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Video Interview With Brianna
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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When did I realize I was in labor? Well honestly, that’s a bit complicated, sort of… my water broke when I was taking a nap on the couch, but I wasn’t convinced that my water had broken. I honestly thought I had peed myself but I called my doula, and she told me to sit with a pad and if I was continuing to leak, it was probably my water breaking. She advised me to take a shower, eat something and head to the hospital. My water broke at 5 PM and I didn’t start feeling my first contraction until around 8 PM.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural for me was honestly the pushing I was so exhausted. After laboring for 16 hours, and being up all night long, I wasn’t sure I have the energy to push. But somehow you find it and you. The ring of fire is real. I literally felt like I was being ripped in two, but the feeling didn’t last long and any pain I had felt during the pushing process or labor completely went away the moment my son was born and placed on my chest.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I don’t remember where, but I listened to one birthing podcast where they talked a lot about not fighting the pain and really embracing each contraction. I don’t know how exactly to describe it, but I really tried to lean into each contraction and envision my cervix opening. “Opening like a flower blooms” was what kept being repeated in my head over and over and over again every time I felt a contraction.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at the amount of pressure you feel in labor (and you really do feel like you need to poop). I was surprised at how quickly the pain faded away once my son was here. I also didn’t expect to want to be left alone so much but really I just wanted a dark quiet room to just vibe in during labor.
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The only advice I would give to other mamas who want to go natural is to not be afraid of the pain. It doesn’t last forever. And it will all be worth it in the end. And make sure you have a good support system, that will keep you grounded!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I used a tens machine specifically for pregnant women that my Dula had given me. I honestly did not feel like walking around as much as a lot of people do during labor I did a lot of rocking back and forth using my tens machine for the contractions. My Doula was a really really wonderful support person. She reminded me to use the peanut ball and the squat bar. And just mentally helped me be in a good space.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
When I held my son for the first time, I felt complete bewilderment. There are truly no words that can describe it all the pain. I have felt completely washed away, and I was just holding this tiny human looking around the room like somebody tell me if this is real. All I wanted to do was hold him and stare at him. I’ve never stared at a person so much in my life.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
We didn’t choose our babe's name until we met him, and to us, it was a name we liked and we thought it fit him. So we named him Aven.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
The only advice I would give to other mamas who want to go natural is to not be afraid of the pain. It doesn’t last forever. And it will all be worth it in the end. And make sure you have a good support system, who will keep you grounded!
