24/09/2024
For those friends who didn't see my beloved Joy's post, I thought I'd do another one in case you hadn't heard the wonderful news.
It’s my pleasure to welcome to you the latest addition to the Jackson family. We have a healthy, happy little baby boy. We have decided to call him Jai Gabriel Jackson. We are blessed to have been able to birth this little angel at home and it has not been without dedication and strong resolve to make the home birth happen.
Joy had been listening to, and watching, hundreds of hours of free birthing podcasts, life-affirming birth stories and has been doing lots of deep inner work developing her capacity physically, mentally and emotionally to be able to deliver our babies earthside naturally at home without intervention.
We both know nature sometimes has it's own ideas about how birth happens, and it was important to Joy and eventually myself too that our baby was delivered as naturally as possible.
Early on I felt a little intimidated about the idea of having another home birth. The more work Joy did I felt better, and the more support I received from from our support team Joy felt better. Eventually I felt rock solid and in my conviction, that is was the right thing for us.
There was a lot of fear and trust I needed to embody to hold space on the day of the birth and I am so grateful I had the support of such amazing mentors in my life.
I have so much adoration, gratitude and respect for what Joy went through, not only going through nearly 12 hours of about 9 or so hours of intense labour with no drugs.
I've seen a lot of epic stuff in my life, but birth is the most extraordinary yet naturally beautiful things I have ever witnessed.
We both feel so grateful and blessed to have been able to receive our wish and have the birth at home.
I was blessed to be able to catch the baby as it came out into the world. I felt a truly proud and grateful father to be able to catch Jai as he came into the world.
We are blessed to have the amazing support of superstar Lianne Swartz, and our wonderful Doula Leann Alexander.
We were also blessed to have had the birth photographed by the amazing Lauren Heath.
It’s such an honour to be a father to 2 special boys.
It is also the most challenging thing I have ever done. It is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done!
Balancing life as a father is a great challenge, and I'm so blessed to be so supported by Joy.
A special thanks to Maryanne Jackson who came to visit us for a month to support us just after the birth. Mezza you are superhuman and we are so grateful for your love and devotion.
To all the families who cooked such hearty and nutritious meals in the meal-train, we are forever grateful! What a blessing it was to not have to cook in the weeks following the birth!
Jai is a little angel and is growing and progressing well! He's starting smiling and is making the cutest facial expressions. He is pure perfection!
I am so proud of Joy. She deserves a standing ovation and my degree of respect for mothers has reached new levels!
To all those Dads and Mums out there who are creating new lives... I salute you! xoxo
And to all the parents in waiting who are yet to be parents... what an equally beautiful, and wild journey you are in for.
If you need any support around the prep for home birthing please ask and Joy and I would be delighted to share anything that may help your journey.