Hiring A Doula Helped Katie During Her Natural Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I realized I was really in labor when I couldn’t do anything except having a contraction during contractions.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Transition. I started questioning my true reasoning behind wanting to go natural and felt like I was doing it just for bragging rights. She was born about 10 minutes later, so I didn’t have to fight that thought for very long.

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

Hiring a doula. I didn’t have one with my first and she gave a lot of suggestions on how to make labor more comfortable. She was the one who suggested the bath (at home) and I figured it couldn’t hurt to try, even though I really don’t like baths. It ended up being amazing and we were able to snag a labor tub at the hospital and it made all the difference.

What surprised you about your birth?

Pushing! When I first had the urge to push I was still in the tub (my hospital allows women to labor, but not deliver, in the water). I felt my water break and with my next contraction I couldn’t push and I felt baby’s head move way down. I was quickly helped to the bed and just 3 pushes later she was all out! With my first, because of the epidural I never had the chance to feel that sensation and pushed for much longer.

Be proud and surprised by how your body is able to do such a huge, exhausting, beautiful thing on its own.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

WATER. I started out in the shower, which was nice, but I soon grew tired of standing up. I switched to my bathtub at home and because it was so great, we ended up going into the hospital soon after to take advantage of their large labor tubs.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I ended up delivering on all fours. It was a position I found myself taking in the tub during contractions and it continued to feel the most right all the way through.

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

I was in shock! She was passed to me up through my legs and I couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. She looks nothing like my son, so the first hour I was just so captivated by how she looked.

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

Make sure your support person/people really understand how to best support you. My husband is great at the comforting part, but isn’t confident in making suggestions. We chose to hire a doula with our second to help with that insecurity and we both felt it made all the difference. Know that it’s easy to want to give up during transition, but that means baby is SO close. Be proud and surprised by how your body is able to do such a huge, exhausting, beautiful thing on its own.