Doing Lots of Research and Reading Ina May Gaskin's Books Helped Jessica During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I ended up going past my due date and had to be induced. My plan was to have my baby girl at a birthing center with my midwife but ended up at the hospital, luckily still with my midwife.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I had a pitocin drip which I hear makes things tougher and it was all back labor.

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

I did lots of research on natural childbirth and I read Ina May Gaskin's books.

What surprised you about your birth?

What surprised me the most was I did "everything right" all during pregnancy and I still had no control of my birth. I took care of myself, exercised the whole time, ate good, did all the research, and did everything I could to get labor to start on it's own. It didn't. After hours of non medicated labor, when progress started going backwards, I took the epidural. Which gave me some rest before my cesarean. Even though I had heard so many people say to "forget the birth plan" I held out hope until the very end. My midwife let me try all kinds of positions to get the baby to rotate her head enough to get in a better position so I could deliver vaginally. Nothing worked. It was so surprising to me how the how whole thing spiraled out of control (in my mind at least). But I knew when they suggested the c section, we had done everything possible to keep me out of there.

Take care of yourself throughout pregnancy, really set your mind on going natural, and have a wonderful team of people around you who support your decision. But always be prepared for the unexpected!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

The tub worked for about 2 contractions. Having lots of pressure applied to my low back helped too

What position did you end up delivering in?

C-section

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

It was surreal! I had been waiting for so long.

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

Take care of yourself throughout pregnancy, really set your mind on going natural, and have a wonderful team of people around you who support your decision. But always be prepared for the unexpected!