I feel so grateful to have worked with Rebecca, María Laura, and Lara as we navigated the dreamiest home water birth I could have imagined.
Thank you so much to Rebecca, Maria Laura, and Laura for the genuine and empowering care they provided us and our whole family. Pura Vida!!
My first pregnancy and birth did not go as planned. I had planned a home birth with an amazing midwife team in California, but was induced at 35 +5 because of a sudden onset of “severe preeclampsia.” My son was born vaginally and healthy- but was small (4lb 6 oz) and as a result had to spend the first 2 weeks of his life in the NICU. Henry’s birth was my initiation into motherhood, and I am grateful for the lessons and expansion that came with his birth, but I had always hoped for a redemptive home birth story for our second child.
Baby number 2 in Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Around Henry’s second birthday, we started trying for baby number 2. We got pregnant about 6 months later- which was longer than I expected it to take. We were sure we wanted to have the baby in Costa Rica this time around. We live here and wanted to be able to head home shortly after, rather than have to wait for a passport and travel internationally in the delicate postpartum time.
I began putting feelers out for home birth midwives in my circles. One of my friends (who had just had a home birth in rural Guanacaste) turned me on to Mamasol and let me know that Rebecca offered consultations and could answer any questions I had about home birth in Costa Rica. She referred to Rebecca as the “godmother of home birth in Costa Rica.” Once I connected with Rebecca for a phone call, she patiently answered all my questions about the systems and protocols for home birth in CR. To my surprise, she mentioned that she was actually available to attend my birth in December if we wanted to have the baby in Turrialba. I loved the idea of not being in San José and Turrialba seemed like a dreamy place.
Throughout my pregnancy, I had a few great virtual prenatal appointments with Rebecca. She also connected me with great doctors in San Jose for ultrasounds and blood work.
The waiting period
Our due date was December 12 and we made our way to Turri on December 1. We met Rebecca in person shortly after and instantly got along. December 12 came and went and next thing we knew it was December 19 and we were at 41 weeks. This waiting period was so difficult for me. I was convinced my baby would come early because my son arrived so early! Every morning, I’d curse the light of day angry that I didn’t have a baby yet. I was so very over being pregnant and so ready to meet my baby girl. This was a true lesson in patience and expansion for me. At 41 weeks, we got an ultrasound locally in Turrialba, and all still looked great so we kept on waiting.
The next morning, on the winter solstice, I woke up feeling a bit different. Coyotes were howling so loud that morning and it was pouring rain. We decided to have a mellow day of playing games and chilling indoors. Thankfully, my son’s grandma was with us to help entertain our wild 3 year old!
Time to call the midwives
While we were playing Rummy Kub, I started to feel some cramps. I didn’t want to get my hopes up because I had felt some cramps for weeks, but they slowly became more regular. We went for a sunset walk and my husband started collecting some flowers and casually pumped up the pool, just in case. Shortly after sunset, my mucus plug came out and my water broke. I knew at this point that it was happening that night. Finally, it was on! The waves started ramping up and we called the midwives. They had a feeling things would happen fast and instructed us to fill the pool.
Rebecca and the team arrived almost immediately and we got the party started with twinkle lights and an epic playlist. I knew I was about to enter labor land and begin my psychedelic journey to get my baby. Rebecca checked me, and I was at 6 cm and fully effaced. I was surprised when she asked if I wanted to get in the pool. I, of course, took her up on that and started laboring in the pool. The warm water felt amazing. My husband got in the water with me and was giving great back pressure during contractions and holding me during the rest times between. Grandma took my son upstairs because the vibe felt a bit too intense for him. I had imagined he would be there for the birth, but ultimately some space was a great call.
Frida, was born on the side of the Turrialba volcano, in the water, on the solstice
I labored for a couple hours and slowly started to feel some pushing urges. I pushed for what felt like too long and started to get discouraged. I think we all thought it would happen a bit faster. We did some position changes and at one point I reached down to feel her head. I could feel it, but also felt that she wasn’t super close. This was the motivation I needed to get her out. Slowly but surely I started to feel her crowning. This hurt… and my screams were fully primal at this point. Finally, she came out and it was the ultimate feeling of relief. Rebecca swiftly untangled the cord that was wrapped 3 times around her neck and brought her up to my chest. I did it! My baby girl, Frida, was born on the side of the Turrialba volcano, in the water, on the solstice. I was elated.
Words can’t describe how different the aftermath of this birth vs my hospital birth felt. We all tucked into bed as a family that night and woke up with our baby. We actually felt rested, and had time in a cozy place to bond as a family and debrief the wild vibes of the night before. I’m convinced that Frida’s soft entry into the world has helped her to adjust to life outside the womb so sweetly. She’s our perfect angel baby and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Thank you so much to Rebecca, Maria Laura, and Laura for the genuine and empowering care they provided us and our whole family. Pura Vida!!
Jackie George
