Ina May Gaskin's Guide, Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea And Eating Dates Helped Blanca During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

10:30pm night before she was born while catching up on orange is the new black :) cramps came on suddenly every 10 minutes at 39 weeks.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Being at a hospital setting where i had to sneak food and had to have an IV in place.

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

Read Ina May Gaskin guide to child birth. Drank red raspberry leaf tea. Ate 6 dates daily a few weeks before my due date.

What surprised you about your birth?

I slept through my labor. Started at 10:30pm night before and she was born next morning at 7:35am. Woke up only when i would get contractions. Last big contraction woke me up and she was suddenly crowning. I held her little head while squatting on the bed. Nurses flagged down the first Dr. they could and he had to "catch" her with no gloves lol!

Trust your body. Eat dates. Stay active. Sit on yoga ball as much as possible during last trimester. Drink your red raspberry leaf tea. Sneak in dates and granola for labor energy if in hospital!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Sleeping on my side. Squatting at the top of the bed

What position did you end up delivering in?

Squatting on an upright hospital bed.

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

Love at first sight. (I already loved her but I wasnt sure i could love her as much as my first...ps. I CAN!)

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

Trust your body. Eat dates. Stay active. Sit on yoga ball as much as possible during last trimester. Drink your red raspberry leaf tea. Sneak in dates and granola for labor energy if in hospital!