Madelyn Rebecca Petersen

Born Monday, June 16, 2025, at 5:13 p.m.

9 pounds 8 ounces • 21.5 inches

 

Madelyn Rebecca Petersen arrived into the world surrounded by peace, strength, and God’s never-failing love and protection. She was born at home, in the water, weighing a solid 9 pounds 8 ounces and measuring 21.5 inches long—a strong, steady presence from her very first moment.

 

Madelyn’s middle name, Rebecca, was chosen in honor of my nana—a woman whose love, strength, and faith continue to shape our family. Carrying her name into this moment was a privilege. 

 

I was never originally a homebirth girl. Not even a little. And yet, in a way that still makes me smile, I was (jokingly) “tricked” into it by Maggie—who had already been a close friend long before she ever became my midwife. Before I was even pregnant, she told me she had a dream that I was expecting a baby girl and that I had her at home. A week later, I found out I was pregnant. Then I found out the baby was a girl. What once felt like a joke slowly revealed itself as God gently preparing my heart.

 

As the pregnancy progressed, the traditional OB-GYN route stopped feeling like the best option for me or my baby. I prayed for clarity and peace, fully expecting a slow, logical answer. Instead, I called Dorothy and immediately knew. No debate. No overthinking. Just a calm, stubborn certainty that this was where we were meant to be—God’s guidance delivered with zero ambiguity.

 

After what felt like the longest pregnancy known to mankind—41.5 weeks—I was beyond ready. On Sunday, June 15th, around 5 p.m., we were driving down to Hart to pick up Riley, our son, from my parents’ house when I started noticing what felt like either contractions or gas (a truly glamorous beginning). That sensation continued throughout the night. At 2 a.m. on Monday, I started losing some of my mucus plug and noticed the cramping was stronger. I woke Chris up and told him—very matter-of-factly—that he needed to text his boss because he wouldn’t be going in. We were probably having a baby.

 

I also texted my parents and asked them to come get Riley around 7 a.m., just in case.

 

I texted Dorothy on and off throughout the morning. Contractions were consistent but far apart—about 13–14 minutes. She suggested I rest, which I took very seriously. I’ve learned through my previous births that I sleep a lot leading up to labor. Around 10 a.m., contractions moved closer to about 7 minutes apart. Dorothy said if that continued, she’d come soon. I told her I planned to take another nap anyway and would keep her updated.

 

Around noon, contractions backed off to 10 minutes apart, which was rude. I was discouraged and briefly convinced I wasn’t actually in labor at all. So naturally, I took another nap. At 12:30, I woke up and immediately knew something was different. I couldn’t sit still, felt like I had to pee every two seconds, wanted to walk but also couldn’t. Nothing hurt more—it just felt off. I called Dorothy around 1:30 and told her contractions were still about 10 minutes apart, but everything felt like it was changing fast.

 

Dorothy arrived around 2 and marked my active labor beginning at 2:30. From there, everything became a blur. In a very short window, contractions went from 10 minutes apart to about 3 minutes apart. The only way I can describe it is that it felt like an exorcism was attempting to exit my body. I labored in the bathroom for a while, and Dorothy pressing on my back during contractions helped immensely. Chris set up the birth pool, and around 4:30, I got in.

 

Chris held my hand and gave me water through every contraction. Shortly after, my water broke. Dorothy and Maggie continued checking Madelyn’s heart rate—it was strong and steady. Eventually, I could tell it was time to push. The pressure was undeniable—I just knew. During one contraction, I noticed the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in the other room. Violet had made them, and somehow that tiny detail stuck. I’m convinced that’s why chocolate chip cookies will forever feel sacred to me.

 

I waited through a couple contractions to be sure I wasn’t pushing too early—I’m stubborn, but not reckless. Eventually, there was no denying it. I pushed for about 35 minutes. When Maggie told me she could see Madelyn’s head, it was the motivation I needed. I was exhausted and done, but that was enough to keep me going. Once her head was out, Chris, Dorothy, and Maggie encouraged me to slow down. I took a few breaths, did exactly what they said (a miracle in itself), and at 5:13 p.m., Madelyn was born.

 

Maggie caught her. I remember the overwhelming relief as I watched Madelyn do a little somersault in the water before Maggie scooped her up and placed her on my chest. I asked Dorothy if she was okay because she wasn’t crying yet. Dorothy calmly said she was perfect. Moments later, she cried, pinked up beautifully, and everything was right.

 

When it came time to deliver the placenta, I had zero interest in participating. Maggie told me to wait until I felt contractions, and while I didn’t want to put in the effort, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. I had a first-degree tear, and Dorothy recommended stitching it since I had an active toddler waiting to come home and no plans of slowing down.

 

Once everything was complete, I moved to the bedroom to rest and receive fluids. Around 9:30 p.m., the midwives left, and we spent our first quiet night together as a family of four—exhausted, grateful, and deeply aware that life had just shifted in the best way.

 

I will forever be grateful—to God for His faithfulness, protection, and presence throughout this journey; to myself for listening to and trusting my body; to Maggie Bowman, who has provided not only friendship but deep confidence in who I am as a mother; to Dorothy Vandezande, for bringing me closer to God and for her rare ability to bring peace to any situation; to Violet Near, our behind-the-scenes angel whose quiet acts of care—folded laundry, baked cookies, juice refills—meant more than words can capture; and to Chris, whose steady love and unwavering support carried me through every moment.

 

Madelyn came strong. She came sure. She came exactly when God intended.