Becoming a Doula Helped Caitlin During Her Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

Friday morning around 4:30am

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Getting over the fear of my previous traumatic hospital delivery.

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

After the traumatic birth of my second son, I became a doula. I think that was helpful in helping me with coping mechanisms during labor.

What surprised you about your birth?

My labor and birth was fast. I pushed out the baby in about 45 seconds. I never felt out of control of my body or overpowered by contractions. I can honestly say I wouldn't describe my labor as painful, intense, yes, but never painful. I will forever be grateful for our home birth experience. It reminded me that I am the one in control of my body and capable of doing what my body was made to do.

I was lost in my new baby. The feeling of oh my god we did it, I'm not broken, my body IS capable of this, took over. Sam, my midwife, kept asking if I was ok and how I was feeling and made sure I knew that if I started feeling bad that she needed to know.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I was never really in "pain" the whole experience was intense but it wasn't painful. I did a lot of deep vocalizing and swaying my hips. When my breathing got a little out of control after my amniotic sac burst, my midwife reminded me to breathe and I focused on blowing on the water and watching it ripple away from me. I kept telling myself "You can do anything for a minute"

What position did you end up delivering in?

I delivery in the birth pool on my knees holding my husbands hand over the side of the pool with my mother in law and kids (9 y/o daughter & 2.5 y/o son) watching.

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

I was lost in my new baby. The feeling of oh my god we did it, I'm not broken, my body IS capable of this, took over. Sam, my midwife, kept asking if I was ok and how I was feeling and made sure I knew that if I started feeling bad that she needed to know. I felt fantastic, tired from the 2 hrs of sleep after taking Tylenol PM, but fantastic.

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

Trust your instinct and believe in your body's ability to do this.