Encouraging And Preparing Herself Make Tough Decisions Helped Candace Achieve Her Birth Center Water Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

Once I realized my labor was actually progressing and not staying stagnant. My contractions weren't changing much for the first few hours so I was feeling as if I was going to be sent home in false labor. But as soon as the environment calmed down and I was able to focus on me and baby my contractions quickly picked up, and that's when I knew baby was coming!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

This time around the pushing faze was very difficult for me. With my first I only had a short moment of pain as my son was crowning. With this baby I felt an incredible amount of pressure in my rear and especially on my tailbone which made pushing extremely intense.

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

I think making sure I was in the right mindset. Encouraging myself to confidentially birth my child naturally while at the same time understanding that things may not happen ideally and preparing myself to make tough decisions if need be.

What surprised you about your birth?

My baby girl!!! We kept the gender a surprise and it was the most memorable moment being able to find out for ourselves what our baby's gender was.

Educate yourself on the different stages of labor so you can understand what your body is doing through each transition. Don't have a strict plan for your labor and delivery, go with the flow and take each moment as it comes. Most importantly have faith in yourself, you can get through those tough moments if YOU believe you have the strength to!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Listening to my body and changing positions as I felt my body transitioning through each stage of labor was crucial for me to ease some of the pain. I also made sure I was resting in between and breathing through my contractions.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I ended up delivering my baby on all fours in the bathtub.

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

I don't know how to describe the feeling of holding my baby for the very first time, it's like nothing else. Their are so many emotions in that moment, joy of the baby being delivered safely, relief that the toughest part of labor is over, disbelief that their is actually a baby in my arms and not in my belly, and complete happiness!

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

Educate yourself on the different stages of labor so you can understand what your body is doing through each transition. Don't have a strict plan for your labor and delivery, go with the flow and take each moment as it comes. Most importantly have faith in yourself, you can get through those tough moments if YOU believe you have the strength to!