Maxley Sophia's birth story
9/15/23
Born to Jordan & Keyara
Maxley’s Birth Story
It was around 3 a.m. when I woke up to my first strong contraction—one I couldn’t just brush off. They were coming about every 10 minutes and lasting a full minute. I stayed in bed for an hour, hoping they’d fade, but eventually decided to get up and move. I bounced on my birthing ball, trying to see if the contractions would settle. By 6 a.m., I managed to fall asleep on the couch, only to wake up two hours later to the sounds of my husband and two boys making breakfast in the kitchen.
After texting Dorothy, my midwife, to update her on my contractions, I kept her in the loop as the day progressed. I’d promised my boys a trip to the zoo, and there was no way they’d let me forget. Deep down, I knew today was the day we’d finally meet our baby girl, so the zoo seemed like the perfect distraction.
We packed up and headed to the zoo, a 45-minute drive to Grand Rapids. The contractions stayed strong but manageable, and I welcomed the walking, knowing it would help Maxley get into the best position. After three hours at the zoo, we decided to head home and start prepping.
The car ride home was filled with steady contractions. Once we arrived, I napped with my youngest son, savoring the moment. I hugged him tightly, knowing these were our last moments before he’d no longer be my youngest. When I woke up 45 minutes later, the contractions were even stronger, signaling it was time to start getting everything ready.
With Jordan’s help, we set up the birth space—hanging lights, arranging supplies, and preparing my tinctures. I also laid out strict instructions for Jordan in case of an emergency. As I bounced on my ball, I could feel Maxley shifting lower into my pelvis—a surreal and indescribable sensation.
The boys’ energy started pulling me out of my birthing zone, so I asked Jordan to call my parents to pick them up. By 5:30 or 6 p.m., the boys were gone, and the contractions were closer together—about six minutes apart. I stayed focused, walking and bouncing, while Jordan continued preparing the space.
Around this time, I texted my doula, Carrie, who encouraged me to take a shower despite wanting to conserve hot water for the birth pool. What I thought would be a quick rinse turned into a 40-minute retreat, where the hot water helped me manage the intensity of the contractions.
While I was in the shower, my mom dropped off groceries. Jordan checked on me a few times, asking if he should call Dorothy or fill the pool. Each time, I told him it wasn’t time yet. Thankfully, he didn’t listen and started filling the pool anyway, even boiling water on the stove to ensure it would be ready.
When I finally got out of the shower, I lay down for one contraction—it was the strongest yet. I stood up, knowing I needed Jordan’s support. He held me through a few contractions until I uttered the telltale phrase: “I have to poop.”
Jordan, knowing better, urged me to get into the pool, but I insisted on sitting on the toilet. One big contraction later, I admitted it wasn’t poop—it was our baby!
With Jordan’s help, I made it to the pool, stopping frequently as contractions now came one minute apart. The water was too hot, so Jordan frantically added ice cubes and cold water while supporting me. Unbeknownst to me, he hadn’t been able to reach Dorothy or the backup midwife, Patrice. He stayed calm, communicating with Carrie and keeping his nerves hidden.
As soon as I got into the pool, my water broke. Just Jordan and me—eight minutes and a few pushes later—our baby girl was here. I pushed Maxley out of my body, caught my breath, and let out tears of joy as Jordan held her until I could place her on my chest.
She cried immediately, her color was perfect, and her APGAR score was great. I used suction to clear her airways, and there she was: wide-eyed, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful.
We stayed in the pool for 45 minutes until our birth assistant arrived, followed by Carrie and Patrice. I hadn’t delivered the placenta yet, but with a quick turn onto my hands and knees, I was able to. Keeping the placenta attached, we headed to the bedroom.
In our bed, I breastfed Maxley while Jordan lay beside me. About an hour and a half later, he cut the cord. Patrice and Violet checked Maxley, who was healthy and thriving. Jordan even got to weigh her—a moment we’ll never forget.
Once everyone confirmed we were safe, Patrice left, and Violet stayed until Dorothy arrived at 3 a.m. Dorothy sutured a small tear right in the comfort of my bed—far from my favorite part but still a better experience than my previous births.
The entire experience was surreal. I felt incredible, wishing I could slow down time to fully soak it all in. This birth healed parts of me I didn’t know were broken and brought me closer to God. I feel so empowered—our bodies are perfectly designed, and this journey has solidified my purpose to help other women realize their strength.
To my birth team, who will forever be family: thank you. Birth is so much more than what the medical community often portrays—it’s spiritual, transformative, and deeply personal.
If I can do this, you can too.
With love,
Keyara
***Midwife's Note: I was at another birth and didn't have cell service, and unknown to me the WiFi I had connected to at that home was not working! Thankful for everything to go so smoothly at this speedy birth, and for a team who could come quickly and support this family until I was able to arrive.