Keeping Calm And Staying Positive Helped Tanya During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

This pregnancy was a little different than my last 3. I had more complications and ended up being at risk for Pre- eclampsia. It was almost bedtime when I was sitting down at the dinner table and I told my husband I was feeling "off" so I took my blood pressure and it was high. I was having high blood pressure readings since my last O.B. appointment and he told me if I still had high readings and felt dizzy, to head to the hospital. So I showered, packed up the kids in case I stayed, and off we went. I was still on the last day of my 36 week so I was a little nervous.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

My body was not ready so dilating on my own was pretty challenging and a little slow.. my contractions weren't doing much so I was put on some meds to help me dilate. I had no problems with my previous pregnancies so this was a bummer for me.

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

I kept calm and stayed positive for whatever outcome it was..I was at risk for a c-section if my blood pressure got higher. But just thinking about the fact that I was gonna meet my baby very soon, prepared me for anything ♡

What surprised you about your birth?

Once my water broke, I went from 4cm to 10cm in 15 minutes! I was very surprised and very happy. I was sooo ready to push!

Holding my baby for the first time was magical and very emotional. This is my last child so I embraced that feeling like no other.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Let's face it.. I am not anyone's hero (Lol) I knew I was gonna get the epidural and that is what I got and I made sure I got it on time because my in my previous pregnancy, my little boy came out before the epidural kicked in and basically scared me lol! I felt a lot so this time around I made sure I was nice and numb and comfy so my body can do what it's supposed to :)
But deep breathing through the contractions before the epidural helped a lot!

What position did you end up delivering in?

I delivered laying down on my back. Can't do much with the epi.

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

Holding my baby for the first time was magical and very emotional. This is my last child so I embraced that feeling like no other.

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

I didn't have a pain med free birth so I don't have much of advise but breathing techniques really helped me through my contractions before I got the epidural. And squatting.. ohh.. squatting felt good during a contraction plus it helped me dilate faster. And last but not least, think about that precious little bundle you are about to meet.. that trophy at the end of the race ♡