The Bradley Method Assisted Joy During Labor

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I realized that I was really in labor when I started to experience nausea and even the thought of eating an ice cream cone nauseated me. My previous two births shown me that when I hit transition that I would experience nausea so this signaled to me that I was really in labor.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

One of the most challenging thing for me going natural with a birth is trying to keep focused and calm while pushing.

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

I have two things that I really feel are the most helpful to prepare for childbirth, exercise and taking Mountain Meadow Herbs Gentle Birth. I am a believer in MMH Gentle Birth because my first two births were induced but with the last two births I was not induced!

What surprised you about your birth?

I was surprised with how well I was able to control the pain with breathing on my own (I did have a good support team of my husband, my mother in-law, and an awesome nurse but I did not need their help as much as I did with my first previous births).

Advice I would give to other mamas who want to go natural is to have a wonderful support team, having people whom you trust and whom are 100% behind you having a natural birth and people whom will speak up for you and do whatever is needed to help you during labor and delivery.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

The pain relief strategy that worked best for me was breathing, I used more of a Bradley Method of breathing.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I ended up delivering on my back.

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

To hold my baby for the first time was a wonderful experience, feelings of love, relief, and joy overcame me, as well as feelings of accomplishment.

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

Advice I would give to other mamas who want to go natural is to have a wonderful support team, having people whom you trust and whom are 100% behind you having a natural birth and people whom will speak up for you and do whatever is needed to help you during labor and delivery.
Also, exercising during your pregnancy to get strength up for labor.