Ethan Dax Colosky is 1 year old today!!

The Birth Story of Ethan Dax Colosky

[told by his mother Jacelin]

I enjoyed a healthy and easy pregnancy physically. Emotionally and mentally I sometimes felt like I was in a bit of a time crunch - like the end of the semester in college, with finals looming, papers due.

I tried to stay in the moment, and savor that special time with my 1&1/2 year old daughter Gretchin. She was the center of my universe and I was worried about how our relationship would change once the new baby arrived. I didn't know how to reconcile my feeling of anticipation for meeting and welcoming the new baby with the angst of how I would be able to give them both enough. Plus, my husband David and I were still trying to figure out how to be parents in general, and here was more on the way! Not surprisingly my meditation word became, "Surrender."

Friday night before the baby was due on Monday, my husband and baby daughter were taking hay to the cows on the tractor. When they

crossed the creek, the two left wheels fell off the low water crossing. They were stuck and in danger of rolling into the water. The next morning, as David and my Dad tried to pull the tractor out of the creek, I started having intermittent contractions. There were some scary moments and I was worried about their safety (and our expensive tractor). When I couldn't take it anymore, I asked if they wouldn't mind just calling a big rig wrecker. Amazing how The Woman In Labor Incurs No Dissent.

Even though the excitement was done, the countdown could not be stopped. Contractions remained intermittent until late that night. I got some rest before things kicked up a notch, and I got up around 2:00 with contractions consistently 15 minutes apart. I was in a good mood and relaxed in the knowledge that I was not going to have to go anywhere; whatever and whoever I needed would come to me. My baby girl was sleeping peacefully, the birth kit was ready, the birth pool aired up.

I paced the living room and kitchen. David had not gone to bed. He took notes, offered support. Sometime in the early morning hours he went outside to clear his head. He was having a little "Here We Go" talk with God when he got a private rain shower.

About 7 a.m. Sunday morning I decided it was late enough to call Christy and my parents to come get Gretchin. I lost track of time as contractions got closer and harder. I vaguely remember talking to Gretchin when she got up and my parents coming to get her in time for church.

Christy got here around 10 a.m. I remember being worried about how far I'd progressed. With my daughter's birth I'd stalled at 2 cm. I knew mentally that the situation could not repeat, but emotionally I was still nervous; it was a milestone. So I asked to her examine me and she said I was at 5 cm. That was very reassuring to me that I could, in fact, do this.

Christy helped me change how I was dealing with the contractions too. I'd been bending over, trying to separate myself from my uterus; isolating the pain. She said it was time to embrace it, sink into them. So I sat on the ball and she held my hands and talked or sang me through the waves. It was hard, but lovely. And things moved along fairly quickly.

David got started filling the pool, which took forever. At some point my friend Nancy, who is very spiritual, arrived. I think David talked to her on the phone. The cool thing about this happening on a Sunday morning is that my parents announced it in church and the congregation prayed for me/us. I swear I felt it.

I stripped down and got in the pool for a while. Somebody opened the living room window next to it and removed the screen - it was a nice day. I remember the breeze on my face and watching the chickens in the barn yard. I also remember Christy holding me from behind and Nancy from the side during contractions. David leaned in the window. I ate a pear, drank some Recharge.

After a while, I found it uncomfortable for my legs to touch my belly while contracting (in the pool). So, I decided to get out and go to the bathroom; take a break, change of scene. I was going to do a lap around the living room, and go potty.....

Well, I got to the end of the couch and had a tough one. When it was over (or during!), I decided I couldn't do it anymore, how long would it take to get to the hospital and could I survive that long. Seemed I would die before this baby was born! I got mad/frustrated/scared - stood up and said something like "...how much longer..." and my water broke, just like in the movies! Splashed all over David's feet. I made it to the other end of the couch and started pushing. They got the birth stool for me, and a beautiful baby boy was born 11 minutes and 3 pushes later. Ten pounds, 1 ounce of baby boy. I knew I needed to slow it down, but couldn't. Christy only had time to get one glove on! I had to bend backwards (not forwards) to push some, just like with my first, and I'm glad I was allowed to trust my body and do so.

It was awesome to be able to move during labor. And when it was done, I took two steps and laid down on the futon, which was all prepped for me. Basically didn't move for 2 days, except to use the bathroom. It was a perfect set up. I had my music and candles going, lights and temperature how I wanted them. Awesome.

I snuggled with my baby and he nursed like he knew what he was doing. I showered and Christy and Meredith stitched me up. Meredith was wonderful too and took pictures and video for us. Christy stayed for about 3 hours after the birth, getting us all settled. I think they cut the cord two hours after he was born. My husband, new son, and I all snuggled down for a rest as she left. A few hours later my parents brought my daughter home to meet her new brother/their grandson.

Home birth was, and breastfeeding continues to be, two of the highlights of my life. You jut know you're making the world a better place when love is allowed to lead like that.

We were high for a while after. My husband said it was up to me, but he was up for six more! (He has since changed his mind.) I have a friend who said we women gain this quiet inner strength and confidence from home birth. It's our husbands who become activists!