In honor of my second son's 2nd birthday, I figured I’d share my home birth story—my reasons behind it and why it was one of the best choices I’ve made personally. This was inspired by a DM I received on our Instagram, @irene_organics.

It was such an amazing experience, and if you're someone who is considering a home birth, I highly recommend it—if you have a healthy, low-risk pregnancy!

This was my second birth. My first was a medicated hospital birth (you can read my first birth story here). Although I had a fairly easy vaginal birth with Pitocin and an epidural, there were a few things that just felt off.

Before having my first, my birth plan was very simple: no pain medication, allowed food and drink during labor, delayed cord clamping, no episiotomy, and immediate skin-to-skin. I didn’t do much research, but I knew those were the basics.

With my first, my birth plan quickly went out the window when my water broke at 37 weeks and I was forced onto Pitocin. The doctors told me I needed to give birth within 24 hours so the baby wouldn't be at risk for an infection—which I later found out was false information. With Pitocin, my contractions came on so strongly with barely any rest in between, which led me to get an epidural. After my baby was born, the umbilical cord was clamped after only 60 seconds (hospital policy didn’t allow more than that).

 

Anyway… when I became pregnant with my second baby, I again knew I wanted an unmedicated birth—but this time, I was determined to educate myself and do my research to make sure things went my way. With my first, I was very compliant and felt I was taken advantage of when I was most vulnerable. Not this time! I knew I needed to advocate for myself and have a birthing team around me that I trusted 100%!

Choosing Home Birth

Early in my second pregnancy, home birth never even occurred to me. I was originally planning another hospital birth since that's the norm. It wasn’t until I was 7 months pregnant and discussing with my husband who would stay with our 2-year-old while we went to the hospital that I said, “I honestly wish I didn’t have to leave home.” My husband replied, “You know you don’t have to!”

Then it dawned on me—home birth, duh!

The next day, I was Googling midwives in my NYC area and found Cosmos Midwifery. I scheduled a consultation and wrote down all my questions—most of which were safety-related.  wanted to really understand the pros and cons. It was also amazing that my health insurance covered almost 100% of my home birth.

Preparing for Childbirth

One of the best purchases I made while preparing for my home birth was Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. I learned so much from it, especially about the science behind physiological birth. The positive natural birth stories were incredibly encouraging!

Another essential was using my Irene Organics Perineal Oil. Starting in your third trimester, it’s beneficial to do perineal massages 2–3 times a week to help your perineum stretch and reduce the risk of tearing during childbirth. This time around, I had no tearing at all! (With my first birth, I had a first-degree tear that required three stitches.) Zero tearing means a much better recovery!

That said, my Herbal Postpartum Spray was still an essential right after birth—the cooling effect on your whoo-ha is heavenly!

Another must in your third trimester is adding Red Raspberry Leaf Tea to your routine to help strengthen the uterus and support postpartum healing. 

Most importantly, be thorough with your birth plan.

My Labor & Birth Timeline

Since my first son came at 37 weeks, I was sure baby #2 would come early too—but nope. I hit 38 weeks and kept wondering when he’d arrive. I was getting uncomfortable, so my midwife asked if I wanted a membrane sweep. (About 50% of women go into labor within 24 hours after a sweep.) I agreed, and I was already 3 cm dilated—still, several days went by and nothing.

At 38+5, I had an appointment with my chiropractor, Dr. ReAlign NY. I’d just started going at 37 weeks because my baby was in a posterior position (which can make labor longer and more painful). My midwife suggested getting an adjustment, and the baby flipped into the right position that same week. Yay!

At 39+2, still no baby. That night, around 9:00 p.m., I used my foot massager. About 15 minutes in, I started feeling light contractions that came and went depending on whether the massager was on. After 45 minutes, I decided to get some rest.

At 2:00 a.m., I woke up feeling like I’d peed myself. I wasn’t sure if my water had broken because it wasn’t a big gush like last time. I changed my underwear and went back to bed. About 20 minutes later, I felt wet again—this time I knew it was my water slowly trickling out. Still, no contractions, so I went back to sleep.

At 5:00 a.m., my husband's alarm rang for work. I told him, “You're not going to work today—my water broke last night, so the baby may be here today or tomorrow. Oh, and Happy Birthday!” (Yep, my husband and second son share a birthday!) He freaked out in excitement.

I asked him to handle our toddler while I tried to rest more. Contractions were light, about every 12–15 minutes.

By 11:00 a.m., I had breakfast and nursed my 2-year-old before putting him down for a nap—and then, BOOM, contractions picked up big time. They were stronger and more consistent.

At 12:00 p.m., my midwife texted to check in. I told her things were progressing, and she replied, “I’m in my car outside your house—my gut told me to come.” (She knew as a second-time mom, things could go fast.)

By 2:00 p.m., contractions were about every 7–8 minutes. My husband started getting the birthing pool ready.

At 3:00 p.m., our toddler woke up from his nap, and my dad took him out so I could focus on labor without any distractions.

By 3:30 p.m., I was in the birthing pool—so relaxing! Between contractions, I was smiling, laughing, and chatting like nothing was happening.

At 5:00 p.m., contractions became intense. I was having hot flashes, then shivering. I was exhausted and asked my midwife to check me—I was 8 cm! So close!

At 6:00 p.m., contractions slowed. My midwife suggested I get out of the pool to get things moving again—and it worked.

At 7:30 p.m., lying on the couch, I felt the urge to push. I was so tired, I didn’t want to move. I pushed in a side-lying position while my body shook uncontrollably from the adrenaline.

At 8:00 p.m., I knew I needed gravity’s help. I got on all fours on the living room floor and kept pushing.

By 8:30 p.m., I was pushing every two minutes. I shifted into a squat position, leaning on my husband for support.

At 8:38 p.m., my son was born. I felt empowered, euphoric—the birth high is real! I laid on the floor with him on my chest, smiling uncontrollably. I couldn't believe I’d just birthed my baby in my living room.

At 8:58 p.m., still holding my baby, I gave a little push and the placenta flew out.

We left the umbilical cord attached for 1.5 hours until it stopped pulsing. During that time, we did skin-to-skin and FaceTimed our family to let them know the baby had arrived and we were all well and healthy. Within 30 minutes, my baby was rooting and latched onto my breast—still attached to the cord!

He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and was the most alert newborn I’ve ever seen.

Being able to shower and sleep in my own bed afterward made it all the more magical.

Why I Chose a Natural Home Birth

• No side effects or risks of medication
• Lower risk of c-section
• Lower risk of tearing
• Freedom to eat and drink during labor
• Freedom to move and birth in any position
• No IVs, fetal monitors, or BP cuffs
• Calming environment—dim lights, soft music
• I had a birthing team who I trusted 100%
• No panicked hospital rush
• Lower risk of postpartum depression or anxiety
• Easier recovery
• No long term childcare worries for my toddler
• Delayed cord clamping
• No antibiotic eye ointment
• No Vitamin K shot (we chose oral)
• No Hep B shot
  

Many may judge or say home birth is unsafe, but I encourage you to do your research. A home birth with an experienced midwife is very safe—and there’s always a Plan B, C, etc. if needed. I had a low-risk pregnancy and was confident in my body’s ability to do this.

It was such a wonderful experience—I only wish I had done it the first time. I don’t plan on having more babies, …but damn, I would love to experience natural childbirth again—and that incredible birth high.

If you have any questions about home birth, I’d be more than happy to answer them!

Email me at: info@irene-organics.com and be sure to follow me on Instagram