Levi’s 41 Week Quick Home Birth
Watch the birth film below ***
41 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I was exhausted, grumpy, and my nervous system felt completely fried. After weeks of prodromal labor, I was just… over it. My midwife mentioned that once I hit 41 weeks, I could try the midwives brew, and she had seen a high success rate at that point. That was all I needed to hear.
I picked up the concoction from her after my 41-week sonogram and planned to take it the next day around 1pm. That morning, I woke up feeling a mix of everything—excited, hopeful, nervous, and a little skeptical. The kids were at their hybrid homeschool, so I had the house to myself, which felt tranquil. I awkwardly cleaned, not really accomplishing much, just trying to stay busy through the butterflies in my stomach. I took the dog for a walk and did lots of curb walking, hoping to get things moving. I ate an early lunch to give my stomach time to settle, and my chiropractor came by for an adjustment right before.
Around 1:30pm, I started mixing the brew. It felt like a science experiment—and it definitely wasn’t tasty. I started sipping it, but my midwife quickly corrected me: just down it. So I did.
At first, nothing. Then pretty quickly, I felt nauseous and completely wiped. I laid down in bed and let it pass over me for about 30 minutes. And then… it lifted. I felt normal again.
About an hour after taking it, I begin to feel contractions. But after weeks of feeling these, I didn’t think much of it. It was gentle. Then another came about 10 minutes later.
Labor seemed to ease in gradually after the brew at 1:50pm, starting with that wave of nausea and fatigue before settling into mild, somewhat irregular contractions around 2:50pm. By late afternoon, the contractions started building—stronger, closer together, and very much in my back. I tried to focus on them coming as I was nervous they would fizzle out again. My husband, Jordan, picked up the kids from school and took them upstairs to play as he finished some work. I stayed in our quiet, dark bedroom, in hopes that the peace would keep things moving forward.
A sweet friend took my kids out for a bit right as things were starting to build. She knew I needed to focus, and really, the distraction of my other kids kept raising my stress. The quiet time gave me space to really tune in.
By early evening, everything shifted. The contractions became intense, close, and demanding. My body started shaking on and off-I think partly from a few strong ones but partly from the unknown. And then around 6:00pm, my water broke—or what I thought was my water. Later my midwife told me it was actually the outer layer, but it was enough fluid to know: this is it.
I texted my birth team, and they immediately headed over.
I hopped in the shower, put on some waterproof mascara (priorities), and one by one, everyone arrived. I was still chatty, laughing, swaying through contractions that were manageable. It felt light and exciting—but my team knew me well. They knew I go from 0 to 60 fast, so they stayed close.
When my midwife checked me, just out of curiosity to see my progress…I was already at a 6. I was shocked—but also knew that meant things were about to flip quickly. We had my mother-in-law head over, and my friend brought the kids back shortly after—perfect timing.
About 20 minutes later, I had to really start focusing through contractions. I leaned forward, breathing deeply. After a few rounds, I got into the warm tub, and it felt amazing on my aching back.
The end was near. I was gripping the tub, moaning through contractions… I could feel my baby getting so close.
And then… pushing. My least favorite part.
This time felt harder than some of my other births. I was pushing with everything I had. I gripped onto my husbands arms so tightly, surely I was hurting him, I thought. It felt like it went on forever, and my endurance was fading. But I knew—this was it. The only way out was through.
After about 10 minutes of intense, all-consuming pushing, he was out.
9 pounds 7 ounces. Big, chubby, adorable. Born at 8:24 pm. 22in long.
He cried, and he was placed on my chest. What a relief to be on the other side! I analyzed his face, always so excited to see what my baby looks like, and how they resemble their siblings! All 3 of my kids stood there quiet, they had just witnessed the entire birth!
Just like with each and every one of our baby’s births, it was beautiful and unforgettable. A moment I’ll always cherish. 🤍
Photos and Video by Aubrey at Nurturing Dawn Birth Services
Midwife Jennifer with Birth Experience Midwifery Care
Doula Courtney with SA Birth Blessings
