Educating Herself By Reading Mama Natural's Book Helped Andrea Achieve Her Natural Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I had experienced random contractions day before.... went to bed at 9:30 pm and woke up with a jolt of extremely strong contractions. I knew they were the real ones.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The last hour of contractions before baby was born, the contractions were the most painful, and there so close together, I couldn’t handle the pain. That was the worst part.

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

Read positive affirmations, read how to birth naturally, getting as much wisdom about positions to birth and knowing your options and being confident in your decisions as mother as to what you want allowed done to your baby like vaccinations, fetal monitor, laboring positions. I liked how your book educated on both sides of the spectrum and shared experience.

What surprised you about your birth?

My last baby I labored in hospital for 24 hours and ended up getting epidural. For this baby my third, I prayed a lot about laboring and delivering quickly and Unmedicated. God answered my prayers. By the time I checked into hospital and delivered , it was 3 hours and 15 min. The last 30 minutes I couldn’t handle the pain and I begged for epidural. I was very very sad about it... by the time the doctor came in to do it , I felt the need to push and delivered her minutes later. God knew all that I could handle and I’m so glad she came before I ended up getting epidural! That was a huge goal of mine to have her Unmedicated. For that I am proud of myself for having her naturally! Insane experience , it was terribly painful, but I wouldn’t do it any other way. I loved feeling so clear minded after and had so much energy surprisingly. I had no side affects from drugs, which was awesome. Empowerment of having a baby naturally is awesome.

I was really scared about it, but I prayed a lot and God gave me the strength and faith to do it.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Labored in shower helped a lot. Playing music helped, walking around and gripping things helped.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I was on all fours when I started pushing and they made me turn over to sit on my back

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

Amazing

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

I was really scared about it, but I prayed a lot and God gave me the strength and faith to do it. It’s definitely painful but the satisfaction of it is wonderful and feeling so clear minded after and being able to move out weighs the other side. Get educated and read Mama naturals book to help give you confidence to do it, watch natural birthing videos. The more you know the more confident you feel. You can do it!