Elijah's Birth Story
7:34:00 PM
As we approach Elijah's first birthday (still in denial) I have been reflecting on his amazing birth story. With my first son, I had him at the hospital, and to put things very lightly, the whole process was a complete nightmare. After that experience, I knew when I got pregnant this time around that I wanted something different. I wasn't really sure what that meant, but I knew that I wanted someone to take me and treat me like a patient, like a woman who is about to bring another human being into the world. Not like a name on a chart or just a dollar sign. I wanted a personal experience.
As my journey in finding a new doctor or midwife began, I met Charlie Rae Young, midwife and owner of Barefoot Birth here in the Tampa Bay Area. The first time I even met her, she came to my home, sat and talked with me, answering all my questions and concerns, for over an hour. I instantly fell in love with her and knew when I ultimately chose to work with her I was in great hands. Every appointment after that took place in my home and Gabriel even got to be involved in them too, which was extra special. He loved doing the "belly jelly". We built a relationship + a friendship throughout our time together, and she will always have a special place in my heart.
Fast forward 9 months and it is the evening of Elijah's birthday, September 25, 2015. We had just put Gabriel down for bed (7:30PM) when my first contraction hit. It came like a tidal wave. Let me tell you, when this kid was ready to be born, he was READY! Only a little more than 2 hours later (9:46PM) Elijah was born, in the water, in our home. It was the most amazing, empowering thing that I have ever experienced in my entire life.
Reflecting on his birth, there is no other way I would have rather done it. That evening, about midnight, as I took in the aftermath, it was much different than the hospital. Everything had been cleaned, the laundry started, candles were burning, soft music was playing, and not a soul was in sight except me, my husband and our sweet new little baby. It was so peaceful. The next morning, we woke Gabriel up with the surprise of his new baby brother.
Thank you to my beautiful + amazing friend and photographer at Caroline & Evan Photography for capturing these memories.
As my journey in finding a new doctor or midwife began, I met Charlie Rae Young, midwife and owner of Barefoot Birth here in the Tampa Bay Area. The first time I even met her, she came to my home, sat and talked with me, answering all my questions and concerns, for over an hour. I instantly fell in love with her and knew when I ultimately chose to work with her I was in great hands. Every appointment after that took place in my home and Gabriel even got to be involved in them too, which was extra special. He loved doing the "belly jelly". We built a relationship + a friendship throughout our time together, and she will always have a special place in my heart.
Fast forward 9 months and it is the evening of Elijah's birthday, September 25, 2015. We had just put Gabriel down for bed (7:30PM) when my first contraction hit. It came like a tidal wave. Let me tell you, when this kid was ready to be born, he was READY! Only a little more than 2 hours later (9:46PM) Elijah was born, in the water, in our home. It was the most amazing, empowering thing that I have ever experienced in my entire life.
Reflecting on his birth, there is no other way I would have rather done it. That evening, about midnight, as I took in the aftermath, it was much different than the hospital. Everything had been cleaned, the laundry started, candles were burning, soft music was playing, and not a soul was in sight except me, my husband and our sweet new little baby. It was so peaceful. The next morning, we woke Gabriel up with the surprise of his new baby brother.
I have to finish this up by saying, only by the grace of God and through the power of prayer do I believe his birth happened the way that it did. I had many many prayer warriors sending up their prayers for me during labor and I could feel God's presence in the room as little Elijah made his way into my arms. I believe that no matter your birth story, God can be seen and felt in the moment of your baby's birth. It is truly a miracle what our bodies can do!
Thank you to my beautiful + amazing friend and photographer at Caroline & Evan Photography for capturing these memories.
"When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world."
John 16:21
1 comments
Oh Morgan, this is so lovely. I was close to tears reading this and looking at your beautiful photos. It truly is so amazing what God gives us in child birth and raising these little ones. I'm glad we get to do this mama thing together! Can't wait to celebrate little Elijah!! :)
ReplyDeleteLeave me something sweet!