Hypnobirthing Classes And Relaxation Techniques Helped Cheyenne During Her First Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I suspected I was in labor before I even had contractions. The day before contractions started, I stayed in bed all day. I wanted to be alone and just relax. At about 2am the next morning, I woke up with contractions and timed them until 6 am. I didn't give birth until the day after that.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I was determined to have an unassisted home birth and had done a ton of preparation and research, so I was prepared to go natural! The "pain" was hard but a cake walk at the same time. What made my labor challenging was worrying myself about the "what ifs". I ended up going to the hospital just to make sure everything was ok after having strong contractions for over 12 hours. Turned out everything was OK and I was 1 cm away from having my baby!

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

I took hypnobirthing classes to prepare for my natural birth. The relaxation techniques were a life saver when the contractions became strong. It got me through my natural birth.

What surprised you about your birth?

I was surprised that I was able to make it through my first birth without any medications! I went in knowing nothing of what to expect and I made it through like a trooper. I was so surprised when I felt her head coming out and experienced no pain from it.

Just go with the flow! Some things won't go as planned and that is OK! Be prepared to deal with changes and know that you are still going to meet your baby at the end!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Hypnobirthing breathing techniques and staying in a warm tub worked best for my pain. When I started to experience back labor, having someone push on my sacrum was a huge pain reliever.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Since I ended up going to the hospital, I delivered on my back. That's the last position I wanted to be in, but to be honest, it was the most comfortable for me. Laboring in all other positions was difficult for me.

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

It was a huge relief! Its like I hadn't just dealt with the pain of childbirth. It was amazing to finally see what she looked like after so many months of wondering.

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

Just go with the flow! Some things won't go as planned and that is OK! Be prepared to deal with changes and know that you are still going to meet your baby at the end!
I was determined to have my unassisted home birth and ended up taking an ambulance to the hospital. And that is OK because I have my baby and she is still as perfect as she would be if I had her at home.