Birth Story: Norelai Noel

I woke up Friday morning at 5 am to a contraction. This is my fifth baby. I’ve had predromal labor since 36 weeks so I didn’t get too excited. I went to the bathroom and laid back down. Another contraction came around 5:30 am that made me sit up, I got up, got on the birth ball and told Eran “I might be in early labor.”

Contractions came sporadically with no pattern all day Friday. I started timing them but it didn’t give us much information- they were 25 min apart, sometimes 30 or 40 minutes apart. No pattern. Around 8:30 am I decided to lay down and nap in case this was the day. I slept until a contraction woke me at 9:30 am. We grabbed breakfast as a family and then I did the same thing at 11:30 am laid down for an hour nap. I hydrated and snacked and rested as much as possible. I let my midwives know I was probably in early labor but knew it could be days. The contractions felt moderately strong but lasted only 30-45 seconds sometimes a minute.

Around 3 pm I had a contraction that I needed support to get through and I went very inward. Eran let the midwives know and they offered to come and check me if I wanted- I said yes!

Between 4 and 5 pm I had 3 contractions different times apart but again I went really inward, used breathing to get through and wanted to get in the shower. At this point I said “I think I’m in active labor!”

I sat for 20 minutes in the shower on the birth ball using a detachable shower head every time I had a contraction. The midwives used their GA peach pass and made their way here more quickly. They arrived around 5:30 pm, watched me through a contraction and said “we don’t need to check you, you’re in labor” All 4 of my kids ages 19 mo-7 years old played in the living room and came in periodically to check on me or kiss me. These were such precious moments and I was amazed how they knew and adjusted to the moment.

Typically in labor I like to move and change positions but this time was very different. I did NOT want to stand. All I wanted to do was be on the birth ball. After mustering up some courage I went to the bathroom around 6 pm and it felt like the baby was going to fall out I had so much pelvic pressure. I used that opportunity to go into the living room and tell my kids the baby was coming soon!

I came back to my birth ball and used all my tools from Built to Birth, Christian hynobirthing, Mama Natural and Homebirth Nurse. I tried the mama natural birth comb for the first time and it was really helpful. I felt in control, able to do breathing, relax my jaw, low moans and find rhythms through each contraction.

When the birth pool was filled, I got in around 7 pm. The last baby I had at the birth center and loved being on my knees and resting over the pool. I immediately said “I don’t want to be on my knees” and I sat reclined and relaxed against the birth pool. My midwives offered continuous safety and support as I breathed through each contraction. I was nauseous and so I had a bag with peppermint oil. Each contraction I would inhale the peppermint oil and squeeze my birth comb. I could feel the baby continuing to descend. I had memorized and internalized almost the entire track in Christian Hypnobirthing so internally my mantra was “I give this birth over to our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit” and “when the time is right I surrender to increasing downward sensations” these two phrases kept me grounded and focused. Around 7:30 pm my legs begin to shake and I knew I was in transition.

I had dreaded transition because I had typically experienced myself panicking and unable to relax in previous births. I spent a lot of time praying for this births transition phase. During transition something amazing happened. I begin to experience joy and gratefulness. I smiled and cried saying “Jesus is with me. I’m so glad my children are here. I can do this.”

Around 7:50 pm the pressure was so intense I started verbalizing for help. I still felt in control just very uncomfortable. I have a history of high fluid and pushing with the sac still in tact which makes for very intense pushing. I had asked my midwives if they saw the amniotic sac during pushing could they help break it. They offered and I said yes. She was right there, sac in tact. They very gently broke it and within 5 minutes my body started pushing. I let out a primal sound and cried out for God to help. I had a break and said “I am in control of my body, it’s not stronger than me, it is me” with the next contraction, her head began to emerge and I started to breathe her out gently and let my body take the lead. Within 60 seconds, she was out and I caught her! I smiled and laughed. My 7 year old son saw her head come out and went to get his siblings. Everyone except the 19 month old met their baby sister before bed. It was precious.

She came so quickly that the midwives did need to work on getting some fluid out of her and helping her 02. She also had a knot in her cord. This is why I am so thankful to have qualified midwives. Almost all of this happened while she laid on my chest. She stayed attached receiving cord blood for 178 minutes. While we were sad the golden hour wasn’t ideal, Baby is perfect and all is well. I am grateful.

Noralei Noel

Born Friday, April 25, 2025 @ 7:57 pm

at home near Atlanta, GA

9lbs 4 ounces, 20 inches long