Amanda and River

My labor and birth were a transformative experience of endurance. Labor lasted 50 hours, and I started vomiting fairly early on and continued throughout much of the process. It was physically and emotionally demanding, but through it all I felt completely supported, cared for, and safe with my midwives.

One of the things I appreciated most was that nothing was ever done to me without my explicit approval. There were frequent check-ins about how I was feeling, what I needed, and whether any interventions should be considered. Everything was a conversation. I never felt rushed, pressured, or fear-mongered into making a decision. Every risk and benefit was thoroughly discussed, and I was given the space to choose what felt right for me and my baby.

I had originally hoped for a water birth, but it suggested I would simply wilt from exhaustion after such a long labor, and was advised to go for a land birth instead. Looking back, it was absolutely the right call. I ended up giving birth in my living room, surrounded by support and encouragement.

What amazes me is that despite my labor, there was never any talk of transferring me to the hospital. To be honest, I never wanted to go. I was so happy and comfortable at home that I worried someone would tell me I had to leave, and I remember feeling such relief that it was never even a discussion. I trusted my team completely, and they trusted me too.

I also ended up with a second-degree tear, which was skillfully repaired right on my couch. Even in those moments, I felt calm and cared for.

There is something incredibly special about being cared for so intimately by a team of women you genuinely know and trust. Throughout my pregnancy and birth, my wife and I built relationships with all of the midwives. By the time labor came, it truly didn’t matter who was on call because I felt connected to each of them. Every midwife who supported me seemed to know exactly what I needed in that moment and brought her own unique strengths, wisdom, and reassurance.

In the end, my baby arrived safely, and I look back on my birth with immense gratitude. I feel blessed to have found this team. Their excellence, compassion, respect for the birthing person and family unit as a whole, and unwavering belief in the birth process gave me an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. I recommend them wholeheartedly and will always be grateful for the care they provided to both me and my family.