Part TWO: Welcoming Baby Tyler into the World.

Be sure to catch Part ONE of the Birth Story before reading Part TWO below. There are also three birth videos in this post. I hope you enjoy!

(Birth Video Part 1 Above — A Family Affair)

The decision to deliver at home is not one I take lightly. My first three births took place in a hospital. They were traditional non-complicated vaginal deliveries with the typical pains and aches of recovery. However, deep down, I knew my experience could be more impactful, peaceful, and empowering. I also believed that my recovery could be smoother. Right before the pandemic, I found out I was pregnant with my fourth, Janel James. I began the process of pursuing a traditional hospital birth, but I did not feel confident in my decision. My dissonance over the in-office OB GYN and hospital pandemic protocols is what prompted me to research home birth, and I am so grateful to have made the transition to home birth for labor and delivery with JJ. When I found out I was pregnant with baby boy, I immediately knew I would aim for an at-home delivery once again. I had a rockstar birth team for JJ’s birth, and an incredible experience, so I contacted my midwife and doula right away when I found out I was pregnant, and we prepared for the at-home delivery of Tyler Tress.

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On Wednesday, June 15, when I got to my acupuncture appointment, I texted my midwife, Michelle Gallagher, and my doula, Tanya Grazione, to let them know that I was getting good contractions and would keep them posted! I told my chiropractor that I was in early labor but I still wanted to go through with the appointment. I could tell this made her slightly nervous, but we carried on. I did not want my contractions to fizzle like they had for several days in a row, so I decided it was best to move forward with the 20 minute acupuncture appointment. I listened to my Christian Hypnobirthing tracks and relaxed during the appointment. I started timing my contractions and noticed they were only a few minutes apart and increasing in intensity. I finished up with a quick chiropractic adjustment and then headed home.

Before I even pulled out of the parking lot, I texted my birth team again to say that I was pretty certain the baby was coming later that day. I looped back once I arrived home and put my videographer and photographer on alert. My birth team knows me well enough to know to immediately drive to my house if I say “I’m certain that baby is coming.” Michelle and Tayna headed my way and arrived around 2:30 pm along with my photographer, Erika Johnson. My mom picked up the big kids from summer camp and they arrived shortly thereafter. My videographer, Jesse French-King,  arrived close to 3:30. The whole team was there – it was time to have a baby.

I typically deliver at night, so I was surprised to be in active labor during full daylight. I told my birth team that I wanted to truly enjoy the entire process of labor and delivery … and I can say with certainty that it was the most joy-filled afternoon and evening of my life.

After my doula and midwife arrived at the house, we went out on a short walk to keep the contractions going nice and strong. We then headed inside and ordered some acai bowls for the whole gang. We ate around 4 pm, relaxed, I went up and down the stairs a few times (sideways by two), and then we headed out for a second walk around 4:30 pm -- this time with the kiddos and dog in tow.

My contractions were coming much stronger at this point, and I found it helpful to stand and sway or squat as I breathed through the contractions.

I remarked to my birth team that I was likely the happiest person in active labor who they had worked with. I was genuinely thrilled to be hours away from meeting baby boy. I experienced no fear - only excitement, peace and confidence.

I posted the following prayer on social media:

“I am in labor!!! Woo hoo. It’s game time baby boy 💙

My prayer for this home birth. 🙏🏻 To remain strong and powerful. To stay positive and push away all fear. To translate a “contraction” as a productive and empowering experience to bring me to the end of a beautiful story. To trust God to work out everything according to His plan — from the big things to the littlest things. Stay tuned. 💙🙏🏻”

After we took a walk with the family, I went upstairs to my master bedroom with Brandon to set up the birth pool, change into my bathing suit, and relax while listening to my Christian Hypnobirthing Tracks. My plan was to deliver in my master bathroom which we had prepared with beautiful flowers (hydrangeas – my favorite), candles, and the birth pool.

After relaxing in bed, I felt my contractions gaining intensity, so I went outside into the hot tub with Brandon after 5:30 pm. My surges were coming 2 minutes apart or less, but once I got into the hut tub, they gained both speed and strength. Even with intense contractions, I was still able to laugh and converse with my birth team.

I continued listening to my hypnobirthing tracks, and experienced a wonderful emotional release while hearing scripture and prayers for baby boy. My doula knew that I was close to transition once this emotional release occurred, so I could hear my birth team discussing if the tub was already full upstairs.
At this point, I looked over at my midwife and said, “I’ll stay in the hot tub for 10 more contractions before going upstairs to the birthing pool.”

However, about 3 or 4 contractions after I told my midwife I would journey up two flights of stairs to my bedroom “after 10 contractions” I was already feeling the urge to push. The question then became … should I risk leaving the backyard and delivering on the stairs on the way up to my bedroom … or should we prepare the hot tub for baby boy’s arrival.

The decision was clear to my birth team and they quickly set up a towel under me in the hot tub. They instructed Brandon to add more pressure on my back and soon, I was experiencing transition— the final stage of labor. Right as this was transpiring, Emma and Cole came around the side of the hot tub to check on me and be sure I knew they were there.

I breathed through a few exceptionally intense surges all while staying in a deep squat (like the ones we do during FASTer Way Monday HIIT workout warm-ups), and I could feel baby boy moving into position. During this birth, more than my previous four, I was truly in tune with the baby and could feel that we were on the same team as he worked to move his way through the birth canal.

At 6:37, Brandon knew that baby was coming soon, so he set up his iPhone to capture the final few moments before we became a family of 7. I am so grateful he did this, because I now have the raw, unedited, powerful moment on camera when I first met my precious Tyler.

A few minutes after he set up the phone, I had an intense urge to push, and my water broke. Throughout the entire process I was focused on my hypnobirthing tracks and breathing effectively through contractions as baby did the hard work of finding the right path.

(Birth Video Part 2 Above — A short video version of the labor and delivery process)

Minutes later I pushed again and Tanya said, “Good job mama, you can do this.” To which I responded through tears … “Yes – I’ve got this …”

Through the next contraction, I bore baby boy down while Michelle told me to take it slow and breathe. I experienced the ring of fire, and knew that his head had come out which was confirmed by my midwife — what a relief!

Now it was time for the rest of his body. With one final contraction less than a minute later, I breathed Baby Tyler into the hot tub and into my arms at 6:53 pm.

Seeing baby boy for the first time was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it now. I was so relieved to meet him and hear his precious cry. Brandon sat next to me softly crying tears of joy and stroking my arm. The kid crowded around to see their new baby brother.

I delivered the placenta and we remained in the backyard for about 30 minutes. It was golden hour and the sun shined softly on our crew. Lily was the first to come over and touch her new baby brother. She was so thrilled to see him and even asked if she could feed him a raspberry and some milk. Cole and Emma were in awe of their new sibling and were asking thoughtful questions about the vernix, placenta, cord and more. Brandon cut his cord and we got ready to journey up stairs.

We relaxed on the bed as a family and I fed baby boy for the first time. He latched effectively and enjoyed some colostrum. My birth team then heated up a home cooked meal (from the FASTer Way meal plan - yum) for Brandon and myself and we ate while Michelle did a thorough check of baby Tyler. He weighed in at 7 lbs 6 ounces and was 20 inches long. His big sister JJ was 7 lbs 3 ounces, and Cole was 7 lbs 9 ounces, so he was right in the middle. Perfect size.

By 9:30 pm my birth team thoroughly cleaned up and headed out. We were ready to relax and enjoy our first evening of rest together as a family — now perfectly complete with Tyler Howard Tress.

I am still basking in the afterglow of welcoming Baby Tyler into our family in such a peaceful and powerful way, and I believe this feeling will come rushing back every time I reflect on his birth.

I truly hope you enjoyed this peak into Tyler Howard Tress’s birth and I trust it left you feeling empowered and inspired.