Breathing Through Each Birthing Wave and Relaxing Helped Kacie During Her Natural Hospital VBAC Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I had been having pressure waves 20-40 minutes apart for 3 days. We went to bed Wednesday night and I was awoken just after 1 AM by an intense wave. I went downstairs to walk around so I wouldn’t wake my husband. Intense waves started happening 1-3 minutes apart, so I started the bathtub and woke my husband up to call our doula.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

All of the wireless monitors at the hospital were being used, so I had to be hooked up to the regular monitors, which made it hard to move around much (my doctor required continuous monitoring for VBACs). I was planning on laboring in the tub at the hospital as well since it helped so much at home but wasn’t able to due to the monitors.

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

I did a lot to prepare for this birth compared to my previous birth because I was determined not to have another c-section. I took a course on childbirth and hypnosis, read tons of natural birth stories, listened to positive birthing affirmations daily, educated myself and researched common occurrences/procedures during birth, and hired a doula.

What surprised you about your birth?

Pushing was a welcomed relief from all of the back discomfort I experienced and was one of the easiest parts. It was still hard work, but much easier and not painful like people make it out to be.

Figure out why you want to have a natural birth and don’t make it an option. Tell yourself that you WILL birth naturally no matter what unless it’s a medical emergency. Always having your why in the back of your mind will help you when you feel like you can’t do it anymore.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I tried to focus on breathing through each birthing wave, trying to relax as best I could. Movement helped a ton as well as counter pressure and being vocal through each wave.

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

It was surreal. In my first birth I wasn’t able to actually hold our daughter until an hour or so after she was born via c-section, so being able to hold our second daughter immediately was amazing.

What did you name your baby, and why?

We named her Hailey Rose. We asked our toddler, Hannah if she liked certain names, and she latched onto the name Hailey. No matter what name we asked, she always went back to Hailey, so it stuck. We chose Rose as the middle name after my grandma and my husband’s great grandma.

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

Figure out why you want to have a natural birth and don’t make it an option. Tell yourself that you WILL birth naturally no matter what unless it’s a medical emergency. Always having your why in the back of your mind will help you when you feel like you can’t do it anymore.