Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea And Watching Home Birth Videos Helped Candace Achieve Her First Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

At 3:30 AM on Mach 30 my contractions stirred me from sleep and were 5 minutes apart. Mostly pressure, I rested all day and was able to sleep all night. By saturday afternoon they jumped to 3 min apart. No cervical change, but at 6:30 that evening, my water finally broke! Contractions picked up in strength within an hour.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

This time, the challenge was waiting on labor to start on its own! My other natural labors were far more painful and I attribute a lot of that to my impatience and jump starting labor artificially (castor oil, artificial membrane rupture). My daughter was almost 2 weeks overdue, but my labor was manageable and beautiful. I’m glad we waited.

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

I drank a lot of red raspberry leaf tea and took 5W. My contractions were strong but I could absolutely wrap my head around them. I also watched many many home birth videos and read birth affirmations to prepare for my first home birth.

What surprised you about your birth?

My midwife read my labor by vocal cues and other labor cues (vomiting in transition, tiredness, overall mental state). Once my water broke I never had a cervical exam. 5.5 hours later I pushes out my sweet 10 lb girl spontaneously. Finding a knowledgeable midwife practice who trusted me to know my body really set my 5th natural labor apart from the rest.

There is nothing in the world as wonderful as meeting your baby. Love at first sight. This is our 5th and final baby, and her birth was the perfect ending to a beautiful chapter of baby having in our lives!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Movement (swaying and standing/kneeling) as well as counter pressure on my hips and tailbone. I’ve never used that laboring before but I’m ever so thankful my midwife introduced me to them this time!!!

What position did you end up delivering in?

Leaning forward over pillows, mostly Upright.

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

There is nothing in the world as wonderful as meeting your baby. Love at first sight. This is our 5th and final baby, and her birth was the perfect ending to a beautiful chapter of baby having in our lives!

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

Find a provider who learns with you and about you. Research supplements that help tone and prep your body. Most importantly, give birth where you feel safest, for me, that was home.