Walking, Swimming and Stairs At The Gym Helped Holli During Her Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

This is my third natural birth. My first was at a birth center, and the other two were at home. All three times I didn't believe I was in labor until close to transition because I convinced myself that I was still a long way from "real" labor. I am a doula and have been to many births, I think this made it almost more difficult for me to admit I was in labor and just keep going about my business until I was about to start transition. With this labor I went to the grocery store because I really "needed" chocolate milk and bananas. While at the store I had several close and strong contractions, decided to pick up a box of Popsicles just in case things got serious, called my midwives to let them know I was MAYBE in labor and going to the bank. At the bank I had another few contractions (an elderly man asked me at some point while in line if I was okay and I said, "Oh sure") and then when I got home around 11:30am my midwives (knowing I tend to lie to myself about being in labor) met me there and after checking my cervix they asked my my husband was coming home for lunch because I was almost 6 cm dilated!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Things went really quickly after my husband got home about 12:30pm. I got in the birth tub (set up in my bedroom) around 1:45pm and started pushing around 2:15. I'm not sure what was difficult about this labor, it was really smooth. I think with all my labors the most important part was getting jittery with all the hormones during transition. When transition was over it left me a bit weepy because of the hormone shift. So with each baby I cried really hard just before pushing. The other difficult part with this labor was that once I pushed baby's head out my contractions stopped, I leaned forward to push again and nothing happened as I sat there waiting for another contraction to push baby out. So her head was out, and underwater just waiting for me to get another push. It felt like forever, I kept touching her head and saying, she has such a tiny head. My midwives said no one ever says their baby has a tiny head after pushing, haha. I think it was only a minute or less but it seemed like 3 or 4. Then she just came right out with the next push.

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

Walking, swimming and stairs at the gym. I also got really addicted to the warm therapy pool at the very end. I went to the gym every day just to get in the pool and float around. Not having the weight on my back, legs, hips was really great. I think it helped me stay positive and get the baby in a good position.

What surprised you about your birth?

My two older children (10 and 6) came home from school at 2:30pm and the baby was born at 2:44pm! It was really wonderful having them there. And my first born cut the cord! That was one of my very favorite parts.

I love her so much! It was awesome having my big kids around me and my husband and children all welcoming the new little member of our family

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Birth pool! Although I would say that this birth was not really very painful. Wait, I did have a lot of pressure on my bottom and having my midwife put counter pressure during each push really helped me focus on pushing, not saving my bottom.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Sitting in a bit of a squat. I caught the baby with the midwife so I was forward enough to reach down.

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

I love her so much! It was awesome having my big kids around me and my husband and children all welcoming the new little member of our family

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

I love midwifery care. Even if you go to a hospital, hire a private midwife to do your in home postpartum care. After you give birth with a dr. you don't have care for 6 weeks. But having a midwife come to your home several times along the way to check on mama and baby is vital to recovery (emotionally and physically). I do postpartum care for mamas and their families and I would say hire a postpartum doula for a few days also. Having support after birth makes birth so much easier because no matter what happens you can have the confidence that support is there for you. And having a team care for your family builds so much confidence.