This was my fourth and final pregnancy. My surprise baby. On August 7, 2019 (4 days after my 27th birthday), we found out we were pregnant two years after my partner had his vasectomy. My pregnancy was filled with curve balls, stress and a looming feeling of sadness. Time flew by and 40 weeks came sooner than I thought. I put off all preparations for the new baby.

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"We found out we were pregnant two years after my partner had his vasectomy !"

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On March 31, 2020, I was 40 weeks and 6 days. I woke up for my morning conference call for work and shortly after contractions began. They were around 10 minutes apart. They continued like this all day. I decided it was time to at least pack a bag for the little one and myself. Around 2:30pm I sent my midwife a text letting her know about the contractions.

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They text me back letting me know to keep them updated and that due to Covid-19 I could only have a home birth when active labor begins. I hadn’t had time to prepare anything for a home birth, due to the stay at home order.

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I assumed I would have to give birth at the local hospital, which scared me. I have had two traumatic hospital births before. I thought for sure that I was getting a birth at the hospital; something I did not want at all.

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Around 2:45 pm I went out to my car to get the baby’s laundry (my parents did the laundry for me) and missed two calls from my midwife. I got to the car and my contractions were more intense and all of a sudden were 2-3 minutes apart. I called my midwife to inform her and she said to meet her at the birth center. I got my boys loaded up and my mom drove me. When I arrived she helped me inside and I immediately got in the birth tub.

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The warm water made me feel weightless and eased the contractions slightly. She did my first cervical check and I was 9.5 cm. I labored in the tub and let my body do what it needed to. I repeated to myself over and over that my body was meant to birth my baby and I was strong enough to do this.

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I turned over in the water and got on my hands and knees and pushed when my body told me to push. Two pushes and I could feel his head. One final, long push and my baby boy was in my hands. I felt nothing but positive vibes and pure joy, having just birthed this beautiful baby boy on my own.

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My surprise baby boy was born en-caul, in water, and he was pure perfection. My perfect birth experience! My advice is to believe in the power of your body, you are capable of more than you think. We, as women, are made to birth our babies. Water, natural positions (squatting, hands & knees, etc) and trusting your natural instinct help tremendously.