Birth Stories-the real deal
Gather round the campfire.
It is Birth Story Time!!
Women of the Earth Reclaim Birth!
Women of the Earth Reclaim Birth!
Listen to the stories of mothers, it is a lovely and logical way to prepare yourself in creating a Blissful Birth. It is through the experience of our sisters we learn some of our most profound lessons.
The best birth stories  are uplifting and leave you feeling empowered yet humbled, in a state of awe. And many will have you laughing while tears roll down the cheeks. This is Her-story, Your-story, OUR-Story ….humans being human. ENJOY!

- Given a Gentle
Beginning
- Given a Gentle
Beginning
Delilah’s Day-A mother of miracles!
My name is Melissa Ann Barrett-Desimone and and the mother to four beautiful children all of whom I delivered naturally. The main reason I decided on natural birth was for the simple fact that my mother and grandmothers have done it, if I was going to walk in their shoes I wanted the full experience, these are among some of the strongest woman I have ever met and admired. I wanted to be that strong women and I wanted to be a strong mother. I guess you can say that my pregnancy with my last child Delilah Daley was bound to be something special from the start. Believe it or not this pregnancy was that of a true miracle. Delilah was conceived on April 6, 2007 the very day my father passed away. News of finding out I was pregnant after my fathers burial gave me the precious gift of never doubting miracles or the spiritual after life again. I am for sure that they are real and happen every day.
My pregnancy with Delilah was so different from the others, I had no morning sickness and this one was smooth and had me feeling great. My expected due date was on Christmas but I know my body and I always deliver two or three weeks before. On December 11, 2007 while washing dishes I started to contract, so off we went to drop the kids off and on our way to Phelps memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow NY very excited that we will finally get to have our precious daughter in our hands. During the check up the midwives insist I do walk some laps around the hospital since my contractions were not strong and I was only dilated around 2cm. I have never had the chance to walk my labor out, see the experience with my other three was basically stay in the bed and just wait. Though my labors have all been pretty short its hard to stay in one place, even worst one position while contracting. I always had the urge to want to walk and move and doctors never allowed me to do so. I suppose one can say my experience with the other three was very impersonal, I felt as if I was just another sick patient.
As my husband and I walked the halls of Phelps for well over an hour I began to feel intense contractions, so intense to the point where I was leaning against the wall and doing my breathing exercise while my husband rubbed my lower back. The contractions were becoming stronger every step I took so I decided to go back to the room, another exam and still dilating slowly. What a disappointment the pain was so strong yet I was dilating slowly. I started to get stressed out and nervous, at this point I told my midwives I wanted an epidural. I remember the looks on their face, even my husbands face was that of shock. He knew how I had preached about the importance of natural birth, he knew I had done this before he knew I could do this again. The midwives also knew that I was able to do this again, but I felt I had nothing else to prove I just wanted to take the easy way out. I was caught up in the moment I had totally lost it at this point, where did my mind go. One of the midwives could tell and she looked me in the eye grabbed my hand and told me to relax, breath, and let the body do what its naturally capable of doing. She reminded me that stress is a labor blocker and will slow it down. Was this right, should I trust her, I had no idea but I remember just giving her a blank stare like what ever give me some pain meds.
At this point she moved on to the next step and tells us we are switching rooms, we will be going to the labor tub. She assures me that the hot water would make my contractions bearable and relieve me of my stress. I am thinking to myself, this lady has got to be kidding. Hot water relieving this pain yea that is going to take a miracle. (Did I mention I totally believe in miracles now) They filled the hot tub up, left the jets on, dimmed the lights and helped me right in. The moment I sat in there the pressure had been lifted off of me. I couldn’t believe my contractions were now bearable, I was able to move around freely in the tub, squat, let the jets massage my back during contractions, my husband was soothing my neck and now my entire mind was at the I can do this stage. There was no more stress, just a calm soothing feeling. This was crazy could it be that hot water, a relaxed atmosphere, and a different mind set can really get me through this with no epidural. Yes its true the epidural was no longer an option, I was back to my original plan.
Sitting there enjoying my labor every step of the way, and an hour later I feel this amazing POP, my water broke. We call for the midwives who are as happy as we are. I feel a lot of pressure down there and a strong urge to push. One of the midwives ask me if I would like to push in the water or on the bed, now here is my only regret I get out of the water and opt for the bed. Don’t ask me why I guess I let excitement and nerves get the best of me at this moment. So there I am on the bed a few strong pushes later and out comes our beautiful baby girl. Delilah Daley Desimone, resembling my father even my husband said it with a face full of tears.
This delivery was one of the most joyful soulful experiences I have ever had in my life. I am forever grateful for the most supportive birthing partner who believed in me, and the midwives at Phelps Memorial Hospital who never caved into my demands for an epidural and believed in the very things I am passionate about when it comes to labor and delivery. This is one of those moments that you do not get a do over. I hope you have all enjoyed reading my story and remember labor is natural please explore your options and look for wonderful midwives or doulas in your area, they are definitely special souls.
Sincerely,
Melissa Ann Barrett-Desimone
Beautiful Mother Melissa & her 4 natural-birth children!
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HomeBirth Angel Kennedy
“Jazz Gives Birth:
HomeBirth Angel Kennedy