Educating Herself And Taking Mama Natural Birth Class Helped Andrea Achieve Natural Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I woke up feeling achy like I was getting a cold but didn’t think too much of it. I went to my regularly scheduled OB appointment and let him know I didn’t feel great. He checked me and I was 5cm dilated and my water had broken! They sent me straight to L+D and things really went quickly from there.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I think just sticking with what you know is right for you and your family even when it’s not mainstream. It really requires you to know your stuff and be committed to your self and trust your instincts.

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

Mama natural class! I think educating myself and learning to not stress out about it, trusting the process was the most helpful decisions I made.

What surprised you about your birth?

How quickly it all went! I am a first-time mom and after looking at the stats and other stories I had prepared myself for this long 24 hour+ labor and weeks of recovery. At hospital check-in, I wasn’t even really feeling contractions and six hours later I was holding my baby! Recovery went really quickly as well, felt pretty much back to normal in a few days.

The class really helps with preparing for what happens to your body and baby naturally in childbirth as well as interventions and complications. It really gave me the information needed to choose and feel confident in my birth plan.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I found repeating words of affirmation in my head to myself really powerful in dealing with the pain. Also just flowing and moving the way my body told me to move freely really helped.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I ended up starting to push in the bed on my left side. The last few pushes I rolled over to my right side and that’s just what made the difference in getting him out!

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

Amazing, unbelievable, and so perfect! It feels so unreal yet so natural all at the same time.

How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?

The class really helps with preparing for what happens to your body and baby naturally in childbirth as well as interventions and complications. It really gave me the information needed to choose and feel confident in my birth plan.