Being In The Birth Tub Really Helped Amanda With Pain During Her First Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I’d had Braxton Hicks contractions for several weeks but when I started to feel it in my hips and upper thighs (similar to where I feel period cramps) I knew something was different

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Trying to explain why I would ever want to to other people! It seems hospital birth with lots of interventions is ingrained as the norm and trying to show people that there could be a different way was a challenge. Not to mention feeling like I needed to defend my decision when people would ask.

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

Honestly, I don’t think anything I did really help to prepare me! I read a lot of Ina May Gaskin, studied up a little on hypnobirthing and Bradley, read countless articles about home birth, and it all went out the window when things started happening

What surprised you about your birth?

I was of the mindset that if I had good coping mechanisms to get through the pain all I needed to do was to sit back and let my body do it’s thing. However, we discovered I had a very narrow pelvic shape and I really had to work to get her down and out. At some point during my 32-hour labor, I had a mindset shift and knew I had to do some real work to make it happen

You are stronger than the pain. Not only does the joy of having your baby here make the pain worth it, but the feeling of empowerment, knowing that you freaking did it, is one of the best feelings in the world.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Being in the birth tub really helped with pain but I was getting so tired it was almost too relaxing and I had to be out of the tub to start making progress.

What position did you end up delivering in?

On the bed, on my hands and knees with one leg in front.

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

I can’t even explain it, it was so surreal. I hadn’t really slept or eaten in over 24 hours and I was shaking like crazy, holding this baby like holy cow, what did I just do? Did this really just happen? We had experienced several years of infertility and we kept the gender a surprise so sitting there holding my beautiful baby girl, realizing that she was my daughter and that I had delivered her from my own body was a moment I will never forget.

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

I can’t say that I have any advice other than recognizing that this will be one of, if not the hardest thing you will ever do and despite what all the gentle birth books may say the pain is real. But you are stronger than the pain. Not only does the joy of having your baby here make the pain worth it, but the feeling of empowerment, knowing that you freaking did it, is one of the best feelings in the world.