BIRTH STORY did not go as planned // Hospital + NICU after ten homebirths

[@MarilynPhillips]

Our son spent 88 days in the NICU. I will always be grateful to the medical staff for saving his life.

[@juliabrown5948]

My oldest spent over 6 weeks and I know how you feel. Congrats!

[@Static_Guard]

Five MONTHS for our son. NICU nurses are angels on earth.

[@vickirhoades9655]

Yes, NICU nurses are angels!! We spent three months in the NICU. Very very scary when those alarms go off and your babies turning blue.

[@nicolamclennan6793]

​@@juliabrown5948 I I think everyones entitled to their opinions but i feel you over step the boundaries when you self promote yourself to one who knows it all. To tell parents that its time to stop having babies as they cannot give each child the attention and individual personalised needs and wants that they naturally, innocently demand. Secondly if parents chose to continue to grow their loving family and theres been no previous repeated medical problems caused by the amount of labour and births, why should they stop again "in your opinion" ?. I have just our three wonderful daughters who have given us four grandsons who are such a blessing and to see other families who are much much larger i think its their decision alone. Who are we to act with authority and have the absolute nerve to assume that parents of 10 children are going to struggle with age and some children ending up caring for other siblings is too much. We do not have any reason or right to say to any another parent what to do I think its rude to say this is what will happen its just unfair to say they are essentially failing their children and they deserve an apology. This was a very fresh traumatic event they have just been through and by telling their story will help towards healing and perhaps help someone who sees this ? Who knows but I'm sure you also wish them a huge congratulations on the birth of their beautiful baby and send them much love and healing. All my love rushing over from here in the uk xxx.a

[@marychristensen4254]

They saved your babies life under the circumstances❤

[@erfrada]

I mean this in the most respectful and caring way.. As an L&D nurse, i am so happy that you shared this. Many of us in L&D spend 90% of our shift advocating. There is a LOT of work that still needs to be done in women's health, physiologic birth, family support, autonomy, informed consent etc. Traumatic stories like this, your perspectives, are SO important! I am sending you all so much love ❤️ congratulations on your sweet boy. I am so happy you both are ok.

[@GhostPepperMeg]

@@Maddison_77732what an incredibly nice and well thought out comment. Btw, as I sit in the hospital on day 3, since I relapsed and am getting treatment. It just makes me feel good that the nurses are sooo caring and loving. In my hospital experiences, nurses truly care about their patient’s and their outcomes’. I can tell right away I. .

[@joyluff7915]

Unfortunately, this is not the case for every ldr unit staff. Let me first give some grace. My daughter gave birth during the pandemic, so the hospital was short staffed, yet had an overflow of women in labor. So, I could understand some of the delays about getting a room and nurses to man the labor during my first grandbaby's birth. The hospital my daughter was at had instituted a triage department to make sure the moms were actually in labor. Only the mom was allowed there, and they would call the coach (me as her hubby is military and was out of state) when the mom was transferred up to the ldr. So, my daughter, who was a bit scared, needed support, was left in a bed, with no one, a nurse coming in every so often to check on her, and kind of naysaying that she was in labor. They said she was dehydrated, gave her IV fluids, subsequently her water broke, there was mycomium in it, when checked she was 5cm dilated, she came in at 2 cm. They still weren't convinced she was in labor. Meanwhile, I still hadn't heard anything. Daughter had stopped txting as well. After several texts from my SIL, and a passage of over 4 hours, I called them. Their response was oh yeah, she is up in the room, you can go up. To say the least, my SIL and I were ticked. By the time I got to the room, she was distressed, not able to really focus through the pain and the nurses, in her opinion were pushing her to have an epidural, which she absolutely didn't want. They wouldn't let her get up and move around, another thing she didn't want, so by the time I got there she was a mess. She finally capitulated about the epidural even with my support in trying to help her with breathing techniques that I remembered from when I did then. A very traumatic experience for her and why she did the birthing center/midwife with her second. Much better experience. I will say with my two I had very good experiences.

[@tarasypien5858]

NICU nurse here 🙌 so glad that you had good nurses. As a healthcare worker I feel that the risks and fears are always presented because we have seen someone suffer from these risks and even die. If you've worked in the field for long enough you've seen it all. In order to let the parents make the best decision for their baby, they have to be aware of the potential risks.

[@Kkay2490]

Thanks for your service. Our health care workers do not get the credit they deserve. I understand some people depend on nature and God, but neither were literally saving this baby and moms life. The lords hand didn't do anything, rather these ppl insist they felt it or not.

[@carolynadkins1887]

@@Kkay2490exactly

[@Beepinsqueekin]

My last pregnancy ended with me going into heart failure at 36 weeks, which necessitated an emergency c-section. I was sent to the ICU, and my son was lifeflighted to Kansas City to be put on a jet ventilator. Thank God the hospital saved our lives!

[@AnaMT1985]

I am sorry for all you had to go through. I mean this with all love and happiness for you. Please be happy you have a live, healthy baby. Speaking as a mama who lost her baby due to a home birth and not being close enough to the hospital. It’s really hard to make a determination like “it was going too fast, if they had allowed things to go slower it may have been fine” they care about the life of you and your babe. Even if it was a traumatic experience compared to your other experiences.

[@janvan4424]

I'm so sorry for your loss 😭❤

[@DeniseNorthern1225]

Amen!!!

[@joelmelissam]

I'm so sorry. That's gut wrenching to hear.

[@glendagai]

@@AnaMT1985 so sorry for your loss

[@AnaMT1985]

@@Maddison_77732 I am so sorry for your loss and your hardships friend ♥️ I think until someone experiences major tragedy, like the loss of a child or touch and go situation like you have with your other babies it’s hard to understand perspective. I tell anybody who will listen that I would have much rather had a C-section and a live baby then insist that home birth is best no matter what and c-section is the scariest and worst thing that could happen. For perspective my whole world (at the time) was surrounded by women who had no problems having home births and were so anti-hospital, that, the hospital option was just terrifying to me. I also had a horrible lay midwife, who didn’t believe any interventions were ever necessary. So it was the perfect storm for what ended up happening. I understand too that this experience was no doubt hard and painful for these folks. But it is good to have perspective.

[@chantillyrose]

Unfortunately the memory of a traumatic birth never leaves you, I had nightmares for years afterwards and still today more than 40 years on it's distressing to think about. My heart goes out to you and your such an inspiration.

[@tharvy40]

The memories don't go away and you wonder if you said and did the right things at the time. My kids are 25 and 24 now. God blessed us all way and still is to this day.

[@pamelasanders5657]

NICU nurses are amazing! My son was in NICU for 21 days. You all did amazing!! The moment that got me is when you explained how they briefly brought your son in before transport. That brought back tough memories for me. 19 yrs ago I experienced the same thing and i begged to be discharged but I had signs of an infection from surgery so i couldn’t leave the hospital until taking care of that infection. 2 days until i saw my son again. It seemed like forever. So please process that trauma and ask God to give you peace because it’s hard to forget. But i have a healthy 19 yo son and you have a healthy baby so God watched over us. Your children taking care of each other is amazing.

[@pennee365]

I cried and laughed with you. I hemorrhaged after our first was born and afterward my doctor told us it had been serious. This happened 40 years ago in a small hospital when the family doctor delivered the babies. I remember hearing the sharp urgency in his voice calling out orders to the two nurses and was close to passing out about the time I was finally getting IV fluids and shortly after that I knew he had things under control. I know it was by the Grace of God that I survived. I praise the Lord for your precious Lewis. God bless and keep you all.

[@rebeccaaaaaaaac]

We are trained to get baby out as quick as possible in any emergent life or death situation, it can be rough but its so we don’t end up delivering a baby too slowly and they suffer significant impairment or even death, in that moment we cannot predict how much your baby can cope with so its all about making sure baby is out and alive and mama is safe too. It can be rough but it’s how things go in an emergent situation, they need to play things safe as it were.

[@janinemaxwell4297]

Exactly it’s about getting a baby out alive. This couple are ungrateful by the sounds of it. Just because she had 10 home births without any issues she was just very lucky. And how crazy the dr wanted to administer fentanyl but they said no then complain they were hurting him during the ultrasound.

[@LargeFamilyHomestead]

While everything you went through was terrible and stressful, I am so glad that y'all were able to advocate for him against the medical establishment. Things could have been so much worse - what a blessing y'all are as wise as you are. ♥ As a momma to 10 myself, I understand the value of homebirth and hope that others see the benefits. Yet, you've given an amazing testimony for those that have to go to the hospital - teaching people that you don't have to do everything the "experts" tell you. 👍

[@kellyspencer6433]

My twins were born 4 weeks early and in the nicu then pediatric floor before going home…10 days total. It’s such an emotional roller coaster. One twin didn’t pass the car seat test and we had to rent a car bed for her. Both came home on apnea monitors. Now they’re 20 and about to start their 3rd year in college. God is SO good! Praise God for baby Lewis!!

[@anitazimmerman-xq3ix]

This dad is angry still. He does not understand how fast and bad a little guy can go!!!! Old nurse

[@ericaharris6897]

I'm a nurse 20 years and a Respiratory Therapist for 26+ years. I know it's hard what you went through. Please just know that our job is to protect you and the baby. The baby being born so early and in distress is an urgency that is detrimental to his survival.

[@jasonandjulie]

Thank you for your service! As we said in the video, we had some amazing doctors and nurses who went beyond “just a job” and really served with their hearts. We were thankful for them!

[@mruggier0]

What bothers me is that when things go wrong many place blame on the personnel. If the baby had a birth injury or life long health issue bc the hospital didn’t “follow protocol” I bet they think much different. Lawsuits abound placing blame on nurses doctors etc. if you don’t want assistance then stay home and take the risk and hope for best. Glad it worked out for this family but many times it doesn’t.

[@kishakisha17]

Exactly

[@kerrieweems7709]

@@mruggier0 but protocol is not always what is best for every child. Best for the hospital, like you said, to stay out of potential lawsuits.

[@0570dev]

@@mruggier0 Exactly!!!!!!!

[@emilybarrick6298]

We were in the same NICU December to January. It was so familiar listening to your story, and I agree, the nurses were called to those jobs. The hospital did take hospitality very seriously! In a tough time, the kindness and compassion were so calming and peaceful! At the same time, it was heart wrenching to see the many holidays on some doors and the serious situations some babies were in. Very humbling and made me feel so very grateful for God’s provisions for our child. Also, loved the mini chapel in the basement and enjoyed praying for other requests there as we dealt with our own trial, it was a comfort to also think of others.

[@ItsJess2220]

Oh Julie, I wanted to give you a huge hug when you started tearing up!! Thank God you are back home now. I had a five day hospital stay after my second for jaundice and it was brutal being away from my husband and other son much of that time. So thankful that you have family and friends close by to lean on. Thank you both for sharing.

[@julieannmatthews3639]

49 years ago I had a baby at 27 weeks gestation. She weighed 2lb 2 1/4ozs. It was an anxious and nerve wracking time. She was in Hospital for 12 weeks and came home a week before Christmas. Which was a week before her due date. She suffered some additional physical and mental delay problems but all in all she was the most happy and humorous of all my children. She has an affinity with animals, especially horses and cats. She is a known ceramicist who has won many prizes for it, both in the disabled and open sections. I've known your fear , I know your anxiety but I knew that God had not given me a task that I could not fulfill. Best wishes to you and all your children. I am looking forward to next year when she turns 50. God bless.

[@creamdrop]

Praising God for a healthy mama and baby! Also praying for healing so that you guys can look back on this experience and remember the hospital staff that cared for you, gave you options when they could and ultimately saved this baby's life. Asking God to give you grace upon grace - so much that it overflows to those that negatively impacted this experience for you guys. 🙏

[@susieathome9621]

Dear Julie & Jason, I hope you are recovering from you traumatic experience. May God bless Lewis and hold him in the palm of his hand all the days of his life. Prayers to all of you, for healing and blessings.

[@chelseafailla9887]

"this needs to be a collaboration". Amen!!! So well said

[@danielleburkhart1409]

I am a mama to four (6, 3, 2, 3 months), and my husband and I are becoming more self-reliant and naturally minded. I found your channel two years ago when we were considering having a fourth, and I just want to share how encouraging it has been. Julie, you are a light and such an encouragement to young moms. Your joy, peace, and relatability help me to know that I can get through these hard days with littles. I pray to have the widsom and patience that you do. I am so sorry this birth did not go as planned, and will continue to pray for your family as you process this birth. I don't know if you need to hear this or not, but you can be joyful that you and baby boy are well, but also grieve the birth experience you desired. The experience you had sounds so challenging. We had a hospital birth with our first which led us to seek homebirths with the others. It is a completely different experience (especially if you weren't planning on it). My heart hurts for you and Jason that you had to experience that time in the NICU. You and Jason (and your kiddos) are in my thoughts and prayers ♡

[@YT4Me57]

I am the result of a C-Section that saved the lives of both my mom and myself. Mom had a completely uneventful pregnancy, but her labor turned south when I began exhibiting distress. Turned out, a random lump of cartilage was blocking progress. I always advocate for and encourage women who choose to deliver in hospital. Home births can be tremendously joyful but so can a hospital birth. The joy is in the delivery of a healthy baby to a healthy mama. Congratulations on the birth of your precious baby. ❤

[@carlygriffith6441]

I am so sorry for the trauma you guys suffered, but am glad you have been able to see God’s grace and light through it all. I am disgusted by all the negative, aggressive comments here, but, sadly, given our nation’s worship of the medical field, I’m not surprised. I thank you for sharing your story, and sticking to your beliefs concerning faith vs. fear. Your guts and principles inspire others, like me, who are very wary of over-correcting, if you will, when it comes to medical intervention.

[@dancingfilly7355]

I agree with you!!! Home birth is proven to be the best and safest experience for baby and mom, bar none! The medical profession is trained in intervention and fear and scare tactics, NOT in natural birthing. This couple showed great courage and determination to expose their baby to the least amount of risk and danger from medical intervention. The worship of the medical community has blinded most people to the facts of the dangers of performing these medical interventions on women and children during the birthing process. Much love for this couple!!❤

[@carlygriffith6441]

@@dancingfilly7355 precisely! I support medical intervention when it is needed, but completely understand and support this couple in not wanting to give “carte blanche”, so to speak.

[@Ali-xq3ij]

Julie, what an incredibly difficult experience you had, but praise to the Lord that He helped you and Lewis. May God continue to strengthen you and the baby at this time. ❤

[@clairebenz9085]

I’m glad that there are hospitals with caring and knowledgeable staff to help when your home birth situation isn’t ideal. Gratitude for what you were given.

[@twinnish]

I had some heroes and some villains during my first childbirth and after 36 years have gone by, all I have left from the entire situation is to say thank God my son is fine today and all of that in the past. It’s scary and it’s a cautionary tale for other medical situations but I definitely learned that there was a place where you trust professionals and there’s a place where you have to advocate for yourself. Your tears just sent me back to all the feelings I’ve seen my baby in the Nicu . It’s gonna be hard for many years when you think of that time. It’s going to be joyful because he’s here and he’s fine. it is such a confusing time and you have so many feelings and they don’t all necessarily fit in a nice neat box. You can love things about it and hate things about it and be happy and those feelings can all be true at the same time ❤ Congratulations on your beautiful new baby boy . He was the point of it all and he’s here and he’s safe and he’s beautiful. 😊

[@wandanewton7885]

I was teary-eyed hearing your birth story but SOBBED when you told about Elsie and Bella taking care of the youngest and the farm. The pictures they sent were priceless. I know y’all know it already but you guys are BLESSED. Congrats to all your family on the new little one.

[@SarahSpinks-g3q]

My sons cord was around his neck and I didn't have pitocin. I really think it was a blessing that you were in a medical setting.

[@hollimanzo9534]

Cords are very frequently wrapped around necks! Birth practioners of all types are trained to unwrap the cord right after the baby crowns (in a non-breech) birth; despite what is frequently portrayed in media, cords wrapped around necks are not an immediate emergency, especially since babies aren't recieving oxygen through their lungs, nose, and mouth until after they are fully born. In their case, an already short cord was wrapped around his neck, further making it difficult for him to easily descend into the birth canal. Cords around necks are not due to pitocin or anything other than the baby wriggling in the womb. A much more urgent cord-related issue is prolapse, where the cord comes out before the baby and cuts off the oxygen-rich blood coming through the umbilical cord. That is where you have a concern of a lack of oxygen, because the baby's body puts pressure on the cord as it comes through.

[@SarahSpinks-g3q]

@hollimanzo9534 I know a lot about this subject. I was a L&D nurse for 14 year's. I was only stating that pitocin has nothing to do with the cord being around his neck, just like you stated again. Even though I'm educated and worked in that field, I don't come on here to try to educate people. 🤣 My little comment sent you into an attempted educational task. Which, some of what you stated is incorrect. I'm sure you're also a nurse, but some of what you said is incorrect.

[@shsharrell9267]

I am just bumping into your channel for the 1st time. Please don't think the hospital or anyone at the hospital treated you differently or badly because of any of your beliefs or wanting a home birth. Hospital's treat everyone equally bad, sometimes very badly. Although, you need a doctor/hospital and they do perform amazing lifesaving services and they are such a blessing. Hospitals can save your life, but make you extremely miserable in the process. Don't feel alone with your mixed feelings feelings, it's pretty much the same in all the hospitals nowadays. I don't know why they see the need to make you incredibly miserable, but the do. I'm glad all is good now! Try to forget about all that experience so bad yet so good! I see you got a baby out of the deal!! Good luck. God bless your family.❤❤❤❤

[@Mrsran87]

Ohhhh my heart..thank you guys so much for sharing precious baby boy with us. Even though I've never met y'all in person, just watching your family vlogs brings such a peace & joy & calmness to my heart. Sending much love & prayers all around!~Lisa from Virginia🥰❤

[@kathyherbert9805]

God was watching over you and he gives us trials and makes it makes sense easy in Waze but he knew you could cope with it and it’s just his wife. Just allowing you to realise how lucky we are in life. Julie I’m so pleased you’re home and everything is going okay and congratulations to you all. I hope that you have many years of joy with him. He looks so beautiful so tiny. God bless you both, kathy from Australia

[@teresadavis128]

Forgive the nurse, forgive the protocol- you have this amazing little human. There are situations hospitals fulfill and home births are amazing.

[@mrs.garcia6978]

The sounds of the NICU machines take years to leave your psyche. I had dreams when she was 5 😂❤ but she was my first, every time I had another baby it would come back a bit. God is faithful and our comforter; talking about this with hubby over and over helped us so much too. We saw God everywhere and witnessed more than we ever had in our lives in the NICU. God was surrounding and leading us.

[@kindnessmatters4068]

❤💯%🥹

[@juliabrown5948]

I agree, I saw God's hand constantly during our weeks in the NICU!! He is so close to us

[@kricketcooper5024]

I remember freaking out in a McDonald’s because the alarm on the fries was going off. Yes those alarms stay with you.

[@kristinapassey3557]

Wow!! I’m in tears. I felt every single emotion you’ve spoken. Sending hugs and love. 💜

[@jmull8638]

I pray you will continue to heal and give thanks for the faithfulness God continues to demonstrate, even in these difficult circumstances. Great is His faithfulness! Our youngest was born at 34 weeks. The week he was in NICU was the hardest week l had endured up until that time. Praise the Lord he's a healthy teen now!

[@sandramaughan9854]

Wow, so glad I had been praying for you all! Thankful that Jason was praying over Lewis. What a scary, emotional experience you all experienced especially since it wasn’t the normal child birth that you normally have had. What an experience that I hope you never have to go through again. Continued prayers for you and your family! What a story for Lewis to have about his birth. ♥️🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻♥️

[@valeriebequette5334]

Such a precious little guy! You know I love you guys and my thoughts and prayers are with you. You are such an inspiration and my faith always grows when I watch your videos. God is good and faithful!

[@faiths8385]

Oh my I cried with you ❤ hugs to you all. I'm so glad your safe and on the other side . He's so precious, continued prayers 🙏

[@Suebearish]

What a wonderful thing to have a Dr. who supported you.Years ago I worked for an OB who had not bought into the delivery within 24 hours of water breaking business. Women did really well. Some of it is about insurance companies not wanting to pay for more than 24 hours inpatient

[@BamaBethany18]

So thankful baby Lewis is doing well and Julie is also. I love your sweet family. Praise God.

[@marciaherrmannferrari5653]

Fui enfermeira de útil neonatal 33 anos atrás. É uma enorme felicidade quando os nossos bebês voltam para suas famílias, para casa! E é delicioso se os pais os levam para visitar-nos, quando eles completam 6 meses, um ano! Felicidades para Lewis e sua adorável família!

[@pmartin6759]

So thankful this is all behind you now❤

[@bullelephant1]

It is very hard to have the expectation of a natural birth and then be confronted with an emergency situation, and to keep hoping the emergency will go away and let the normal return. It's hard to imagine how many life and death situations the doctors and nurses are dealing with. The reason for most protocols is past mistakes. Life is truly a gift from God not just a natural occurrence. We rejoice with you that you and the baby are safely delivered.

[@naomivantonder1161]

I cannot think that people, in today's times, would put their babies life in danger by doing home births. 35 weeks is also not that early.

[@dancingfilly7355]

@@naomivantonder1161Actually the opposite is true! Home birth has been proven in studies to be safer for the mother and the baby than hospital births. Do your own research. The facts do not lie. The US is the only country in the world where birthing a baby is done primarily in a hospital. It definitely is due more to money, power and control than safety and health. This couple has done a beautiful job protecting their newborn baby from harmful drugs and procedures that are completely unnecessary and very dangerous for babies. Research it!!!

[@faithlaw8516]

Crying here in West Virginia!!! I’m so happy for you all!! Praise Jesus!! It’s truly ok to cry… all those hormones and emotions!! Thank You God for taking care of this precious family!!! ✝️❤️🙏🏼

[@amandaw30]

Congratulations on your sweet little guy! I'm 35 weeks today with my 6th baby. I have also only had homebirths up to this point. My heart broke along side you as you told your experience. I can't imagine the terror. Many hugs! I hope that any babies in your future come in the most peaceful way possible.

[@MDBlaylock-bg5qm]

Oh Julie and Jason, your birth story reminds me so much of both of mine. Both my boys were 35-week-ers. I wanted homebirths so badly, but it just wasn't meant to be for either one. I'm sorry it was so traumatic, but I'm so glad you could feel God's presence so tangibly during all that stress and anxiety. It's the worst feeling in the world to see your sweet baby hooked up to all those monitors and tubes and feel so cotton-pickin' helpless. But I'm so glad you were able to do it all together and covered in so much prayer. ❤️

[@mrs.garcia6978]

Praise God for that peaceful lead NICU Dr. we had a couple of NICU nurses and L&D nurses that helped TREMENDOUSLY.

[@mamaof7kiddos]

Thank you for sharing your story. So glad everything turned out well after a traumatic experience. You prayed for my Benjamin almost 3 years ago when he was in the NICU for 3 weeks. He is doing well and will be celebrating his birthday at the end of the month. Praying blessings for you and your sweet family.

[@amandamendoza4181]

My husband is a respiratory therapist in the NICU. His previous job was a police officer and crime scene investigator. We felt by God a calling for him to go into healthcare. He absolutely loves his job! Thank you for sharing this difficult experience! ❤❤❤

[@juliabrown5948]

My daughters' time in the NICU was made so much better by some amazing respiratory therapists. Please thank your husband for what he does!!

[@nancyratterree1497]

What a birth story, and such a good Heavenly Father we have! Thank you for sharing

[@kimvoorhis4481]

Thank you for sharing your amazing story. Praise God it ended victoriously & your precious baby is home where he belongs. Continued prayers for all. God bless. ❤️

[@GodISSovereign17]

You guys are the TRUE definition of a power couple, The Power of God is definitely with y’all! I know God used y’all to touch lives, and show medical professionals He’s in control!! So glad you both made it out, and that you and Jason kept firm in what was best for y’all. I understand how important it is to go as natural as possible, and how challenging it can be to have your voice heard on the matter. I really think God was using y’all in big ways on this, and we know His ways are higher. It’s a Faith growing season, and you’re going to reap great fruit from this whole experience, as traumatic as it was. Thank you for sharing, it broke and blessed my mama heart all at once! It was definitely a powerful birth story, and God IS SO GOOD!!! Many blessings

[@bostonlatina]

My membrane ruptured at 26 weeks and I had my baby at 30 weeks. She spent the next 8 weeks in the NICU. I was so blessed to live in an area that has the best children’s hospitals. I still talk about my experience and rhe staff to my Daughter that just turned 30.

[@heidihomsher6743]

What a beautiful story of God’s goodness and faithfulness🙏🏻❤️Forty six years ago I had my three day old first child taken from our local hospital to a medical center to have surgery for a bowel obstruction and I could not bring her home for two weeks. My heart understands what you were going through. Coming home is a celebration!

[@nancygermann3840]

You have been in my prayers since I first learned of your bleeding months ago. God is awesome!! Thank you for letting me be a part of your awesome family.

[@Nana2KCASBO]

I believe in my heart that there’s no doubt God was with all of you. Thankful you all came home and I’m praying for those still there.

[@mapleviewfarm1]

Grateful it all ended well and that you are home with Lewis and the rest of the family. I can't imagine all you went through. Hope you are getting some much needed rest!

[@homeschool2homestead305]

OH MY GOSH , you are not splitting hairs. Your feelings and experience are VALID. I have had a hospital birth, birth center birth, and 3 home births. I have VERY similar experience with my hospital birth, which is why I would not step back into that position if at all possible. It is literally a snowball effect with their "interventions". Only those educated in natural birth would understand. PLEASE don't let these ignorant comments get to you. You story is valid and you felt led to tell it for a VERY necessary reason. I don't know that reason and maybe you don't either. But, someone needed this. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being real, honest, and vulnerable.

[@homeschool2homestead305]

Also, the ONLY times I hemorrhaged was the times someone PULLED on the cord/placenta.

[@homeschool2homestead305]

I really HOPE and PRAY Jason is reading these comments and filtering through them for you. As a mama with my 5th baby still a baby... I just can feel my PP 4th trimester time and how difficult some of this would be to read. Honestly, it would devastate me during my 4th tri... I know not everyone would feel these comments so deeply and maybe you feel confident to process through these without affects. But, I am projecting I think. This would really affect me, actually it upsets me for you reading some of these comments. I just want to say you are beautiful. You are enough. You are valued. You are worthy.

[@jasonandjulie]

Thank you for your sweet comments. They are really encouraging to me!!

[@homeschool2homestead305]

@@jasonandjulie You are welcome. Just speaking truth. I have followed you guys for a long time. I don't usually comment much, but felt God at my fingertips last night. Lean into him. You encourage ME so much seeing your family and how y'all do life. You have helped me so much. I am a perfectionist and having 5 children (and hoping for more), 200 animals, a large homestead, etc.. it is just not possible. I see so much on SM that looks perfect and is just so unattainable. I follow y'all and watch every video because you are REAL and HONEST. God is using you in incredible ways. I just hope and pray God is guiding you to the truth here and allowing your eyes to see through some of this evil. It is not for the faint of heart, and it is OKAY to shut off comments or not read them if necessary. Give yourself that permission. You are amazing mama. Go get your hands/feet in the dirt and smell/see/touch some nature. Then snuggle that baby and know you are EXACTLY where you are supposed to be. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[@jasonandjulie]

💖

[@mountaingirl8124]

We adopted our seventh child from the NICU. He was born at 26 weeks and we still keep in touch with his head Nurse that loved him so much! God’s hand was on him the whole time.

[@jasonandjulie]

What an amazing story!

[@nataliemadrigal899]

Yay...Happy Dayz!

[@ArmorsArrows]

Julie, please know it’s OK to cry even on your videos. I would have been an emotional mess. So glad to hear that you stayed with him the entire time. I hear so many stories of parents not, and then the child gets such and such medical treatment Because it’s the normal protocol. I question the normal protocol as well, and would have made many of the same decisions you did.

[@madeleinetunstall5690]

I had both my boys at 35 weeks. Grateful that they both grew up to healthy men ( 24 & 26 year olds ) great you had a healthy baby at the end. What a scary time for you both. I remember when they told me with my eldest that he was going to born early, was so scared. God bless you all

[@vivianspringer5142]

We can't forget their unmarred 10 homebirths prior to this one needing help. They've had these babies with trained Midwives. That's more experience than most of us ever have. Im glad they are all here to talk about their experience with # 11.

[@Murphyslaw918]

I sense an edge of distrust with our medical system , thank god you are both alive and doing well ! you had great doctors and nurses .

[@FarmhousebytheMouse]

Praise God that you and Lewis are ok in the end. He is so beautiful and precious. ❤️ My granddaughter spent 8 months in the NICU from birth until she passed away. My son and daughter-in-law spent every single day with her. She had a heart transplant at 3 months old but a blood clot broke off and went to her brain causing irreversible brain damage. The hospital team got to be like family to them because it was during Covid so no other family members were allowed at the hospital. I was able to see her to say goodbye though. The nurses and doctors are truly gifts from God.

[@jasonandjulie]

Oh my. What a heartbreaking thing to walk through. 💔 I can’t even imagine

[@jessicabulloch5302]

So sorry ❤.

[@janvan4424]

I'm so sorry for your loss❤😭

[@leonievanbrummen985]

Sending you all the love and power to recover and find a place for the things that happened. You are an amazing family and may you be able to benefit the world with your amazing attitude towards life. Much love to you all!

[@AlishaH-fo8qv]

Sometimes, hospitals can become so rigidly focused on following protocols that they forget the importance of listening to the patient's unique needs and concerns. As a registered nurse, I understand that protocols are in place to ensure the best possible outcomes, but they should not come at the expense of patient autonomy. It's crucial for healthcare workers to balance protocol-driven care with empathy and understanding of patients' perspectives and preferences. This is essential for providing personalized care and fostering trust between healthcare providers and patients. I'm so sorry to hear that you had a challenging experience in the hospital, feeling unsupported in your desire for a natural childbirth and minimal interventions. It's unacceptable when healthcare workers don't respect a patient's choices and autonomy. However, I'm relieved to hear that your baby is safe and at home with you. Remember that your voice matters, and it's essential to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings. Keep speaking up and seeking care that aligns with your values and preferences. ❤️❤️❤️

[@melissaw6446]

My baby was born prematurely. I thank God I was in a hospital. If I had not been, she would not be alive today.

[@kindnessmatters4068]

Yes, absolutely 💯% I felt like the NICU and the critical care OB unit was my lifeline, and I felt SO so grateful for all of them, even the nurses that weren't our favorite (only had one!) ... if not for them, my 31-week baby and I wouldn't be here!! I look back at our 2mo NICU stay with fond memories ❤ it was hard but special all at the same time.

[@juliabrown5948]

​@@kindnessmatters4068I agree completely! We were also there for two months and feel the same!

[@nelliebly6616]

What is your goal,with writing that,on this channel?

[@s.c.2424]

​@@nelliebly6616I'd assume to share her own experience as well. Nothing about her comment came across as passive or rude, but grateful that, in her situation, a hospital was available. And agreed. Given birth unmedicated and prefer home births, but baby 5 is a serious situation for me. I'm so thankful she'll be in good hands, but I'll definitely mourn not getting the birth I hoped for. Hopsitals are so uncomfortable for me, but what a blessing what they can do for babies in need of serious care.

[@kathysprich3975]

My nephew is one of those little ones that has been there since February. Born in February due June 27th weighing 1lb 4 oz. He is still there but by the grace of God he,is thriving.

[@jasonandjulie]

I prayed for him today!!

[@carolluther1625]

I always had pre-term labor with my boys. What I was told 38 years ago, that the labor helps with maturation of the lungs. My last child was 35 weeks and 4 days at birth. He had other health issues, which is why he came early. But thankful! My son had kidney failure at birth, undiagnosed til 10 days post birth. He was at Children's hospital first round 3 months, with many other rounds. This led me to working medically to help others as I had been helped. I am so sorry you had a horrible hospital experience, but thankful Lewis is doing well! To God be the glory!

[@cathykillion6544]

Thank you for sharing. Praying for your family to heal. The kids are going to love the pool.

[@my5ks48]

Bless you Momma ! Birth trauma is a tough pill to swallow But God is a healer and time will make it better 😊 hugs

[@sharonlatour6230]

OH MY!!! Julie and Jason, what a traumatic birth experience for you all! I've watched several of your video's. God is awesome, and so good!

[@Nussear25]

76 days in the NICU with our daughter (she turns 15 this fall) she weighed 1 lb 12 ozs. We also had another daughter that lived 2 weeks week weighed 14 ozs . I would never wish that experience on anyone. I’m so glad you had a good outcome.

[@lauraC1082]

I started watching this morning, it's know evening my heart was heavy. As parents we must always follow our hearts and I fully respect the parents who must make tough decision's. I'm so glad baby Lewis is doing well, may God always keep you safe Lewis.

[@novasoto5092]

Prayers to help for sure. It goes to show that you can't take Life for Granted. So happy and thankful that you , Jason and your precious baby Lewis are home with All of your Beautiful Family! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@allisonbooth9327]

I’m so sorry this was so traumatic. I’m so happy you are all home❤️

[@jackimanley3056]

I hemorrhaged during a miscarriage and had the opposite experience, where they hospital didn't do enough! I ended up needing two pints of blood and after an investigation by the health department, the hospital waived all charges because of the poor treatment. It was horrible, but Im thankful God brought me through.

[@twinnish]

The antibiotics were probably precautionary against Group B strep and as that is the thing that my son was in the hospital for 2 weeks I am a really big advocate for precautions when there is a risk that that has been introduced to the baby. It isn’t always a risk because they generally test a few weeks before the babies due, but like you, my water have been broken for over 48 hours before my son was born and he did get that and it was one of the heroes that recognized he had it. It’s not something I had ever heard about before he was born, but afterwards I found out that two people I knew had children who also suffered with that and one of their children had died, and the other one had gone through the kind of experience that my son did where they asked me 2x if I had priest that I wanted to come and give last rites. 35 years ago, it was more common than any of us knew and now it is very uncommon because they test for it before hand on a regular basis.

[@AzelieAnne]

Pictocin is intense. The contractions were so intense and not like natural contractions at all. I asked the nurse to stop after I was 8cm dilated so I could do the rest myself because I knew i was close and the nurse said "no silly, we're having a baby today and this is making the contractions!" And pushed the button for another dose.

[@kv8dy]

I had 11 in the hospital and have never had this experience. So don’t base them all off of this❤

[@Cutiepie_8062]

I have had many miscarriages, a stillbirth, and finally, one live birth that ended in a C-section. I understand trauma within hospitals but remember having home births although can be great. You have had 11 kids. You are very lucky this didn't happen sooner. Yes God does amazing things but other people aren't as lucky. You said you felt like the Dr rushed things but I think the same could be said about trying to get home with him. Please say a prayer for people who aren't as lucky. Side note, street fentanyl is different than fentanyl in the hospital. Fentanyl was first used as a pain reliever and sedation medication. So in a hospital-controlled environment, it's no different than any other narcotics. I'm glad he did well and didn't need it, but I would have been more worried about preventive antibiotics as antibiotics kill not only bad bacteria but also good bacteria. No matter what you are very lucky both of you are ok and going well. Congratulations he is a cutie!

[@jasonandjulie]

I agree about the antibiotics! Unfortunately that’s one that they weren’t willing to budge on 🫤

[@GoFishOffice]

Thank you for sharing. So sorry for the hardships but thankful you and your baby are home and well ❤

[@sharonlatour6230]

AWE!!! Hi sweet Lewis! So adorable and God's sweet miracle!

[@juanitafoster9834]

God is so good. Jason God put you there at the right time so you could pray with that couple. God bless you all.

[@BellyBurly87]

Your husband is amazing taking that nurse out of the room and protecting you and putting your needs and beliefs at the forefront. I wish my husband had been like that when I was in labour. It can make all the difference and now you can love him even more because you know he has your back x

[@KimNeale]

Maybe they should have stayed at home so ungrateful

[@Pennyshoppinglacy]

My twins were born at 36 weeks thankfully no nicu time but my singleton was born 32 weeks 2lbs 14oz spent 2 months in the nicu... the nicu is very trying its hard but the nicu nurses and doctors are amazing

[@amyd4797]

Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you all made it home and didn’t have to be there too long. What a stressful experience but what a testimony he will have one day!

[@tamicakenyon7683]

I had ten in the hospital and one at home. That being said, I am sorry you had a hard time, but I am so thankful your baby is ok.

[@opperman818]

Poor little guy... So glad he's doing better ❤ Hospital births are polar opposite than home births. Hospital births do feel more rushed, violent, and zero privacy in comparison. But unfortunately are sometimes necessary. I'm glad you were able to have say in what they gave Lewis

[@aleshalipsky1684]

What a challenging time that you all had for the arrival of sweet Lewis. I had a very trying birth for my fifth baby and it brings back a lot of memories. I am on the other side of the fresh thoughts and battles by several years. So I pray that you continue to lean on God and he truth and comfort that he has provided. You to will be on the other side of this, it just takes time. I will continue to pray for you and Lewis as you learn about his journey.

[@niamhdeane418]

Praise the Lord for the staff in the NICU. Our last baby was born at 36 weeks and had to go under the lights multiple times before we were permitted to leave. We had to buy a special insert for premie babies just to fit him correctly in the car seat! Thank God you are home now and safe.

[@jasonandjulie]

They are a special group of people for sure!!

[@angelaburke2468]

Love you you all ❤ now it's time to heal and love ❤

[@jannetomlinson1831]

Julie and Jason I have followed you for years and sent an Aussie book for the children. As a retired nurse I would have made a monetary bet that there would have been issues with delivery. You with scar tissue and thickened placenta from bleeds and baby being 5 weeks premature,also having cord around neck. Jason seems very angry and I don’t think appreciates the fact that obstetricians are the most sued people in America and they needed to offer you all those things. A pity that the head dr wasn’t your private dr,here they would have made the decisions with you. Premature babies often have echos as their valves haven’t yet closed. Hoping he can now thrive

[@DeniseNorthern1225]

Absolutely!

[@shellcshells2902]

I am so sorry this happened and I thank the Lord that He was watching over you all. My son had almost the same situation at his birth 29 years ago. It was so traumatizing and I'm grateful the Lord protected him. He is a healthy 29 year old man who loves the Lord and tells everyone he meets about Jesus. Thank you for sharing your story and I'm keeping you all in my prayers. ❤

[@katiemcevoy]

Praise God for you and your family!! I was crying with you in this video. You and your family are so strong! ❤

[@standingforjesus1214]

Praise the Lord for his love and mercy ! Baby Lewis is such a pretty baby. Been praying for you and family through our your pregnancy. I know the Lord continues to hold you all in his hands. I thank the Lord God Almighty that everything has turned out well. God bless each of you. Love from a sister in Christ.

[@jasonandjulie]

Thank you for your prayers!

[@GaynorFamilyHomestead]

The intervention train is SO fast. I’m so sorry. Glad baby is ok

[@ingeborggroth1415]

What an emotional time, I almost cried when listening to your story. My first birth was rather traumatic, too, and we dealt with health troubles for almost a year after that. My memory of this first year is very blurry, but I remember one moment very clearly, which marked the end of this year of worries. I was sitting in a hospital hallway, waiting for one of the innumerous physical exam results, which had been performed with my little baby. (I am not saying that the medical staff is to blame for unnecessary, extensive treatments. Her initial condition really was terribly bad. I felt she was in competent hands throughout the whole year.) The very old, very fatherly doctor came out, saw how obviously spent I was with worries, sat next to me and said: "Despite the obvious, I would say she is doing perfectly fine. From what I am sensing, all she needs is time and peace and quiet. We will not perform any more exams with her, we trust she's fine." I felt so incredibly thankful for those words and have never looked back since. My little baby is 25 years old now and doing better than ever.

[@cathybier506]

Praise God's blessings on Lewis and your family! May he continue to bless and protect your family!❤

[@amberrobinson13]

He’s absolutely beautiful and so perfect 💙🥰 congratulations to you and the rest of the family. God is good ALL the time.

[@ILENENETERER]

Thank you for telling your story, you are an amazing couple. I was a pioneer in 1968 for the natural birth movement! I believe the scripture there is a time to be born and a time to die that is ordained by God. Unfortunately my ex husband was not a believer so I did not have his support. He was fear based. I had a tramatic hospital birth with my first baby then went to home births. I had ten babies. I am now 80 years old in wonderful health. May God Bless you and your family. Soon they will be adults and you will be making videos as empty nesters. I used to have children now I have dogs and cats. ❤

[@jasonandjulie]

What an amazing story! Im so glad you were able to have those redemptive homebirths and encourage others as well 💖

[@WeepingWillow422]

I'm very sorry that things didn't go as planned and that you had trouble with the medical care staff at this hospital you went to. It does make sense in my mind that some of their rushed actions, as Jason said, actually may have done more harm than good for both mom and baby. I don't blame you guys for being frustrated about this experience. I will say I'm glad, as I'm sure you guys are, that you had those natural home birth experiences so that you could kind of know which things truly weren't necessary. I'm glad everyone is home now and doing well. God bless you guys! As bad as things were, certain details from your story remind me that God brings us to certain places and through certain challenges for a reason.