tidied up. Occasionally I would lean on him for support during my contractions. I told Ryan I wanted to go for a walk. We had to wait for my mom to get back because Ezra and Ivy were sleeping. So, when mom got home we set out for our walk. We didn't make it very far (two or three houses down) before Ryan said I think we should go back, I could feel that time was getting short and agreed. We had to stop several times because my contractions were so hard. When we got back Ryan filled my birth tub - It's kind of like a big kiddie pool. Water is very relaxing to me so I thought it would help me through labor. It did! The lights were turned low, candles were lit and we had on some relaxation music. If it wasn't for the intense labor pains it would have been romantic. Ryan was a wonderful coach!!! He helped me do my best to relax during my contractions. I kept asking him if it was time for the Midwife to come and he kept saying he would add up the time on the contractions. This was a nice way of saying it wasn't time for her to come yet. Ryan was going off what had happened with Ezra's labor. According to what happened last time I still had 10 hours to go. Ezra's labor was 15 hours, 5 of which were pushing! To be honest I also wasn't telling him things that would clue him in to the fact that labor might be going faster....I thought he knew. I started thinking I needed Rebecca to be here, but I couldn't speak. Then during a contraction I knew, I NEEDED REBECCA. Still unable to talk I finally mustard up, "C-c-c-c-call". After Ryan got off the phone I told him that the babies were coming now, and he helped me out of the tub. I felt like I needed to push. "I hope she gets here soon", I thought to myself. Thankfully Rebecca lives really close and she got to our house very fast. When Rebecca arrived she started setting up her things until I said, "The baby is coming out." She checked and sure enough Levi was ready to come out. Levi was born about six minutes after Rebecca arrived at 4:32 am. April, our back up Midwife, arrived right after Levi was born. Thankfully Lucy fell into place on her own and was born shortly after her brother at 4:39 am. It was a wonderful peaceful birth!!!

Just as I had imagined it to be.

Hurray for positive affirmations!

Both here and safe

I kept turning my head back and forth. Levi then Lucy, Lucy then Levi. Anyway I turned there was a beautiful baby.

I love to see Ryan with our children. He is the most wonderful father!

Our birth team


Originally we were going to have Margie as our backup midwife to Rebecca. Well, Margie went out of town. I told her it was fine because I wasn't going to have the babies yet. Sorry Margie they just couldn't wait. I am thankful for Margie for all the time she spent with us, all her advice and love! Thank you Margie!!!

I met Katie a few days before I had the babies. She is very kind and soft spoken. Thank you for being a part of our special day! Good luck with your Midwifery journey!!!

My mom knows April through all the childbirth things she is involved with but I had never met her before. After I gave birth to Lucy I said, "Hi April, It's nice to meet you." Thank you for being there for us April!

Rebecca, where do I start? We are so happy we chose her!!! She has really been there for us. We've gone through a lot together. Through the whole process she has been wonderful! Late night phone calls (while she was on vacation), home visits, you name it. After the birth she said I did a good job with my five hour labor but next time call her sooner. OK, I guess giving you six minutes to prepare is pushing it a bit. ;) We definitely recommend Rebecca to everyone looking for a wonderful natural home birth. Thank you Rebecca for EVERYTHING!!!


Getting all checked out.
Thankfully we have two healthy babies!!!

Mommy, Daddy and our sweet babies

Grandma

My Mom has dealt with a lot in the past couple months! She has been staying with us to take care of Ezra and me as I have been in bed a lot. Anyone who has ever been around a pregnant women knows that is A LOT of work! I have not always been pleasant to be around (shock) and she has put up with me. She has also been a wealth of knowledge. She knows SO much about childbirth and what she might not know about she find out from one of her friends who does. We have had V.I.P. treatment from the "baby community" all because I'm Dorothy's daughter. It's been great to have so much help from so many people.

Thank you Mom for ALL your help and support!!!

What happened while I was sleeping?

Just as I hoped/planned the babies came while Ezra was sleeping.

Here he is just waking up.

Ezra meeting his new brother and sister

Ezra LOVES them!

So EXCITED!!!!

Mommy & Levi

The Boys

Mommy, Lucy & Levi