Listening To Birth Affirmations, Walking And Eating Iron-Rich Foods Helped Amy During Her Unmedicated Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was 11 days past my due date and after several days of warm-up contractions, I was waking up in the early morning to very strong but inconsistent contractions and knew this was the real deal, at last.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

After two previous natural births, I had a lot of built-up anxiety and fear about enduring the pain again, but once I was in the midst of labor all that fear vanished and I was able to put my focus and energy into meeting my baby.

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

I randomly found a podcast that paired birth affirmations with Bible verses [The Hive: Affirmations and Scriptures] I listened to those as I fell also each night during the final weeks of pregnancy. I was able to repeat that in my head during the most challenging contractions.
I also live in a very hilly neighborhood and did a lot of walking with my other kids during my entire pregnancy to prepare physically, as well as eat lots of iron-rich foods.

What surprised you about your birth?

All my specific prayers for labor came into fruition: a “convenient” middle-of-the-day birth so that I was somewhat rested (and the midwife and doula wouldn’t hit crazy DC rush hour traffic, as well as my sister who came to get my other kids); that my water wouldn’t break until I was ready to push (I wanted that extra cushion of amniotic fluids for contractions that I didn’t have with my first two babies); ideal baby alignment (unlike my second baby who had a hand on his head and created an extra challenging time of pushing and tearing); a fast birth (2 hours of active labor before meeting my baby!) and minimal to no perineum tearing. And of course, a healthy baby! I am so grateful God was merciful in every request.

You can do it. The pain is real and intense but your mind and body are stronger.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I had the most amazing midwife who was on call that day. She arrived as active labor was really picking up and jumped right into modeling posture and breathing techniques to help each contraction do its work. When I hit transition and things felt unbearable, she helped me visualize the baby smoothly working his way out and kept me focused.

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

Pure oxytocin bliss. It was such an amazing feeling to hold and meet my baby I’d been carrying for 41 weeks and 5 days, and know that he was finally safely out and that labor was over!

What did you name your baby, and why?

Rory. It means “red-haired king” and I like the king component of his name. Now we are noticing he has a ginger color to his hair so it’s quite fitting.

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

I truly believe if you have a “low-risk pregnancy” that natural birth is the healthiest way to go for you and your baby. You can do it. The pain is real and intense but your mind and body are stronger. I had to cultivate a lot of patience in the waiting period for this baby and was 3 days away from a hospital induction, but I trusted that the baby would come when he was ready, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to meddle with his timing and force him out early.