Teigen Jacob - an unassisted homebirth, waterbirth with transport to hospital after the birth.

Born at home, at 37 weeks, 5 days at 9:55 p.m. on June 6th, 2001. Weighing 8 lbs 10 oz and 22 inches tall.

My water broke around 1:00 a.m. on June 6th. The contractions weren't often and weren't painful at all. But, since we didn't know how long it would be, we set up the pool and got things ready. I tried sleeping on and off through the early morning, but didn't get much in at all. Got the girls up and ready for school and then we waited all day... with nothing much happening, or seemingly not.

Things started to kick in around 6 or so that evening and I figured within the next 4-6 hours, we'd have our baby... I got in the pool close to 6:30 or 7 and here's our story...

I was feeling a lot of lower back labor. Being in the pool really helped, though it didn't make the pain go away. I spent a lot of time on my knees, leaning on the side of the pool. I'd try changing positions. Sometimes it just hurt so much, I didn't want to move.

Bob added hot water to keep the pool a nice temperature. In between adding pots of water, he'd sit on the side of the pool and rub my lower back.

Transition kicked in fully around 9:00 p.m. Contractions were coming every couple of minutes and having 3 peeks to them. My mom was there. To keep herself occupied from my pain, she'd count my contractions. She kept track on paper.. which was kind of nice to look back on later. These contractions were really rough to deal with.

I was vocal during contractions, which helped keep me from tensing up. Bob would tell me 'Let it out'... encouraging me to go ahead and make the noises I needed to make... He knew that not only would making noise help me, but that telling me to let it out would make me feel more comfortable in doing so. Later, the girls (at the time, 8 and 11) told me they were hiding in their rooms scared of the noise I was making.

Originally, I thought, if I had to pee, I could do it in the pool. I'd researched that it wouldn't be harmful. When it came down to it, I couldn't do it. I mean, I just couldn't. My body wouldn't let me. But making it to the bathroom was horrible! A couple of contractions to get there, a few while I sat on the toilet and then more to hit as I tried walking back to the pool.

This is close to 9:30 or so... I felt a change in the way it felt when Bob would rub my lower back. It no longer felt so good and actually was very uncomfortable. So, I ended up changing position and feeling inside to see if I could feel Teigen's head. Sure enough, I could feel head, hair and a cervical lip. I knew working with the next few contractions, little grunty pushes and patience and the lip would be gone. At this point, Teigen's head is starting to crown and I am feeling with one hand in front, his head, and the other in back, my bottom... I was hoping not to tear.

I was letting out some deep screams and panting between contractions so I didn't push too fast. It seemed to take about 3 contractions to get his head out, but it all went really quick. It was burning and hurting and I wanted it to be done!

Once the head was out, I flipped over to all fours... Bob was reaching in here to help guide Teigen up and out of the water. The cord was draped loosely around Teigen's neck.. Bob described it as a loose necklace.

At 9:55 P.M., Teigen is born... Bob hands Teigen to me... he's covered in vernix, and limp... But he's beautiful! And we did it all ourselves!

We didn't know at the time, but sometimes it takes a little longer for a water birthed baby to breath. I've since spoke with several midwives about this.. but, we didn't realize that at time. It seemed to take so long for Teigen to breath. In reality it was probably meer seconds. But in that time, we were so scared - we'd already experienced a loss (stillbirth) the year before. We didn't want to take any chances. Bob called 911. While he was on the phone, Teigen started coughing and breathing. It was light and raspy, but it was breathing. It was this point that I knew for certain everything was going to be ok.

He spent a week in nicu, on antibiotics. Though, our pediatrician admitted that there was nothing in his bloodwork that indicated any problem or infection.

At the time of this edition of Teigen's birth story, it's the day after his 5th birthday. A healthy, ornery, funny, inquisitive (the list goes on and on) little boy. He also has a little brother, Ryland.

This is a shortened version of the original writing of Teigen's unassisted birth story, which also includes several labor and birth pictures. Story and images copyright Mom's Little Garden.