Hypnobirthing, Mama Natural Book And Researching Controlled Pushing Helped Amanda During Her Unexpected Ambulance Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I didn't realize it was really time until I had a very strong contraction that caused a popping feeling and made my contractions start coming back to back. Up to that point, they had only been around 9-10 minutes apart. I almost immediately felt an urge to push and realized we wouldn't make it to the hospital in time. We were a few miles from home when we pulled over to call an ambulance. My water broke while we waited. The ambulance arrived with only minutes to spare. I had just gotten in to the ambulance when I needed to push. I rolled as much to my side as I could and focused on breathing her forward. Just two pushes later and my 7 pound 7 ounce baby girl was born.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

During the days prior, I had been experiencing increasingly painful prodromal labor. I worried that if my labor was long, I would give in to the pain. The contractions I was experiencing were so different from my last natural labor in which I had almost no pain. In the end, she came so fast, I didn't even have a moment to question whether or not I could do this. Not having my midwife with me in the moment was stressful but my baby and body knew just what to do.

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

I reviewed hypnobirthing, read the Mama Natural guide to childbirth, and researched controlled pushing/ fetal ejection reflex to reduce tearing.

What surprised you about your birth?

It was so fast, I nearly gave birth in my car! I never thought I would go from 10-15 minute spaced contractions to baby in less than an hour.

In the end, she came so fast, I didn't even have a moment to question whether or not I could do this. Not having my midwife with me in the moment was stressful but my baby and body knew just what to do.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

During the contractions, I stood and leaned on furniture while swaying my hips.

What position did you end up delivering in?

When I was put in the ambulance, I rolled to my side to push.

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

I was in love and started nursing right away. She latched on the whole ride to the hospital. I was still in shock that she had come so fast.

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

Your baby and body know what to do. Make a birth plan, but know anything can happen and you are strong enough to do anything.