Rockwell Devin Bennett's birth story

I think I must have been inspired to take this because Sunday evening I thought to myself that I ought to get a picture of my belly (and asap since my due date was just three days away). Sure enough, that must have been what Rock was waiting for. Bry had to go to a training at the church after dinner so I put the kids to bed by myself, still feeling fine. When Bry got home we turned on the television. Right before we went back to get ready for bed ourselves I had a couple strong contractions. I was suspicious but decided to try and sleep anyway. After lying in bed for 15 minutes or so I was pretty sure this was going to be the real thing. Things moved insanely quick after that. Bryson called our midwife Cathy and started filling up the pool while I labored. About an hour later I got in the water which gave me a lot of relief from the contractions. Cathy arrived shortly after that. She checked me and announced I was nearly fully dialated. Bryson called my mom and my sister Laura to hurry and come over. They walked in just as I started pushing and watched Rockwell be born a couple of minutes later. He was born at 2:07 am, just under three hours from the time my labor began.

Pushing is really painful for me and I'm so glad it was over quickly. I wish the labor part would progress a little slower though. Ever been hit by a freight train? I'm pretty sure it feels like going from 0 to 10 in 2ish hours. I love it when people tell me I'm lucky to have such quick labors-like they must be so easy. Ha ha! (Sorry about the sweaty cleavage. These photos definitely are the real deal. Not like the pictures people post of themselves and their new babies in which they've done their hair and makeup. lol) The baby was born in the water and I will never forget Cathy instructing me to reach down and pick up my baby. I was the one that lifted his body out of the water and into my arms. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. It wasn't until nearly a minute later that I remembered we didn't know the baby's sex and thought to check. Sure enough, it was a little boy, just like Bry had predicted from the beginning. We sat in the pool for 1/2 hour just admiring our little guy. Cathy was wonderful through it all. She brought a calming presence into our home and it felt totally natural to have her be part of the birth.

The other person I couldn't have done it without was my angel husband Bryson. He got the pool ready, brought me a bowl to puke in-and disposed of it, sponged my forehead with a cool wash cloth when I got hot in the water, and let me squeeze all feeling out of his arm while I was pushing. I adore my better half.

It was really special to have my sister Laura and my mom present when the baby was born. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about people besides Bryson and our midwife seeing me in such a vulnerable state, but I was grateful for their quiet support and love afterwards. Laura even got to cut the cord!

It was such a nice change to be right there while Cathy gave Rockwell a checkup. I always felt excluded from all of that when I had my babies at the hospital. This time I got to be part of it and Rockwell and I didn't have to be separated. When Cathy checked me out I was stoked to learn I didn't tear at all! First time that has happened. It made my recovery a breeze.

That night, our home really felt like a temple. Heaven felt so close while we held our new little guy.

One of the things that really stands out about my labor was how ultra-aware I was of everything. I had a natural labor and delivery with Eleyna but I can't really remember anything about my labor except for the drive to the hospital and everything that happened after that. This time my senses were so heightened, especially during the breaks between contractions. It was almost like I was watching everything unfold from outside my body.

It was really fun to introduce Eleyna to her new brother the next morning in the familiarity of mom and dad's bed. I can't say how great it was to get to sleep in my own bed and use my own bathroom those first couple of days after the baby was born. Much better than the hospital! I feel so lucky to have been blessed with such an amazing birth and healthy little boy. I feel so blessed to be a wife and mother. Three kids is BUSY, but fun.The home birth experience gets an A+. I will definitely do it again.