The Birth Journey of Yaya

It was a typical Saturday, I was 39 weeks, I went to breakfast with my 5-year-old before heading into work. Now that I look back, breakfast was so sweet with my girl almost as if it was our last hooray before she becomes a big sister, I went in late just so that we had our time. After breakfast, I dropped Star off at her father and headed to work. I worked in the mall at a busy food quick service stand, so Saturdays are one of the busiest days of the week. Not only were we busy, but I also had to stay late to do monthly inventory. So mentally, I was prepared for the day, but physically I was having contractions, but I jut let them come they would. Let me back up, the previous day I went into a local hospital because I had not felt baby move for a while, so I allowed them to monitor me for a while. Everything was good. Baby was just chilling and had less room so she was moving but I was not feeling it as much as before. The doctor told me I had probably another week and baby were about 7 pounds and sent me on my way. So, when I went in to work I never really thought about going into labor that day. I had been having contractions on and off for weeks, so my team was familiar with how to react and let me do my thing to get through each wave. I came into work and jumped straight into work trying to move the line (I hate seeing customers waiting for long periods of time). It was not exceptionally long after I began working that I noticed my contractions were a little different than before, but I kept working. About an hour into work is when I started to think that maybe this was it, I mean after all I am a doula so I should know better, right? … Wrong I kept working but stopped to text my midwife and spoke with my grandmother. The rushes began to go so strong that I had to step out to manage them, a customer that walked by wanted to call 911 but I reassured her I was ok. While on the phone with my grandmother, a friend of my stopped by to say hello. She immediately began to worry because she could tell I was in a space where I needed to make my way home. But again, I reassured her I was ok and she left. During this time, I made my way to the stock room to focus my attention on starting inventory. During the walk to the stock room, I had 3 contractions! But I made it to the back and that is where I knew It was time because I could not get through any counting without having a contraction. SO, I made my way back to the front and called my midwife (who lived 45 minutes away) as I was talking to her she realized my contractions were closer together than I thought. While on the phone with her my friend returned, she had contacted my partner and he asked her to take me home. I was thankful because I did not know how I was going to drive home in that state. One the way I called my mom and let her know it was show time. My partner was at a birthday party with my 5-year-old, and she was upset she had to leave, but all of the troops were on the way. We made it home in about 15 minutes and then It was the task of walking up 3 flights of stairs. It was surprisingly easy the steps eased the rushes. Once inside I immediately jumped in the shower. My midwife, partner and mom were coming through the door as I got out. My midwife set up extremely quickly and checked me. I was 5 centimeters at 5 pm! I know right I would have had this kid in the mall if I stayed. My friend has 3 boys, but she had never experienced birth at home before, so I asked her to stay. It was important for me to share this experience with the ones who really cared, and she had already put her entire day on hold for me. At this point the rushes were kicking my but, I was completely naked because it felt great being free. My daughter was super excited to see her baby come into this world. She became my doula and a midwife assistant that day. She took my fake temperature and rubbed my back. Birthing at home is so freeing because I did not feel rushed, and my midwife just let me lead and listen to my body. My partner was great also, he is always laid back and nonchalant lol, he gave the best counter pressure when needed. At one point he thought he was pushing too hard, but it felt amazing! My mom always watches and takes pictures, but sometimes I think she is in more awe than anything. I was so at peace, I just paid attention to my body and my baby and moved as she told me to. As I was on all fours, I told my midwife it was time. She did not check me, she just looked me in the eye and said I could push whenever I was ready… SO I did!

I was on my knees supported behind me by my partner and I pushed, not hard just a little. Two pushes later a head popped out, one more push later I had a beautiful baby girl.

I immediately laid down as my midwife did her initial check, and nursed baby girl, she latched like a pro.

It took about 15 minutes before it was time to push the placenta out, during this time my partner got to hold baby girl for the first time and introduced her to her big sister.

My midwife allowed my 5-year-old to help her assess the placenta and weight the baby. She was a good midwifery assistant.

After all was assessed, my midwife asked me what I wanted to eat. I ordered Chinese food and a coke, and I was in bliss! It was beautiful, and I got to birth on my own terms in the safety of my own home in the presence of the ones I love. As I a doula it may be expected for me to say homebirth is great and blah blah blah. But as a mom I would never choose ay place else to birth! It has been proven that when a woman is left to to trust herself, her body and her baby birth happens!

I dedicate my story to all Black moms still not being heard in Western medicine! Listen to black women!