The birth of Josiah- Scranton Birth photographer

The unassisted home birth of Josiah. Birth story written by his mother below and pictures to follow:

Josiah Elias - 7lbs 11oz August 18th, 2021 10:36am

On Wednesday, 8/18 @ 5:38am I woke up to use the bathroom, feeling some mild cramping that had persisted off and on for the past 3 days.

I had expected to go into labor the following day as my 3 other babies were born on a Thursday, all on their due date. I wasn’t exactly sure of his due date because I got pregnant on my 3rd cycle back after having my daughter (She was 8 months old when I got my cycle back) and they weren’t regular yet.

I was pretty sure I got pregnant on my wedding anniversary and sure enough, 11/25 was the exact conception date for an 8/18 due date! All this to say I wasn’t sure if it was actually labor since I had been having contractions for a few days. I sat to use the toilet and saw my mucus plug which, for me, indicates true labor.

I quickly felt excitement and a split second of dread for the impending pain as my contractions were coming increasingly consistent. I walked over to my sleeping husband to told him I was in labor. He had a rough night with our daughter getting her to sleep so he was very tired and pretty cranky. I llaid back down with some pillows stacked between my legs to keep my hips open and for comfort.

I let my birth photographer know since she had an hour drive and she wanted to be at my home sooner rather than later, just in case of precipitous labor. I sent out a few other texts to close friends and family to let them know baby was on the way, as well.

Hubby started getting the tub ready for me around 8/8:30am. I had purchased an inflatable camping mat for me to lay on this time since last time my back, butt, and knees hurt after being in the tub for so long. I put my healing music on, set low, calm lighting, and climbed in the tub. The camping mat worked absolutely perfectly. It actually floated my body so I felt like I was suspended in a womb!

Contractions had ramped up intensity and were super consistent, about 3-4 min apart at this point. As soon as I laid in the tub, I started praying, asking God for guidance, strength, and for Him to take my pain. Well let me tell you, HE DID! Each contraction that came after that was extremely mild. I prayed through each one asking for Jesus to cover me and stop the pain. Instantly, they would stop. I was in a trance like state, I couldn’t really talk or barely open my eyes, I just kept praying.

The time moved so quickly as I floated there until I felt a very strong contraction which I thought was transition. I said “I don’t want to do this anymore, I want it to be over, I wish he was crowning and almost out already”. I had another strong contraction then told my husband I think I need to flip over because baby was coming. He asked what I wanted to do. I said I don’t know (because I really didn’t want to move out of my comforting cocoon), but that I would flip after one more contraction. After that 3rd strong contraction, my husband and Payton (birth photographer) helped me up off the float & pulled it out of the tub at the same time.

Now I’m on my knees, head hanging on the edge of the tub, and the next contraction my body started to push. I felt my son start to descend into the birth canal. At this moment, I felt nauseous and thought I might throw up. I ended up not throwing up, just some dry heaving which is what happened with my daughter, too.

My step daughter, Kenzie, who I’m very close with, walked up to me, grabbed me tight in a bear hug, told me how proud she was of me and what a great job I was doing. I told her how happy I was that she was there because I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to make it due to work and how much I love her. Her loving embrace along with encouragement was just what I needed at that moment! As soon as she let go, I had another strong contraction bringing my son down the canal. I felt him almost begin to crown and told my husband “the head is almost there, come in now”.

He got in the tub and start feeling around down there to see what was happening. The next contraction, he was crowning, then right at the end of that contraction his head was out. My husband felt that baby’s chin was still partially inside, so he use a gentle wiggle and tug to release it. Just as he did that, I had one final contraction, brought my knees together instinctively (which gave more room at the bottom of my pelvis) and pushed my son out in one felt swoop! My husband still had his hands on our son. He scooped Josiah up and realized the sack was over his head.

My husband quickly pulled it off as he turned Josiah over and lifted him up out of the water. I waited a moment to be ready to turn over and just catch my breath. We had done it again! I had birthed our son at 10:36am with God as my midwife!

I then maneuvered myself into a seated position so that I could hold our son, the sweet little boy who’s stolen my heart this past month my mother, unfortunately, missed the birth again, by just about 5 minutes or so. But she made it for the afterbirth, which was also exactly what happened with my daughter!

The next minutes were so blissful and lovely. I held our son close as I examined him and let the reality of what just happened wash over me. He was beautiful and perfect and finally there in my arms! I thanked Jesus for being my caretaker and for making sure everything went smoothly. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience!!!