Amanda’s egg. Lauren’s womb. When that’s how it starts, you know it’s going to be an amazing story. Amanda always wanted a biological child but could not imagine herself carrying and Lauren dreamt of birthing babies since she was a little girl. When they started their journey to becoming parents, they didn’t even know there was a term for what they wanted to do (Reciprocal IVF.) The first part of their journey was indescribable joy and devastating loss when they miscarried their twin boys from their first IVF transfer. After that they traveled through a chemical pregnancy before Judah, their first rainbow baby, was born in 2020. Malachi joined their family in late 2022 – this is his story.
Amanda (mama) and Lauren (mommy) ooze love and joy. To spend a minute in their presence is to wish for a thousand more. Being there to tell the story of this pregnancy, birth, and baby was one of the greatest honors of my life.
Lauren’s birth story in her own words:
“This baby’s birth was nothing short of supernatural.
My water broke on Wednesday afternoon but my labor waited until the quiet of the night to come.
I labored with Amanda by my side from about 9pm to midnight when our birth team started trickling in. Around 2am I got in the water where my body continued to guide me through each surge and release.
Before I even knew what was happening I felt Malachi shift deep down inside of me and my body began pushing. It was as if I wasn’t even in control. 16 minutes later, at 3:11am, our sweet baby was here.
Words cannot express my love and appreciation for my midwife, who showed me how to trust the most primitive parts of myself. By giving me a virtually unassisted birth, I am feeling as though I too have been reborn.”
One of my favorite things about a home birth is climbing into your own bed and snuggling with your people. And that’s exactly what Lauren and Amanda and their two sons did with Judah and Malachi. Such sweet snuggles were had as they all got to know each other.
Thank you, Lauren and Amanda, for trusting me with these moments. I absolutely adore your family.
