A Joyful Water Birth: Kera’s Powerful and Peaceful Arrival Story

The Call That Started It All

So as we were welcoming the newest baby boy with Evan and Ana, I received a call from Kera letting me know her water had just broken. After making sure the last couple and baby were all safe and snug in bed, Caitlyn and I drove to check on her. Contractions were still fairly gentle and she was coping well, so we laid down to sleep and woke up in the morning to discuss a plan. We decided to all go home for a while and let her sleep as much as she could and they would call their doula, Cassandra, to come help when they needed someone.

A Gentle Beginning and a Patient Plan

At about 9:30am, we got a call that her contractions were getting intense and staying close together so we hurried back. When I walked in, Kera was on the couch on her hands and knees as Doula Cassandra was doing gentle bodywork on her hips. Kera asked me when she would know that it would be time to push and I told her that her body would make her push when it was time. She said, “Okay!” Then on the very next contraction she had the urge to push just a little at the top of the contraction. I told her I thought she might want to get in the water if she still wanted her water birth so she did!

Trusting the Body: Labor Intensifies

Each contraction urged her to push more and more. As she pushed his head out, she had a break from contractions. We told her the head was out and she was like, “really?! Is he cute?!” And in the same breath “Wait, of course he’s cute, he looks like me!” Then she asked, “is the next part going to hurt more or less?” When we all assured her it would be less she said. “Okay, that’s fine, I can totally do that!”

A Beautiful Water Birth and First Embrace

On the next contraction she pushed him out with ease and lifted him up to her chest. She looked straight into Connor’s eyes with the biggest look of shock and awe. And then loudly proclaimed, “That wasn’t so bad! I could totally do that again!”

Baby Ezekiel was born with so much love and laughter! I think of this birth often and just smile to myself. These births where mom educates herself, does the pelvic floor exercises recommended, nourishes herself well, does the mental and emotional work to be ready, and has a loving supportive team…. It feels like magic but it is really hard work paying off.

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Every birth has its own rhythm, its own challenges, and its own quiet moments of courage and love. At Heart Strings Birth Services, we believe birth is more than a medical event - it is a sacred unfolding, lovingly supported and deeply personal. These stories are shared with permission to honor the families who trusted us with their care and to encourage others as they walk their own birth journeys.

This blog post originated from @heartstringsbirthservices - March 13th 2026