MacKenzie's Birth Story

I met MacKenzie and Dylan less than a week before she was set to be induced to deliver her baby girl. I needed one more birth experience for some required documentation, and I put out a feeler in our local mom group. We connected and they were happy to let me assist!

Early in the morning of April 22, MacKenzie (Kenzie) and Dylan headed to the hospital and arrived at 7 to begin the induction process. They started her on a low dose of Pitocin, which is when she sent me a message and let me know that she was ready for me to come. I headed to the hospital, birth bag in hand. Kenzie had shared prior that she wished to have an all-natural, unmedicated birth. For her, this meant not having an epidural. She let me know she was a little apprehensive about the whole thing, though she had given birth twice prior. I let her know I would be there the entire time, supporting her however that may look.

A few hours went by before Kenzie really started feeling her contractions. She was able to move around freely, so she took all the opportunity to do that. I had her switch from the yoga ball, to walking around, to laying down with the peanut ball, and even spending time sitting on the toilet, which both helps open up the pelvis and can relieve some back labor pain. As the pain increased and the contractions got closer and closer together, Kenzie moved to the shower to let the warm water ease some of the contraction pain. Throughout the entire process, she dug deep into her strength and found exactly what she needed to get her through the next second, minute, hour.

The midwife wanted to check her around 5:30 p.m. that day and when she did, she was ready to push. She looked at me and said, "Kristina, I want the epidural now." and as I looked back at her I couldn't tell her that there was no time for the epidural-her baby girl was coming right then!

Soon after, she got the urge to push and her body took over for her. Around 6:00 p.m. that evening, baby girl Leightyn was born. I could instantly tell that both Dylan and Kenzie were absolutely in love.

If I had to take one moment away from this birth, it would be Kenzie's strength. She was anxious, but pushed past it and though the pain became unbearable, somehow she found the strength to continue because she knew she'd be meeting her baby girl that night. It was truly amazing to see.

Birth is beautiful, women are powerful-that's all. Happy birthing!