Hiring A Doula And Listening Birth Stories On Podcast Helped Ashley Achieve Natural Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I woke up at 4 am the day before Dylan was born with what felt like cramping. Except, unlike the cramping sensation I’d regularly experienced throughout the end of my third trimester, these cramps seemed to be coming at regular intervals - which was a red flag to me. My husband was scheduled to work in the morning so I told him to go in but keep his phone on because I wasn’t sure if it was Braxton Hicks or the real deal. Around 10 AM these “cramps“ were coming regularly at about 8 minutes apart. I didn’t have any other clear-cut signs of labor such as my water breaking, and the contractions were not super uncomfortable yet, but I was fairly confident I was in early labor. I called my husband to come home early.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I had a lot of fear that I would get to transition and not be able to take the pain anymore and it would be too late for me to be medicated. I was also afraid of tearing and feeling that. Luckily, neither of those things happened. I was able to train my mind to get out of the way. I studied up on some hypnobirthing techniques and used yoga breathing and the support of my Doula. I was extremely proud of myself that I never asked for medication. I’m not sure that would’ve happened without my Doula! I kept coming back to something I had read that said that if you were in a coma and ready to deliver your baby, your body could do it on its own. That really solidified the to me that labor is entirely mental – you just have to get out of your own way.

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

1) I hired a doula, who hugely helped my confidence in my ability to go natural; and 2) I listened to hours of women telling their birth stories on podcasts. The Birth Hour was my favorite. Hearing all of these birth stories really help me realize that there is a vast spectrum “normal” when it comes to what happens in labor. It also helped me to recognize the early signs of labor and inspired me by making me feel less alone. I would listen to an episode every day on the day to work.

What surprised you about your birth?

The biggest two surprises were that I was able to labor at home as long as I was, and how quickly everything went once I got to the hospital. I had no way of knowing how far along I was at home, especially as a first-time mom, but I wanted to labor at home as long as possible. I was afraid of being turned away or being put on the hospital’s “clock” if I wasn’t progressing quickly enough. A certain point things started to feel pretty serious and I was praying I wasn’t at two or three. When we got to the hospital I was almost at six centimeters. What a relief! I knew I was nearly at transition and that gave me a huge boost of confidence. Things moved really quickly from there. I was admitted at midnight and was holding my baby by 3:44 AM. I only pushed for 15 minutes or so, which I was not expecting!

The Mama Natural Birth Course and pregnancy guide were both instrumental in bringing me from clueless new mama to birthing junkie. I had a great idea of what to expect from both of these resources and they inspired me to want to go natural.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Moving around, getting in all fours, vocalizing, deep breathing, and cold washcloths during transition (I think this single-handedly kept me from throwing up).

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

Life changing. Amazing and surreal.

What did you name your baby, and why?

We named our baby Dylan James Hardy. My husband is a musician and we loved the nod to Bob Dylan and James Taylor, two of our favorite artists. My husband actually suggested the name on the way home from our first ultrasound, and I fell in love with it! I love that he named our son.

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

TheMama Natural Birth Course and pregnancy guide were both instrumental in bringing me from clueless new mama to birthing junkie. I had a great idea of what to expect from both of these resources and they inspired me to want to go natural.