I felt guided to Davis County Midwives and now I’m seeing why. They gave the option of giving birth at the birth center or giving birth at home. I chose the birth center but as time went on I kept feeling that I should/could do a home birth. I was hesitant but I stopped resisting the feeling as it came over and over. What a beautiful and relaxing thing it was to give birth at home!
When I wrote this yesterday was September 29, which was Maren‘s due date. It was a very busy day and I prayed that she would not come that day, and when that prayer was answered, I was hoping that she would wait a little bit more and be born in October like Lucy. The night of the 29th I was restless and was in and out of sleep for some reason. I wasn’t yet having contractions, but at 3:33 (on Sept 30th) I woke up to a big one. I breathed through it but I had a feeling these ones were real. I kept getting up to pee and hoping they’d go away for one more day, but when babies are ready they’re ready! More contractions came ten minutes later and I believe that’s when I lost my mucus plug. I saw some blood and knew she was coming. I surrendered and let her come. I called the midwife and she said the team was on their way. Before I called the midwife I woke Zach up to get the tub ready. He worked on all that, got in his swimsuit, unlocked the front door, and woke my mom up.
These contractions were very manageable and far enough in between for me to feel rather peaceful and normal. I said hi to the midwives and once the contractions got a little closer I had Zach wake the kids up. They each came out blurry eyed and excited. They made me smile and laugh. Felix knew something was up. (He’s been very sweet and gentle with me and baby. It’s so cute.)
The kids were upstairs playing with grandma and getting breakfast. As this was happening the contractions became more intense. Zach was right there in the water giving me counter pressure and encouraging me. After a while, Kandice (one of the midwives) came over to me to help put the ice water rag on my forehead and neck. She was also being encouraging and telling me to let it be big. She was coming soon. I kept saying, “I’m safe. I’m so excited to meet her so soon.”
I started feeling pressure from her head and breathed and made all sorts of noises (Russell said I sounded like a zombie and then he and Bethany listened to their Yoto’s for a while). I remember one of those contractions right before she started coming out caused my water to break. Felt like a little pop.
Bethany kept her headphones on as the kids all came to look at her head coming out. I breathed and moaned and sang her head out and then kept going and her shoulders came out. The rest of her body slipped out after her! Such an amazing feeling. Zach caught her in the water and brought her up to my chest. I felt great and held her close. I told the kids to come down to meet her. My mom witnessed the whole thing and was amazed and moved. As the kids came down they each gave me a kiss and said hi to baby Maren. They were so sweet and happy. It was such a special moment. I told Bethany she could take off her headphones (she was listening to Jungle Book). So she did and interacted with baby. It was so cute and Maren was so calm and happy. Russell kept saying, “Am I dreaming? I can’t believe she’s finally here!” Lucy and Evelyn were so cute saying hi to her. Evelyn loved seeing her and then she realized that her rehearsals for the school play, Moana, was at 7:30 and she wanted to still go, so she ran out the door to Farmington Elementary, but Lucy announced that she wasn’t going anywhere. She was gonna always stay with Maren.
I handed Maren to Zach as I had more contractions to birth the placenta. He reminded me to breath through it and I did. Once the placenta was finally out the midwife put it in a bowl and showed everyone the cord, the whole placenta and the amniotic sac that is attached to the placenta that our precious baby was in.
My mom came down and saw baby and the umbilical cord and placenta too. After Zach showered and I had nursed her a little in the tub they gave Maren to Zach while I showered sitting down. Lots of blood clots fell out and they gave me a shot of pitocin.
I showered, drank electrolytes, and went to bed. They helped with all the things with me and baby. I appreciate that Kandice braided my hair. Then I ate some chicken soup, drank a protein drink, and after nursing Maren more and having a nap Zach brought me an omelet. I’m so grateful to be resting and I’m so grateful that the kids all want to hold her to let me rest. Zach took the kids to piano and the store and while they were gone I nursed Maren a lot and she pooped three times! It was sweet talking to my mom when everyone was gone. She told me how special it was from her perspective and she just loved being a part of it. It was really special having her there. I’m glad it all worked out that way. I’m also so grateful that baby and I are healthy and I pray we stay that way. God is good and babies are sooooo magical.
Maren Rachel weighed 9 lbs 7 oz and is 21 inches long.
She was born at 6:58 a.m. on September 30, 2026.
We all love her so so much!
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