The Business of Being Born Message Board

Birth Story: This is the story of my journey with my son, Tyler Shea Tullius.
August 19, 2007 at 1:48 a.m.
7lbs. 14 oz.
20 in.

I have to admit that I didn’t really know much about childbirth when I first got pregnant. To be honest, I wasn’t planning on getting pregnant in the first place as my husband and I were clearly focused on building our business. A few months before I had become pregnant, however, I had 5 friends who had babies. After their births, I was shocked to hear that 4 out of the 5 delivered by cesarean section! Even to my (at the time) uneducated mind, this seemed excessive. I was determined that I would make sure to do my research in order to do everything possible to avoid this type of outcome. I knew that was not what I wanted for me.

At 6 weeks pregnant, I began researching and found out that there were only 2 options in my area…hospital birth or homebirth. I have to admit that the thought of having a baby at home scared the crap out of me at first…that is, until I met Brenda. My midwife, Brenda, was a no-nonsense, “just the facts, ma’am” kind of woman with a soft side that felt very maternal. She held an information session and I immediately felt that maybe it was the hospital birth I should be more afraid of. I went home and told my husband what I had learned. He was on board even before I was.

I have to say that when asked about where I was going to have the baby, I would get looks that said, “You, lady, are a total whack job!”, but I was strong in my convictions as Brenda required us to read several books and take about 40 hours of childbirth preparation classes. As the day approached, I felt as if I could birth my child in a field somewhere if I absolutely HAD to.

My labor began on the evening of August 18th and I knew my son would be coming soon.We called Brenda to warn her at about 7 and she came to the house at about 9:30. As my labor progressed, Brenda suggested I try to get some sleep, but as soon as I lay down, I knew that Tyler was not going to let me sleep. Brenda and her assistants readied the birth tank and I was so relieved to finally get in.

Brenda left my husband and I together and in only a few short minutes, I told him I thought I was ready to push. Brenda checked me and I was indeed fully dilated, though my water still had not broken. I did begin to push and we could hear cord sounds as he began to descend. My water soon broke, however, Tyler’s heart rate was dropping as the cord began to wrap tightly around his neck. As soon as his head emerged, Brenda I birthed him in a ball so that the cord would not get any tighter and within a minute or so, I had my beautiful baby boy in my arms! I was in total shock and awe.

Tyler did have a little bit of a rough start, but I was confident in my body and in Brenda’s ability and within a short time, he was doing just fine. I felt so relieved that I was at home once everything was said and done. It was so nice to be able to get in my own shower and my own bed and curl up with my new baby boy to go to sleep. It felt normal and natural and I felt truly at peace. I speak with Brenda on a regular basis and I am so grateful for her loving, competent care. She helped me through the most difficult and most amazing time in my life.