Listening to Mama Natural's Birth Affirmations Helped Patricia During Her Birth Center Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

It took about three hours after my water broke to realize that I was in active labor with contractions happening every 3 minutes. This was quite a surprise since the birth of my first child took over 24 hours. We were hoping things would go faster for a second child, but didn't think we wouldn't have to go through a long transition period before pushing baby out! Luckily, we made it to the birth center and my midwife then told me I was dilated at 8 cm! Our daughter was born 4 hours later!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Believing in myself. Trusting God and the body he gave me. Keeping my focus on working with the pain rather than complaining. Letting other people encourage me to divert my attention from the negative thoughts that were creeping in.

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

Listening to Mama Natural's birth affirmations. Those were a great relaxing tool I used to fall asleep at night during the third trimester. It also helped me visualize positively and with joy the upcoming birth experience. I also took some prenatal yoga classes that gave me tools to manage pain and attended a prenatal class on the topic of pain given by a midwife from our birth center.

What surprised you about your birth?

I didn't know I could moan and groan like this! It really was helpful and my midwife was good at leading me into keeping a low key tone of voice in order to keep my throat relax and thus my cervix. Beside my noises, I was surprised at how calm and peaceful the surroundings were at the birth center. It was day and night from our experience at the hospital.

So happy! So contented! Proud of myself for having delivered my baby all naturally. Proud of having gone through all this pain with a more positive attitude than at my first child. Proud of having been able to get the delivery I had hoped for.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Pressure points on my lower back. Chanting. Moving my hips. Warm towel on the lower back.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I took most contractions when I was on all four. After two hours of this, I was tired and was suggested to move on my left side and to lift my right leg to push. That's how I ended up pushing baby out.

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

So happy! So contented! Proud of myself for having delivered my baby all naturally. Proud of having gone through all this pain with a more positive attitude than at my first child. Proud of having been able to get the delivery I had hoped for.

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

Prepare mentally to work with pain and not against it. This is the only pain that we will experience that has a positive outcome. Get some birth affirmations. Take some classes on pain management. Visualize pain, but most importantly, accept that pain is part of the process and that it is useful to allow your baby to a good start in life.