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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At work I was on a personal phone call with my brother in the middle of the call like maybe after 15-20 minutes of speaking I started to feel uncomfortable cramping couldn’t pay attention to the conversation. I hung up tried walking around my job two times and the cramping didn’t subside. I went in and said I think it’s time for me to leave I think today may be the day. Two days prior at my checkup I had forgotten that I was already 3 cm my midwife stretched me to 4 but no water broke no pain previously.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing is working through the contractions remembering your breathing and focus. Then the pushing can at times be challenging as well mostly the pain of the contractions.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did was stay moving - worked until my due date walking constantly not being still kept me active enough to get through labor, also having my birth plan and everyone on my team knowable about what I want and don’t want to remain the same even when I change yo during active labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
This birth surprised me with the cab ride to the birthing center due to painful contractions the driver spoke no English panicked called the police they drove me to hospital. After crying and praying I advocated for myself to leave since my teen daughter could not be with me due to hospital rules saying she is a minor although she is apart of my birth plan, I left refocused got myself to my midwife and birthing center in another borough from where I live Manhattan to Brooklyn, remembered why this is happening and faith in God that I can do this. Then the quick delivery of my son who came out without me pushing with the veil over his head, my water not breaking at all until right before he came out, the fact that I didn’t scream at all unlike when I had my daughters, I birthed him in complete silence calmly as I had written in my birth plan.
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Stick to your plan if no complications arise. Have people on your team that support what you want no matter what. Faith and belief that you can do this as such as many women since time began on earth.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The pain relief was walking back and forth breathing through contractions, sitting on the birthing ball.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt amazing that I was able to do this once again all-natural in water 3 times over!
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Ashton because I wanted an A name since my name is Alana and his middle name is Arabic or middle eastern Ahmad it means the chosen one, it’s fitting to me since he was a surprise pregnancy baby I feel like he was chosen by God to be here.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
My advice would be to stick to your plan if no complications arise. Have people on your team that support what you want no matter what. Faith and belief that you can do this as such as many women since time began on earth.
