Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea And Exercising Regularly Helped Rebekah Achieve Her First Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I woke up at 4:30 am the actual morning of my due date. I didn’t have any contractions or signs of labor, but it was as if my body was wide awake telling me something big was about to happen. I started contracting at 7:30 and the contractions were coming every 5 minutes. I called my midwife and she said to try taking a bath and seeing if the contractions backed off. Instead, they got stronger, and by the time my midwife arrived 45 minutes later I was in active labor.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I second-guessed my decision to have a home birth multiple times during the last trimester. I had extremely high blood pressure and horrible swelling and I worried that I might experience complications. However, I had prayed a lot about the decision to have a home birth and felt like it was what I had been led to do, so I stuck to that decision. In the end, everything went perfectly and it was definitely the right decision.

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

I drank iced red raspberry leaf tea almost exclusively during the last trimester and I credit it to my very fast labor (only 5.5 hours from start to finish). I also exercised regularly and reduced sugar and carb intake drastically during the last trimester.

What surprised you about your birth?

I had terrible periods as a young adult, so I was prepared for the contraction pains. However, I was not as prepared for the pushing stage. It lasted two and a half hours and there was a very little break. Just when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, I gave a final push and my beautiful little girl came out!

Trust your body. If you have the desire to go natural, then do what you need to make it happen!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I rested completely any time my body gave me a break. My labor was very fast so there was not a lot of rest time, but I used every second I had and it gave me energy for the next wave.

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

Amazing and such a relief! It seemed like only a few moments, but I found out later I had been holding her for almost two hours.

What did you name your baby, and why?

Alice Christine. Alice has always been my favorite girl name, and it is a family name on my husband’s side. Christine is mine and my grandmother’s middle name and I wanted to continue it.

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

Trust your body. If you have the desire to go natural, then do what you need to make it happen! In the end, home birth was such a great decision for me and saved the c-section I know I would have had in the hospital due to the high blood pressure I had prior to delivery. Being able to rest at home with my baby and have my family come to see her was so wonderful and a blessing.