December 2024

Paul & I found out we were pregnant on the way to the airport in Costa Rica. We bought a test on the way and stopped to one of our favorite coffee shop. We both discovered the news at the same time.

Here was our reaction ~

We took a flight to Italy and surprised my whole family with the news, & Paul enjoyed his first Italian Christmas.

The Birth Plan

We thought about giving birth in Italy. She was due in August and I love being home for summer with my friends and family.

We thought about California. Paul's family and friends are there.

And then we returned to Costa Rica in February, and started seriously considering giving birth here.

Costa Rica

There are quite a few young families out here and there’s a strong community of mothers where we live.

Our first thought was to do it at a birthing center in San Jose, the nation's capital. This way we could be close to hospitals, but still do it in a natural way. Plus, we knew a few people who did it this way.

I reached out to a few recommended professionals, and none of them really got back to me. I took it as a sign to move on and think differently.

So, we started seriously considering having a home birth in the little town in the south of Costa Rica that we’ve spent most of our time in over the last 3 years. 

I knew I wanted to give birth unmedicated & outside of the hospital. I wanted to have a spiritual experience that so many other mamas talk about. 

We’ve been calling “Bitcoin Jungle” home for the last few years. The downside of being here is that there’s no great hospital really close by. We knew it’d be the rainy season, so that factored into our decision making.

I was feeling a bit stressed about the situation and my options. Paul was pretty set on doing our first birth at a birthing center. 

But I trusted my intuition, and decided to reach out to a doula, Maite, who was recommended by a friend.

We scheduled a meeting where Paul & I expressed our feelings and fears to her. Both of us grew up thinking that births only happened in hospitals. She led us through a powerful meditation that day and left us with some homework - watching animal births on Youtube. 

Shortly after our first visit, it was time for us to make a decision. All we had were green lights to do a home birth here in Bitcoin Jungle. 

Having so many other mamas nearby that have already gone through it, made me more confident. Also, we have a great community here that would help us if needed.

We recruited the doctor that a few friends had here & we found the perfect house in the middle of the jungle but close enough to the ocean that I turned into my birthing sanctuary.

Day of the Birth

08/25 

7:00 pm Paul & I finished dinner with my parents. For some reason, I started labeling every single jar in the kitchen. My parents would be taking care of most of the cooking for the postpartum so I figured I’d make it easier for them. 

The organizing did not stop there. After saying goodbye to my parents, I went upstairs and I honestly don’t even remember what I was doing. Just cleaning around and organizing stuff. Meanwhile, Paul was sleeping. 

11:30 pm I woke up to use the bathroom and felt that something was happening. Paul recalls me nagging him and I honestly don’t know what I was up doing.

I don't remember this, but around 12:30am I showed Paul his phone with a contraction timer. I had gone through three mild contractions.

We didn’t really sleep at all that night. We were timing contractions which remained irregular. 

08/26 

11am We had a very slow morning. Paul prepared me a breakfast and we went for a walk around the property.

Every ten minutes or so a contraction would come. I would stop, welcome the contraction, and a minute or so later continue the walk. 

The photo below is our last selfie before Maya’s birth. 

1pm - To our surprise, my parents came over and made us some lunch. My contractions became very irregular at this time, but we enjoyed seeing them for the last time before I became a mom. 

Entering the Birth Portal

Maite mentioned that sunset time is when things tend to start picking up for many mothers. She was correct. Contractions became more painful and consistent. I vomited once, and this was Paul’s sign to call Maite.

After the sun set, it was clear that I was entering active labour. I focused deeply on my breath. I could feel myself entering a trance state. And now I understand why they say birth is psychedelic. 

It was a beautiful night, no rain just flashes of lighting over the ocean.

Our doctor arrived around 8pm. He checked the heartbeat of the baby and ensured us things were going smoothly. He was a very calming presence and I felt safe having him nearby, but not too close, monitoring my progress. 

I changed positions many times. I was on the ground on a foam mat, which I highly recommend getting. I also spent time on the bed and toilet before it was time to go in the pool. 

Around 10pm, it was time to get in the pool. It was a major relief at first. Shortly after entering, I started feeling the urge to push. Baby Maya was in the birth canal at this point.

I lost myself for a moment when I was screaming out of fear. My team reminded me that I needed to vocalize lower to help the baby come out using my voice as a tool. I took the advice, came back to my body, and started vocalizing lower.

The experience was intense & painful, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our angel Maya was born at 11:48 pm ♥️

Some resources I found useful during pregnancy

Books

• Ina May Gaskin - "Guide to Childbirth" & "Spiritual Midwifery"

• Penny Simkin - "The Birth Partner"

• Kimberly Ann Johnson - "The Fourth Trimester"

Documentaries

• The Business of Being Born. Watch here

• The Milky Way. Watch here

Things I'm Grateful for

I'm happy for the preparation. The massages, the acupuncture, the yoga classes, the walks, the nourishing foods, and my family. Grateful for loving parents now grandparents that are around to help.

I'm thankful for Paul being my rock.

I'm grateful for the community here and worldwide.

I'm grateful for my health and a healthy baby.

And finally, we're grateful for the Nostr community . We can't wait to give these sats to Maya.