We're having a good time-- a birth story
Baby Jacob’s Birth Story as told by Rochelle Matos
As a birth doula, childbirth educator and mother of 4, I know that birth rarely goes exactly as you hoped or imagined it to be. However, in the birth of my fifth baby I experienced what I would call, “my ideal birth”. It was absolutely amazing and I’m so thrilled and thankful for the experience!
In the weeks leading up to Jacobs birth, I would have contractions from about 4pm-9pm every 15 minutes or so, nothing too strong, but it was comforting to know my body was getting ready. The day before his birth, these same easy sort of contractions started in the morning and kept going – all day. I wasn’t in labor, but this was different, so I texted my friends who were going to attend the birth that I was experiencing something new – just a heads-up. We had a wonderful evening as a family going on a picnic and swimming at a local beach. Got home and went to bed as normal.
That night, at 2:00am, on July 4th, 2014, I woke up with a real, strong contraction. Afterward I went to the bathroom and noticed some bloody show. “Is this for real? A 4th of July baby?” I kept thinking. I went back to bed and had another contraction at 2:30 - again, super strong - definitely different from the weeks leading up to this point. After lying in bed for another 15 minutes, I was feeling restless with lots of adrenaline. I got up and brushed my teeth and did my hair. Yup, I wanted to look pretty for the birth, so I straightened my hair at 2:45am. After that I felt calmer, and went back to bed at 3:00am. I contracted 2-3 more times and at 4:00am told Luis that I was in labor, he promptly encouraged more sleep, so we rested until 5:00am when the contractions were coming every 20 minutes. At 5:30, I called the birth center, Amy told me to eat breakfast and see what would happen as the sun came up. I did as she suggested, eating breakfast with my husband, but had a hard time determining if labor was going to continue or fade. At this point, the contractions were anywhere from 10-20 minutes apart and not getting closer… however they were so, so strong that after each one I would think, “I should be at the Birth Center by now”. At 7:15am I asked if I could come in, we made a plan to meet at the Birth Center by 7:45am.
Luis loaded the car, I texted my friends and called our doula. I told everyone that we were heading in, but since I wasn’t sure if this was really going to happen, I told them to wait on standby. The drive to the birth center was fun, Luis and I really enjoyed the morning together – I kept saying, “we should get up before the kids every morning and hang out together”. It was awesome to have a morning, just the two of us, it felt sort-of like a mini date morning together. We arrived at the birth center at 8:00am. Amy was still setting up so we wandered about upstairs… it was nice to have the birth center to ourselves and relax.
Initially, in my birth plan I requested no vaginal exams, however I was uncertain if I was really in labor, the contractions at this point were still 10-20 minutes apart. I asked Amy to check me, so I could decide if the team should come on in. She did, and found I was a 7-8cm. I was so relieved and that little bit of knowledge helped me to relax, I was in labor and going to have a baby - today!
At this point, I was experiencing a quite a bit of back labor. Amy suggested the TENS unit and I was eager to try it out for myself. It was really helpful – it didn’t take the pain completely away, and I still needed Luis to put pressure on my back, but it felt like a little massage to help ease the pain during and between contractions.
At 8:30am, we asked our team to come on in to the birth center. As the birth team started arriving, I welcomed them - we chatted and laughed. Everyone was surprised by the joking and smiling of the morning. I kept saying “we are having a good time” in reference to the birth stories I read in Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin. And I really was having a good time, it was so fun to have my friends and family come and be with me on this special day.
By 9:00am, Sibyl our doula, Anna my sister-in-law and photographer, Laura my friend and videographer, and Liz, with 2-week-old Maeve, all arrived at the birth center. Having everyone come was a wave of joy. When the last person drove up front of the birth center, I looked out the window and said, “Now that everyone is here we can go have a baby”. I had hoped everyone would be able to come, but with kids and busy lives it was all uncertain - I am amazed that they could all be there. Quickly, the labor picked up – with the frequency of contractions increasing.
I made my way back to the birthing suite, knowing I’d want to get into the water soon. I looked around the room, it was so beautiful and everything was ready. I had set up my birth altar from the Sacred Pregnancy journal & class, I was wearing my birth necklace, Luis was with me every step of the way, rubbing my back and kissing me. Amy, my midwife, whom I truly trust, was ready. After a few really strong contractions I was ready for the tub.
At 9:30am, I climbed into the tub and again looked around the room, everyone was here; it was perfect. I made a joke about everyone watching me enjoy my hot tub and where is my margarita and we all laughed. Did I mention we were having a good time?
I rolled on to my knees away from everyone, facing Luis to get ready for baby to come. We quietly talked for a few moments, sharing this little break together. It was a private and intimate moment. Then I had the beginnings of wanting to push. I reached inside to see if baby was close – nope, he was about three inches inside. 10 minutes passed.
Next contraction, I felt an overwhelming downward pressure, I couldn’t decide if I should relax or push, so I panicked, I can’t do this. I started shaking my head, I couldn’t breathe and my midwife, husband and doula were all talking to me and encouraging me. “Just Amy,” I said, “Just Amy”. She reminded me to slow my breathing, she told me I was strong, and that I could do this. I repeated her words and calmed down.
After a few little pushes, Luis got in the tub and I felt again where baby was at (hoping he was about to crown), nope, still an inch inside. With the next contraction, I felt like a bowling ball was moving through my body, it was so intense, I pushed short easy pushes as Amy encouraged, I reached down 
and felt the head slowly coming, I stopped pushing wanting everything to stretch, and his head slowly eased out. I said “head”. I could feel the bag of waters around his head, like a soft helmet. Then the bag released and I said “bag broke”.
At this point I knew I was going to survive – one more push and I’d be done. With the next contraction, I gave a good strong push and his body slid out of mine. I opened my eyes to see my baby under the water, and slowly brought him up to my chest. The bag was still on his face and Amy pulled it off. As soon as I heard his first little whimper, I breathed a big sigh of relief and laid my head back on the tub. It was 9:51am.
After a bit of holding and laughing and rejoicing we climbed out of the tub to the bed. In bed we delivered the placenta and started nursing. While nursing in bed, I discovered a knot in his umbilical cord, which I thought was really cool. We had some food, continued to nurse, and enjoy baby Jacob. Slowly the birth team took off and soon it was just Luis and I and Jacob resting in bed together. Bliss!
After four and a half hours at the birth center we were ready to make our way home. That night, we could hear the 4th of July fireworks as we lay in bed with our fifth baby - we even saw some from our window! It was a celebration of his birth, a beautiful day and new beginning for our family.
Photos by Anna Botz