Christine's Surprise Car Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

My water broke at about 10:30 am and my labor started shortly after that with 2 minute apart contractions.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing was giving birth in the front passenger seat of my car, by myself.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

I hired a wonderful doula.

What surprised you about your birth?

We were trying to make it to an alternative birth care unit in a hospital to have a natural childbirth, like I had with my firstborn. However, my labor was less than two hours and we didn't make it there. I ended up giving birth by myself in the car, while my husband was in the ER of a hospital we didn't plan to go to, yelling for help. When he came back to our car, I was holding our baby!

I was in shock about what had just happened. It was amazing to see her those first few seconds after she was born though.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Taking slow, deep breaths between contractions helps.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Sitting in the front passenger seat, reclined, but not all the way because there was a car seat behind my seat. I had my seat belt on. Safety first!

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

I was in shock about what had just happened. It was amazing to see her those first few seconds after she was born though. She came out blue and quiet, and then was crying and turned pink in just seconds after her birth. I saw her turn pink, and it was so special. It would've been easy to miss out on seeing that if I had been relying on someone else to catch her.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

I choose natural childbirth for both pregnancies. My first was a 10 hour labor that included 2 hours of pushing. My second labor was less than 2 hours, and my baby basically flew right out of me. I still had my yoga pants on and was buckled in when her head started coming out! My advice is this: If you are pregnant with your second child, your labor may be much faster than your first labor was. I do not recommend planning a birth at a birth center that is an hour away, in the winter, during a snowstorm, especially if you have to wait for your in-laws to pick up your oldest child before you can leave for the hospital! If your water breaks and you start to have 2 minute apart contractions, just stay home and give birth at home! If you don't follow my advice you may have an exciting story to tell! Seriously, these are the lessons I have learned.