-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at about 2am with what felt like intense period cramps. I woke my husband up and said “I think today is the day!”
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly, all of the negative people around me. I had so many people telling me that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but leading up to and throughout labor, I just kept reminding myself that my body was made for it.
-
794C0643-EC4E-4F6C-A577-EA32A6426739
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read several positive natural birth stories from strong women who had given birth previously. I found it so encouraging and empowering to hear all of the different ways that babies have been brought into the world, and it kept reminding me of the amazing things my body was designed to do
-
What surprised you about your birth?
My contractions only had a regular pattern for about an hour before my daughter was born! I was in labor for a total of 29 hours, but outside of that final hour, my contractions would jump from 12 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart, to 6, to 16, to 4 minutes apart. They were all over the place. I started to get discouraged, thinking that no pattern meant no progress, but my husband was so good to remind me that my body was getting me closer to meeting my daughter with every contraction.
-
You are able! God created your body with such specific design and purpose. Keep your birthing goals at the forefront of your mind and trust in your body’s ability to get you there.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
I worked very hard to practice body control, so as not to tense up during labor. Also, keeping my breathing steady and holding my husband’s hand kept me calm and grounded.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was so unreal. I couldn’t believe that after dreaming about it for so many years, I was finally a mom! Nothing could compare to the amount of love and accomplishment I felt in that moment.
-
What did you name your baby, and why?
We named her Brylee Dawn. I had liked the name Brylee for a few years before she was born, I wanted something unique but not too crazy. And she shares her middle name with me and my mom.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You are able! God created your body with such specific design and purpose. Keep your birthing goals at the forefront of your mind and trust in your body’s ability to get you there. And remember that no matter how that no matter how they get there, you are bringing a new little life into the world and that’s amazing. YOU are amazing mama!
