Birth story: Reid Davidson

Charley was born at Baylor. Oliver was born at Fort Worth Birthing and Wellness Center. Reid was born at home. Being the third baby I knew what to expect. This birth experience is a memory I will always treasure. It was the birth experience I had always wanted. Thank you, Eva Diana Iguaran, for this amazing video. I can relive this special day over and over and thank you for these beautiful photos. I am blown away with your talent.
41 weeks pregnant, but with two kids already, I was in no hurry for Reid to be born. I was excited to meet our newest little guy, but enjoying my time with my big boys. At 6am on December 5, 2017 I woke up to my water leaking. My water breaking, with the other two, had started my labor so I knew things would be starting soon. I told Joseph we were having the baby today. He could not stop smiling, he was so excited. He called the midwife, photographer, and my mother to tell them to come over. I sat down on my birthing ball to help keep contractions from coming and curled my hair and put some makeup on.

About 30 minutes after I noticed my water was leaking my contractions started. Joseph was wonderful, doing hip squeezes to take the edge off of the contractions. My mother in law, Valerie, had mad pumpkin pie the night before and at the beginning of my contractions all I could think about was that pumpkin pie. So...she cut me a slice of pumpkin pie and I had it for breakfast. The midwives (Christy and Caitlyn) and birth photographer (Eva) got there about 7:30am-8am. Christy checked and I was dilated to 7cm so she started filling up my birth pool. I was feeling really good. I could hear my happy big kids in the living room.

They were coming in and out of my bedroom to check on me. I felt no stress. I really liked everyone coming to me instead of me trying to get somewhere to have the baby. I wanted everyone there! My mom, grandmother, brother and sister in law were all there too. When the birth pool was ready I got in and I asked Christy if my contractions were stopping because they did not feel as intense. She assured me they were not stopping. I continued laboring and Joseph continued hip squeezes and giving me drinks of water. The last thirty minutes were very intense. I started feeling the urge to push. My knees were on the bottom of the birth pool and I was leaning over on the side of the birth pool. Christy told me to leave one knee down and put one foot flat through one contraction. I asked her if this would hurt worse and she paused for a moment, choosing her words wisely said, “it will be different”! That was the most painful contraction yet and my body was pushing on its own. She said it was time to get in position for birth so I moved to the side of the tub so the midwives could see and assist, Joseph was in front of me (no longer doing hip squeezes) and I did one push and I remember Christy telling me by the next push Reid’s head would be partially out. I was thinking “no way is his head already coming out. I just started pushing. She is just trying to encourage me”.

Sure enough, next contraction, his head was all the way out. Christy told me to stop pushing and deliver his body with the next contraction. Waiting for the next contraction seemed like forever. By the next contraction he was all the way out. It seemed so fast. Everything was perfect. Everyone came into my room to meet Reid within seconds after he was born. They moved me to my bed to deliver the placenta. Charley was so fascinated with the placenta. Reid latched and started nursing like a pro. Joseph cut the umbilical cord (about 45 minutes after Reid was born). I got into the herbal bath with Reid. Eva took some beautiful picture of him in the bath. We got out of the herbal bath and I got in my own bed. Caitlyn did all the measurements and Joseph got Reid dressed. Eva took some more pictures of us as a family of 5. Then everyone left. I laid down in my bed to take a nap, but I was too excited to sleep. I laid awake watching my new baby.

I cannot believe this was only a few short months ago. I feel like we have know Reid forever! We are so in love with this little guy! Another big shout out to my MIL, Valerie, for coming before Reid was born and staying for several weeks after. She did everything; cooked, cleaned, dressed the big boys, took them to school, picked them up from school, grocery shopped and probably 1,000 other things. I could not have done it without all of her help.

Chelsey Davidson