Positive birth stories are powerful. They remind us that birth is natural, designed by God, and not something to be feared. They show how God wonderfully designed a woman’s body to carry and bring forth life. They normalize birth, and they proclaim God’s faithfulness.

Being pregnant is not a sickness that needs to be cured. Having a baby is what women’s bodies were designed to do. It’s one of the most miraculous and natural experiences a woman can have. And we believers know that our Creator is also our “very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1b). The God who designed women to bring forth life is the very one who walks into the labor room with them.

Positive birth stories remind us of what’s true.

Just as God was faithful to her, he will be faithful to you – no matter what happens.

Today, I get the privilege of sharing another positive birth story.

May it be an encouragement.

Emily’s Birth Story

Emily and her husband were expecting their fifth child any day now.

Emily thought the baby would be early, because there had been a lot of apparent “drama” leading up to the birth.

She had a different midwife this time around, and Emily didn’t get a chance to feel really comfortable with her. She never really felt ready for birth and didn’t take any prenatal beforehand. Her midwife was great, but because Emily didn’t feel really comfortable with her yet, she knew she would need an epidural.

At 36 weeks, the baby had been sideways and at 37 weeks, had been turned into the correct position. However, the cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck, and so this new position made things even tighter. The baby seemed to be in distress, and so Emily got a lot of checks near the end of pregnancy. She got a lot of ultrasounds, and an induction date was set just in case the baby turned again. That way they could turn the baby the right way and get them out right away. Emily underwent non-stress tests and ultrasounds.

A week before her due date, the tension around the neck eased up, and she didn’t need so many checks. Emily enjoyed two weeks of normalcy after that.

She had been some Braxton hicks. This was something new for her. She had never had them in her previous pregnancies.

At 7 days overdue, Emily got some Braxton hicks at regular intervals. However, when she went to bed, they went away.

At 8 days overdue, on Wednesday afternoon, Emily got them again, but they were not consistent.

She put the kids to bed by 8 PM, and they were starting to get more regular.

By 10 PM, they were 8 minutes apart and more intense. This is the real thing, she thought.

Over the next hour, they got a little closer together, and by 11 PM, she called her kids’ Nana to come watch the kids.

When Emily would move around, the contractions got closer together, but when she sat down, they got farther apart.

By 11:15, she and her husband left for the hospital.

They called their midwife on the way and when they got to the hospital, but they beat her there.

She and her husband sat and waited for 10 minutes in the parking lot, and as they were climbing out of the vehicle, her water broke in a big gush. This was also new for her. She was thankful it didn’t get on their vehicle seat!

When they got inside, they gave her a cervical check. She was 8 cm dilated.

Contractions were strong but still 7 minutes apart. They would speed up when she walked and slow when she laid down.

They did some bloodwork and gave her an IV.

At 2:30 AM, she got an epidural.

Contractions came every five minutes, and they never got closer. Even when she was pushing, they stayed this far apart.

The epidural took away her pain, but she still could feel pressure which made pushing easier.

At 4 AM, Emily started pushing.

At 4:20 AM, the baby was born.

A daughter.

Emily was able to keep the baby right away, because she was breathing great and didn’t need any suctioning.

Their daughter weighed 7 lb 14 oz. This was the same weight as their son right before her.

At 2 PM, Emily, her husband, and their new precious daughter left for home.

Their midwife came to their home to do checks after the baby was born.

FAQ About Positive Birth Stories

1. Where can I hear more positive birth stories?

This is a great podcast that features a lot of positive birth stories.

The Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast and Blog

I have also shared a lot of positive birth stories here on the blog! Check them out.

Positive Home Birth Story – Thankful Little Mama

Positive Hospital Birth Story – Thankful Little Mama

Positive Hospital Birth Story (A Christmas Baby) – Thankful Little Mama

Positive Hospital Birth Story – Thankful Little Mama

Positive Home Birth Story – Thankful Little Mama

My Positive Hospital Birth Story with Baby #1 – Thankful Little Mama

My Positive Hospital Birth Story with Baby #2 – Thankful Little Mama

2. How do I deal with fear about birth?

As believers, we can go to God with our fear. We can tell him what we’re anxious about and “pour out [out] heart[s] before him;” (Ps. 62:8).

We can also ask others to pray for us and meditate on Scripture. God holds us in His hand, and we don’t have to be afraid.

3. What are some good Scriptures to meditate on as I prepare for birth?

Here is a post about just that!

10 Verses For a Fearless Birth – Thankful Little Mama

4. What if birth doesn’t go as I want it to?

This is such a real question. Sometimes birth doesn’t go how someone wants.

But God is still faithful. He is still with you. Let’s take refuge in Him and trust that He knows what He’s doing. He loves you, and He loves your sweet baby. He is sovereign over it all.