Going To Chiropractor And Laboring In Birthing Pool Helped Monica During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I actually woke up to contractions. At first, I thought I was just dreaming, until they actually started to wake me up. I decided to take a shower and see if they went away, but was pretty confident this was the real deal.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I think the hardest thing was just the fact that I pretty much zoned everyone else out. I was so focused on my breathing and visualizing my baby moving down, that I had my eyes closed majority of the time I was in labor and I had a hard time focusing on what my midwife & nurses (any anyone else for that matter) were saying to me. Also, the fact that my delivery didn't exactly go according to plan.. I had spent so much time watching these beautiful, calm, water birth videos and had this idea of how it was going to go, but after my water broke & my midwife saw meconium, she asked me to stand up. I somehow managed to step out of the pool ad well and lay on the floor so my midwife could help deliver my baby, who's shoulders had gotten "stuck".

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

Going to the chiropractor made a HUGE difference for me this time around. I feel like it helped me not only be more comfortable during my pregnancy, but it also contributed to a much faster delivery.

What surprised you about your birth?

The fact that my delivery didn't exactly go according to plan.. I had spent so much time watching these beautiful, calm, water birth videos and had this idea of how it was going to go, but after my water broke & my midwife saw meconium, she asked me to stand up. I somehow managed to step out of the pool ad well and lay on the floor so my midwife could help deliver my baby, who's shoulders had gotten "stuck". I had originally planned on a home birth with my children present, but last minute (37 weeks) decided on a hospital birth. In the end I feel like everything worked out for the best.

Don't listen to anything negative!! If someone tries to tell you that you can't or shouldn't have a natural birth, you need to put some distance between them & yourself. Also, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself, especially when having a hospital birth. I dealt with a lot of people who didn't share my beliefs and continued to try and pressure me into things I didn't want.. but I stood my ground & did what I felt best for my baby.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Water was my best friend this time around! I spent most of my time laboring in either a bathtub or in the birthing pool. When I wasn't in the water, I kept moving. Whether it was walking around or rocking on the birthing ball, movement & focusing on my breathing were SO helpful to me.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I started out on my knees in the birthing pool while she was crowing, moved to my hands and knees, and then ended up on my back on a blanket on the floor since it was the best possible position for my midwife to help me get her out.

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

After everything that happened, it was so emotional when I finally held her! I was so scared and it felt like it took forever to gear her cry. I remember yelling and asking if she was okay. When I finally got her, I just hugged her & cried. I was so thankful that she was okay.

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

Don't listen to anything negative!! If someone tries to tell you that you can't or shouldn't have a natural birth, you need to put some distance between them & yourself. Also, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself, especially when having a hospital birth. I dealt with a lot of people who didn't share my beliefs and continued to try and pressure me into things I didn't want.. but I stood my ground & did what I felt best for my baby.