I can’t let this day pass without mentioning that on this day 24 years ago my third son was born, at home. He was born around 8:30 AM into a birthing pool. He was my second home birth and fourth child. My husband, my mom, my midwife, her two midwife assistants, my doula, and my three older children welcomed him into this world. What a happy day that was! He and his brother on either side of him were each big babies, over 9 lbs. All born at home.

I felt ready to have the baby. I had done my visiting teaching for the month (what is now called ministering). I had organized our storage room the Saturday before, getting out all the baby things. I had cleaned things and felt my nesting was done. I had gone to bed the night before with contractions about 5 minutes apart, after we watched Anne of Green Gables as a family on a Sunday night. I told my husband that this might really be labor and not just Braxton-Hicks contractions. The plan was to see how long I would sleep and if the contractions were still there when I woke up. Then I felt it would probably be the day we had all been waiting for.

I woke up around 5 AM to use the bathroom, with the contractions still coming around 5 minutes apart. After walking around and then lying down again, the contractions stayed strong, so I knew this was it. I sat in a rocking chair by the bedroom window, rocking during some of the contractions. I remember my husband taking my hand, looking out the window with me at the sunrise. “The sun is rising, and you are giving birth to our new son today,” he said as he smiled at me. If anybody ever did a Hallmark movie showing a home birth, that scene would be in it. Everything felt perfect.

I had read an article about the power of vocalization during labor in the previous few months. The article said that vocalization helps to open up the cervix and helps the laboring mom feel stronger. I had also just read an article about the power of sacred hymns in everyday life. I decided to combine the two ideas. When the contractions got super intense, after rocking, I decided to start singing in a super low voice. I decided to combine that with getting my body in a low position as well. So I went into the living room and got on all fours. When the next contraction came, I lowered my body to the ground, sinking into the contraction as I moaned the hymn I was singing in a super low guttural voice. It felt good to ride the waves of contractions this way. Nobody could tell I was singing, or what I was singing. I’m sure I sounded like a cow, but I didn’t care. I labored this way through a few contractions. My method worked a little too well as the contractions got back-to-back, with no break in between. I then got into the birthing pool with a lot of help. Baby Boy Shumway #3 was born shortly after that, after about two more contractions and one or two pushes.

Just writing about it all brings back the ecstatic feeling of having just given birth naturally. It’s such an indescribably incredible feeling. Having given birth naturally five times and with medication two times, I can definitely testify that the feeling I had after the natural births was better. It’s such a sense of accomplishment, peace, relief, joy and new beginnings, all rolled into one.

I’m so glad that my baby boy is now 24 years old and the wonderful young man that he is. We later moved from that home, but it holds such a dear, precious spot in my heart. It’s only about a few miles from where I live now. I gave birth to another son in that home 3 years later. I have two sisters-in-law who each gave birth to a son in that home. Anytime I drive by it I get such happy feelings.

Now I have a daughter who is planning on a home birth with a son, next month. The photos in this post are from the party we just had for her, a “Blessingway” since she didn’t really need any material things for a baby. It was more to give her emotional support. This is the first time I will be living close by for one of her babies being born. The previous two were born out of state.

The circle of life continues, as I will be doing the same role my mom did for me during the labor I just described by watching baby’s older siblings while my daughter labors and gives birth. I’m so excited! There’s nothing else like childbirth. The room feels like heaven when it happens. It’s an honor and privilege to give birth, and a quadruple honor to see my daughter choosing to do a home birth.

If you want to feel all the feels about the gift of giving life, check out my review of the book, The Gift of Giving Life here, and then go read the book. It’s so good!