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My Homebirth Story @ AVirtuousWoman.org #homebirth #pregnancy

Hannah’s Homebirth Story

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My Homebirth Story @ AVirtuousWoman.org #homebirth #pregnancyMy Homebirth Story

Hannah’s homebirth was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. She was my fourth baby, but my first homebirth.

We decided right away to have her at home. From the moment we found out, there was no question in my mind that I did not want to go to the hospital again. I searched briefly for a midwife. The nearest midwife was 100 miles away.

Mykal jokingly said one day, “I could deliver the baby.” So I started thinking about it. I began researching more about homebirths. I found out that many couples were choosing to have Unassisted Childbirths in their homes. So, I suggested to Mykal that we do it. He was comfortable with the idea as long as I was. There is no one I trust as much as my husband.

I did my own prenatal care. We purchased the items we felt we would need for the birth. We had an ultrasound done at an independant imaging center in Las Vegas. We found out we were having a little girl. Mykal began singing a song to her with her name in it daily. (After she was born, Hannah recognized the song immediately and it has continued to be her favorite! My Mykal is so special!)

I palpated my belly frequently, learning the position of the baby. I bought midwifery books so I could learn everything I potentially needed to know for the birth. I knew a lot to begin with. This being my fourth baby, I knew how to give birth. I explained to my husband how to check my cervix and how to deliver a baby. He figured it out right away.

Neither of us had ever delivered a baby. I did help my best friend at her homebirth, which was a fantastic experience for me. We prayed and prayed that everything would work out okay. We were truly blessed.

On Sunday, November 5, 2000 I was 2 cm dilated and the next day I was 4 cm dialted. I knew the time was near. I had already experienced that “nesting” instinct women often get toward the end of their pregnancy. I had scrubbed everything in the house over and over again. I felt so on top of everything and in complete control. Then the last 3 weeks of my pregnancy, I was so big and so tired I slept a lot.

On Wednesday, November 8, 2000 I woke up and felt like I was going to have the baby by the end of the day. I was having uncomfortable contractions two minutes apart all morning. I warned Mykal that I might be in labor and to stay near a phone while he was gone to his mother’s house. I set up the table we had for our birthing supplies and made the bed in brand new white sheets and plastic mattress pad.

I was so disappointed when by 12 noon the contractions had basically gone away. Mykal came home and we had lunch together. We went about our normal activity for the rest of the day.

At 7:30 p.m. I noticed more contractions. They were slightly uncomfortable and began coming 2 minutes apart. I was hoping this would be it! I could hardly wait to hold our new baby. Mykal began checking the baby’s heart rate every hour. He kept a close eye on my blood pressure.

We told the kids the baby might be coming soon. They were so excited they asked to camp out on the living room floor. Mykal promised to wake them up if she was born.

I was so content, so happy, and completely relaxed. I had no fear about the impending birth. I read a book in bed for much of the night. We prayed together. The contractions for the duration of my labor were 60 to 90 seconds long and a consistent 2 minutes apart. I had no pain. I don’t think I have ever been so relaxed as I was that night! It was such an incredible experience!

Mykal was so loving and supportive and everything I needed and wanted. He was calm. He rubbed my back. He encouraged me to walk around and to squat on the floor. He brought me my favorite soup for supper. He was perfect in everyway. God has blessed me with such a wonderful husband. I couldn’t have asked for more than he was and is.

I breathed slowly and deeply with each contraction. I imagined my cervix opening and the baby’s head moving down. When I had a moment of question – “Do I really want to do this?” – I reasoned that I must be in transition. Sure enough, Mykal checked me and I was 7 to 8 cm dilated. That made me smile. My womb would rise high and hard with each contraction. I knew our baby would soon arrive.

By 4:30 a.m. I was at 10 cm. My water had not broken and, although we had an amnihook, I decided to hold off. I had no urge to push so I wanted to wait and see what would happen. I told Mykal I wanted to go to sleep. He went to take a bath. We were both tired.

I was able to doze off even though my contractions were strong and consistent. Suddenly I heard a loud “pop”. It had hurt – almost like something had exploded inside of me. I knew my bag of waters had broken. I called to Mykal. He jumped out of the tub and rushed to the bed. I explained to him what had happened. He had heard it, too. It had sounded like a brown papr bag, filled with air, popping. Her head was so low that none of the water escaped when the sac broke. I told him, “The baby will come fast now.”

It had been a while since I had emptied my bladder. I really wanted to do so before pushing her out. Mykal did not think it was a good idea, but I insisted. Once I sat on the toilet, I had one strong contraction and felt her head begin to come out. I called Mykal and he said, “Get back to the bed.” But I could no longer walk. He laid me down on our carpet and rushed to get some pads to cover the floor with.

With the next contraction (while he was getting the pads) I reached down to help ease her head out. Mykal arrived, got the pads in place and he helped me with her head. Once the head was born, Mykal to check for the cord around her neck. It wasn’t. He waited for her head to turn on its own. Then he eased her top shoulder down and out first. She slipped out with a gush of amniotic fluid. Mykal placed her on my tummy and covered her with a fluffy white towel. Hearing her first cry, brought tears of joy to my eyes. It was beautiful.

I will never forget the emotion that filled Mykal’s voice when he saw her as she slipped out into this world and he said, “She’s so beautiful.”

That simple phrase uttered was filled with joy and relief and said so softly. I could hear the tears in his voice.

Mykal ran to get the camera and began taking pictures. A few minutes later he woke up the kids. When Hannah was 30 minutes old we cut the cord after all of the blood had gone to her.

I delivered the placenta into a bowl. Hannah was rooting so I nursed her for a little bit. We filled a small tub with warm water and bathed Hannah. Mykal dressed her in a pretty gown. I bathed and went to bed to snuggle with my baby and my loving husband.

I have never had such an awesome experience in my life. I cannot even describe how powerful and complete I felt when it was all over. It was so beautiful to give birth with only my husband present. To be alone with my husband made the event intimate and so precious. I believe this was how God intended it to be. Hannah represents the wondrous love we share. Mykal is the love of my life and Hannah is the most glorious expression of our perfect love.

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About Melissa Ringstaff

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

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This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

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Hi There! My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I believe that being a Proverbs 31 Woman isn't about being perfect. Here at A Virtuous Woman you'll find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose.


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purposenotperfection

Freedom from perfection. 🪁
Live with purpose. ✝️
Proverbs 31 for modern women. 👱‍♀️
Wife + Mama + Homemaker + Kentucky
Life: @melissa.ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff
Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just because there was a pandemic. Our family has faced many trying times in the past but 2020 gave us some doozies.  I’m looking forward to a new year. The beginning of the new year always feels like a fresh start to me. It feels like HOPE.  But the truth is, whatever heartaches and hardships you and I were facing on Dec. 31 will most likely still be there on Jan. 1.  That’s why it’s hard to keep New Years resolutions. It’s easy to feel motivated for a few days or a couple weeks until we realize life hasn’t really changed and things are still hard.  But if we want to see real change it takes hard work and real effort. It takes showing up every day - even when it’s hard.  Whether that means working on your fractured relationships or setting healthy boundaries or cultivating self disciple... whatever that hard thing is that you need to work on ... it will only get better if you work on it.  We aren’t promised an easy life. But we are promised an “Ever Present Help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1  *
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth#proverbs31women #proverbs31life #10virtues #daughteroftheking #jesuslovesme #womenoffaith #faithquotes #proverbs31
We’re coming into the new year with all the same We’re coming into the new year with all the same problems we had in the last year. And that’s okay! Life doesn’t have to be perfect to still be amazing. Perfectionism is a joy stealer. Let’s determine to enjoy life right now in all its messiness.  I believe you can find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose. #purposenotperfection  #christian #Jesus #love #quotes #quoteslife #quotestoliveby #godisgood #votd #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #life #motivationalquotes #inspiration #bible #bb #bestoftheday #happiness #wordofgod
🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. 🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. It’s a ministry to your family and all who enter your home.  But I want you to know: You don’t have to be perfect. ❤️  There’s a fine line between teaching your children to be neat and insisting on perfection. No one can meet that kind of standard and it can be detrimental to the emotional health of your family.  What we want for our homes is to provide a space that is neat and clean enough that your family and friends feel comfortable and well loved.  There is freedom in accepting the fact that you’re not perfect. Not to make excuses for slovenliness - but to give yourself grace.  It’s when we recognize our weakness that we find ourselves reaching out to Jesus to receive the power that comes only from him. As homemakers, when we can find grace for the moment when we accept His Gift.  “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Ezra 9:8  Let His Grace wash over you, cleanse your weary heart. Homemaking isn’t about creating a perfect space. It’s about creating a home where loved ones feel cared for and nurtured. 
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #wearethehomemakers
❤️Your attitude about homemaking matters.⠀
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A homemaker by definition is someone who manages and makes a home. 🏠⠀
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But, anyone can clean and organize a home. ⠀
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☑️ Homemaking is about more than checking off the items on your to do list.⠀
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Learning how to be a homemaker means you learn how to make your home feel like haven of peace and love. You seek out ways to make your home feel inviting. You work at it.⠀
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There is no easy button for homemaking. There are easier, more efficient ways to do chores, but the chores still have to be done. If you live in a house, you will create the need for the house to be tidied every day and cleaned on a regular basis.⠀
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Having the right attitude about homemaking is the first step in learning how to be a homemaker.⠀
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The good news is, even if you’ve been struggling with your homemaking, you can always go to God and ask Him for help. ⠀
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He sees the unseen work of your hands. And He loves you very, very much. He wants to help you succeed. ⠀
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking  #youngwife #housewife
🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regu 🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regular time with Jesus every day, you’re not alone. Lots of busy Christian women struggle to find time for a daily prayer and devotion time. ⠀
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But I still want to encourage you to start your day with God! ⠀
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⏰ If it’s hard to spend 30 minutes in the morning for a quiet time, I want you to remember you can still begin your day with God – even if that means saying a short prayer before your feet hit the floor in the morning.⠀
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✝️ I also want to encourage you to memorize this verse:⠀
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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.⠀
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 📖⠀
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In the morning you can recite this verse and say a prayer. It doesn’t have to take a long time. Although – if you do have time – you will be greatly blessed by spending more time in prayer and devotion.⠀
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📌 Free Printable Morning Prayer Prompts on the blog today: https://avirtuouswoman.org/morning-prayer-prompts/  #linkinbio ⠀
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth #Christ #Church #Christian #Jesus #Jesuslover #JesusChrist #JesusisLord #CreatorGod #Devotional #verseoftheday #Love #Faith #biblestudy #God #dailydevotional
🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be inte 🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be intentional with how I plan our days. I love any opportunity to create a good memories at home for my family and guests. ⠀⠀
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📌 If you're looking to make this holiday season really special, you need to be intentional. Goodness knows 2020 has had a lot of ups and downs. And maybe you feel like it's been mostly downs. ⠀⠀
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🎄 But the holiday season is a chance to focus on celebrating the life we have right now. Things don't need to be perfect for us to celebrate life right now!!⠀⠀
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☑️ Inside the pages of my Purpose 31 holiday planner, you'll find 8 weeks of planning and cleaning all laid out for you. Recipe pages, journaling pages, and more - 120 pages total. ⠀⠀
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✏️ The Purpose 31 Holiday Planner is by far one of the most popular resource I produce each year. ⠀⠀
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Thousands of women have downloaded it over the last four years I've offered it.⠀⠀
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So, even though it's early still, you can go ahead and downlaod it. Print it out and then set it up so you're ready to go.⠀⠀
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I usually take my holiday planner down to Office Depot and have them spiral bind it with a plastic cover for about $5.00. This year, though, I just bought a new 3 ring binder at Walmart, printed off extra cover pages to slip in the clear sleeve, and created a binder with it. ⠀⠀
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📌📌📌 If you use the planner this year, be sure to share and tag me in your photos! ❤️⠀  Download: https://avirtuouswoman.org/holiday-planner/ #linkinbio
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #christmas #holidayplanning #planningaddict #plannercommunity #freeprintables #thanksgiving #christmastree  #plannerobsessed
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