Bradley Classes With Her Husband Helped Savannah During Her Natural Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

My midwife came to the hospital and broke my bag of waters at 6 AM, I drank 2 oz of castor oil and I began to feel regular contractions around 8 AM.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

For me, it was the last few pushes. The contractions leading up to it were ridiculous and once I felt a slight urge to push, it's like heaven swept over me and I literally felt drugged or something. During some pushing contractions, I didn't even push because I felt so good to just lie there! I was taking my sweet old time. After about 45 minutes of that pure bliss, my midwife began to get anxious or something because she started raising her voice saying "push HARD!!!". Internally I was thinking "Really? Why? This is so nice." My husband then informed me that the baby's head seemed to be "stuck" for the past few pushes. So I pushed HARD, way harder than I felt comfortable pushing, (turns out, baby's hand was up by her face and pushing against my vaginal wall, WONDERFUL SENSATION). That was definitely the most challenging as I felt I was pushing out an octopus.

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

Bradley classes helped my husband and I so much!! Also reading and studying the Word beforehand helped me feel secure and confident.

What surprised you about your birth?

I was surprised that most of my nurses were midwives in training!! That made choosing natural options SO much easier, as I didn't have to argue or feel pressured by hospital staff to succumb to the traditional interventions.

Hospitals aren't as scary as you may believe (like I did!). I'm happy to say that I didn't end up doing anything I didn't plan to do originally.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

MY HUSBAND! Absolute best coach! Everyone who came in the room was commenting on how amazing he was and joking about him being the best "dad doula" they'd ever seen. Also, soft instrumental music and worship music helped during the 1st stage. Once my contractions got super intense, I couldn't really handle music anymore and so I started declaring this scripture over and over in my head "for the joy set before Him, He endured cross" and pictured Jesus willfully dying for the sake of love.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I began pushing while on my side, but somehow I ended up slowly moving to my back and delivering the classic hospital bed 45° angle way.

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

I was honestly kind of shocked but felt so confident, even though she wasn't breathing at first. I just knew she would cry if I just held her and sure enough, she did!! I also couldn't believe she was a girl! I was so sure she was a boy up until that revealing moment.

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

Hospitals aren't as scary as you may believe (like I did!). I'm happy to say that I didn't end up doing anything I didn't plan to do originally. (GBS+ and no antibiotics, no vit K shot or oral, no epidural, no pitocin, no needles whatsoever!) I planned to deliver at a birthing center, but my blood pressure got too high so I had to deliver at the hospital.