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Video Interview With Jackie
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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was five days past my due date and hoping I would see signs of labor soon (my first child was born at 41 weeks and 2 days, so I was ready to meet Baby #2!). My first sign of things moving in the right direction was when I lost my mucus plug early in the morning, around 3:30. However, I wasn't feeling any sort of contractions until 4 in the afternoon. I wasn't very hungry for dinner, which was another signal to me that things were moving along. My contractions started to increase in intensity, last longer, and were more frequent after dinner so that's when I started using a contraction timer to see how much I was progressing.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My first birth was natural as well, but very long and arduous with lots of back labor. In the back of my mind I was worried that would happen again and that I would tire easily. However, the back labor this time was significantly less and my husband was able to apply good counter pressure to withstand the back pain this time.
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Baby-Jack
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
To get physically ready, I did exercises to try and get baby into a better position, such as skipping a step when going up stairs and Spinning Babies. To mentally prepare, I focused on positive affirmations that my baby and I would work together to have a smoother delivery. The book "Holistic Hypnobirthing" by Anthonissa Moger was also helpful in getting me to prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised how I was already 9 centimeters dilated by the time I arrived at the birth center. I was able to labor at home for over 5 hours and by the time we arrived at the birth center, my son was born within an hour!
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Find your support systems, do your research, and have a positive mindset. I was blessed to have a supportive team!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The scent of breathing in cypress essential oil during each contraction helped tremendously! It was very calming and relaxing. I was surprised at how much aromatherapy helped me, even with my pregnancy congestion. I labored and gave birth in a tub; the warm water was soothing. Breathing techniques, visualizing the peaceful field beyond our farmhouse, and thinking about each contraction as a wave bringing me closer to my son also helped to keep my mind focused and at ease.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Exhilarating! My little guy and I worked together and had an intense, empowering birth experience. After he came out, holding him close felt so good. My little buddy was finally here!
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Jack Michael Thomas. Jack was the name of my husband's paternal grandfather. Michael is my dad's name, and Thomas is my father-in-law's name. My husband and I think it's important to have at least some part of our children's name to be after someone in the family to honor their memory.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Find your support systems, do your research, and have a positive mindset. I was blessed to have a supportive team of my midwife, doula, and husband. I had given birth naturally once before and had an idea of what things I wanted to do differently to have an easier delivery, so I did my research to help make that happen. In addition, keeping a positive, affirmative mindset was essential. I told myself that I would be able to labor longer at home, complete the birth at the birth center, and that Baby Jack and I would work together.
