When my first baby, M, was born three years ago, it was a transformational experience, one I know so many other mothers share when they have their first baby. It was filled with joy, fear, surprises, and a strength far greater than I knew I had in me. As I prepared for that first delivery, I found myself drawn to reading positive birth stories from other mothers.
Over the past few years, I have met so many women who share this same experience of exchanging stories about their children’s births. These stories don’t just connect us; they have the power to encourage and steady expectant mothers as they approach their own delivery.
Three of my friends have graciously allowed their labor and delivery stories to be shared here. The first, written from my perspective, is the story of a dear friend whose birth I had the privilege to attend. The second and third are firsthand accounts, shared in their own words. Each one is a beautiful example of expectations being challenged yet finding beauty in the unexpected.
They are only a small glimpse into the many different ways we are brought into motherhood. My hope is that wherever you find yourself, expecting your first baby, years removed from your last delivery, or simply walking alongside someone who is preparing for birth, you will find the same joy, strength, and encouragement these mothers experienced as they met their babies.
Savannah: Calm in the Unknown
Savannah’s pregnancy had been filled with unexpected changes in her care. The birthing center she had felt so confident in suddenly closed, leaving her with little time to reshape her delivery plan. When one of the midwives from that center opened her own practice, it felt like things were falling back into place. Savannah would be able to deliver her baby in the comfort of her home.
But at her 34-week appointment, everything shifted again.
Her midwife grew concerned about her blood pressure. I happened to be visiting Savannah that day, and I could see the writing on the wall. That evening, when she checked her blood pressure again, it was high, alarmingly high. We both knew what that meant. It was time to go to the hospital for closer evaluation.
I watched the fear and uncertainty rise in her, and gently said, “Take a deep breath. Take a few minutes and go pack a bag, comfy clothes, comfort items, anything you might want if they keep you for a little while.” In moments during pregnancy that feel out of our control, even something small like packing your own bag can help you reclaim a sense of steadiness.
Within hours of arriving at the hospital, Savannah was told she was showing signs of preeclampsia. The recommendation was clear: delivery. Six weeks before her due date, the unknowns felt overwhelming. And yet, in the face of it all, Savannah remained calm. With trust in her doctors and nurses and having positive support alongside her, she moved forward with quiet strength.
The process progressed quickly. At 2 a.m., she was told she would need to be induced, and by 2 p.m. that same day, strong, consistent contractions had taken over.
I had the privilege of being present for Savannah’s labor and delivery, and one thing stood out above all else as the anchor that kept her experience grounded and positive, even as so much of her original plan slipped away: her husband.
Jack was the kind of support every laboring woman deserves. He was steady, attentive, and deeply present, right by her side whenever she needed him. He asked what she needed, advocated for her when she couldn’t herself, and met her intensity. He protected the atmosphere of the room, keeping it light, safe, and free from fear.
Eleven hours into her induction, it was clear she was close. After a brief moment to help reposition the baby, she was ready. After a short period of pushing, her baby arrived.
Because her daughter was six weeks early, Savannah didn’t get the golden hour she had envisioned. Instead, there was a brief, precious snuggle before her baby was taken to the NICU for evaluation, with Jack by her side. Savannah was cared for tenderly before being moved to her postpartum room.
The next day brought its own challenges. Because of the magnesium drip to manage her preeclampsia, Savannah couldn’t visit her baby in the NICU for the first 24 hours. The separation was heavy. And yet, amid that, a nurse brought her baby to her room for a short visit, a small act that felt like an extraordinary gift.
As soon as she was able, Savannah made her way to the NICU, finally holding her daughter again, soaking in the time they had both been waiting for.
Savannah’s birth was not what she had planned. It was not the setting she had envisioned, nor the timeline she had hoped for. And yet, her story is not one of disappointment; it is one of strength, trust, and love, even in the unknown.
Rachel: The Support That Changed Everything
At 40 weeks and 3 days, I woke up at 4 in the morning with some pretty intense contractions, following a membrane sweep I had in triage the night before. I woke my husband up and told him it might be baby day, and got into a warm shower to relax and time my contractions. They were fairly strong and close together, and I felt that we needed to leave to make it to the hospital soon, since this was my second birth and there was a possibility that this baby would come quicker than our first.
When I arrived at triage around 5:30 AM, I was only 4 cm dilated, exactly what I was the night before. I was instantly discouraged. With how intense my contractions were, the back labor, and not progressing despite all the discomfort, I got in my head and started to panic. I was admitted to labor and delivery around 6:30 AM when I reached 5 cm, and at this point, I was not mentally handling the pain well. I was scared my labor would progress super slowly. Little did I know that in less than 4 hours, my baby would be in my arms.
Once moved to the delivery room, I wasn’t dilating very quickly at first, and because my baby was sunny side up, my back labor was extremely intense. I started to panic when I realized that I wasn’t progressing hardly at all despite all the pain. That panic led me to tense up and let fear take over, and I asked for the epidural, even though I knew this really wasn’t what I wanted.
When my midwife came and sat with me, she said, “I know that you asked for the epidural, and we absolutely can get that for you. But I know that’s not what you’ve wanted and that this is really important to you. I have a plan of how to get this labor progressing that will get the baby here faster, and you won’t need the epidural. Do you want to try that?”
Her plan sounded good to me. We broke my water to help bring the baby down and used nitrous oxide to help calm my mind. It worked beautifully.
I knew it was time to push when I felt my body naturally do so. I asked to be checked one more time to be sure, and only one hour after having my water broken, I had gone from 5 cm to 10 cm and was ready to push. It was such a relief to have something to do with my contractions. Pushing is a welcome thing after breathing and moving through contractions for the bulk of labor.
My first birth was an induction without an epidural, so I was hoping this one would be spontaneous labor and less painful. Ironically, this unmedicated spontaneous labor was way more intense but moved so much more quickly, which was a welcome trade-off. In less than four hours, my baby was in my arms, and I achieved the birth I wanted.
Rhuna: Strength in my Preparation
I woke up in the middle of the night two weeks before my due date, and my water had broken. I wasn’t expecting it so soon. I had no contractions, and we were two hours from the hospital where I preferred to give birth, so we decided to head over there. They started talking about induction, which I really did not want. I made it known that I wanted to wait as long as possible, and thankfully, labor began on its own. From there, my body took over, and things progressed normally and quickly.
This was my first birth, and there is that unavoidable mystery. Things started to get really intense, with little break between each strong contraction. I thought, “What if I actually can’t do it?” It had only been a few hours. Now I know you really can’t compare your birth to anyone else’s, and when you get to the point of feeling like you can’t go on, you’re almost done.
I began to feel an uncontrollable urge to push, and my body truly began pushing on its own without any conscious decision. I got into my preferred position, on my knees, and my body did all the pushing in a few minutes. The baby was here.
It was so challenging, difficult, and intense, but equally transformative, beautiful, and wonderful. Any lingering doubts I had about my ability to birth were gone. The confidence I gained from this experience is immeasurable.
The moment my baby arrived, they put him in my arms, and I began to cry with joy. I looked at my husband and said, “That wasn’t that bad.” I was truly shocked by how well it went.
I found my strength in my preparation. I learned everything I could. I dealt with my fears and built a mental state that was conducive to a positive birth. I was supported perfectly, so I didn’t have to do it alone.
I used to fear it all so much. Now I feel so blessed to be a woman and to experience these incredible, transformative moments that transcend the normal human experience. Bringing a child into the world, pain and all, is wonderful.
I want each mom to know that she can do this. I want each mom to feel empowered to give birth the way she feels is best. Knowledge and preparation are the only ways to bring your desire to life.
