Reading Birth Stories and Hiring a Doula Helped Amber During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was nearly 2 weeks "over due". At 41 weeks and 2 days, a Wednesday, I had a non-stress test that showed a high heart rate in baby, and also that he was being non-reactive. We moved on to an ultrasound, which showed what the doctor thought was meconium floating in the amniotic fluid. The doctor recommended that we induce by the weekend- my greatest fear. I asked if he would allow us to go home and try some natural methods to induce. He agreed, saying if that didn't work, then we would need to come in to be induced by Thursday night. I called my doula to come help us induce naturally. We tried everything in the book. Wednesday night I had a few painful back labor contractions that stopped once I got out of bed and walked around. The next day, we tried a few more methods, but by that afternoon it was becoming clear that we were going to have to go on in to the hospital. We stopped by my chiropractor on our way in for an adjustment and one last Webster maneuver. When we got to the hospital,we decided to try cervidil first, I was terrified of pitocin contractions after all the horror stories I'd read. After 12 hours, we saw that the cervidil wasn't working, so we decided to rupture my amniotic sack. This was Friday. by the next day, Saturday, I still was not having any timeable contractions, and my cervix showed little change. Reluctantly, we decided to start pitocin,at the very smallest dose. As soon as the drip started, so did my contractions. We only had to bump up the dose once, and that really got my labor going, finally.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I thought it would be the pitocin induced contractions, but they were actually more bearable than my first birth. This time around, I'd say it was the mental game. For the first half of my labor, I was very upset that we were having to induce-- this was not the way I had planned to go into labor. But I had a talk with myself, and finally I was able to accept it and move on and make the most of my birth.

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

Read books: Ina May's guide to childbirth by Ina may Gaskin, pregnancy childbirth and the newborn by penny simkin. Read birth stories, and hire a doula.

What surprised you about your birth?

How I was able to deal with pitocin contractions without pain medication. And how I preferred to be on my feet or upright, as opposed to my first birth, where all I wanted to do was lie down.

I felt prepared and empowered!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Standing and squatting, supported by husband. Showering, breathing slow and deep. Listening to music, using focal points.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Hands and knees

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

Relieving, rewarding.

How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?

I Felt prepared and empowered.