Mama Natural Birth Course Helped Sara During Her Home Birth

Video Interview With Sara

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I woke up at about 5:00 am to my underwear being wet. My first thought was that it was a medication I was taking that my midwife gave to me to help with the strep B and any bad bacteria down there. She said the medication would make me be a little wet down there so I thought nothing of it until I went to go lay down to go back to sleep. I couldn't go back to sleep. I started having some surges. I like to call contractions surges. It sounds better. At first, I thought they were just aches and pains or something like that, but they start again a little stronger and I couldn't sleep. I just rested so I got up a little bit before 6:00 a.m. and called my doula to tell her that I thought I was in labor.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Having to labor on my own 95% of it, not by choice. My husband had to take care of our other kids. And my doula lived an hour away and my midwife was half an hour away. My labor was so fast that got there towards the end. With this birth, I would say mostly laboring on my own was hard, along with having shorter labor than all my others. Before the birth I had a hard time not being anxious about the birth and the pregnancy. I had to practice positive thoughts towards both a lot to keep a positive attitude.

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

I signed up for the Mama Natural Birth Course. I got the mama natural positive affirmations cards and read them often to keep a positive attitude about pregnancy and birth. I also watched the classes provided to me and watched birth stories. I love to watch positive birth stories! I also did prenatal yoga which helped me be more flexible. I also practiced my breathing for labor thinking positive affirmations such as, "my body is made to do this, I can do this, my body is made to do this. Heavenly Father made my body so it can give birth naturally." Words have powerful meaning weather it is said out loud or in your mind.

Taking that mama natural birth course with my husband and being informed about certain interventions. My labor was so fast that my midwife showed up 30 seconds before my baby was born! I could feel him coming so I said that out loud to my doula and she asked me" do you want me to call 911? the midwife is 15 minutes away." I told her no because my thought process was if she is 15 minutes away and I have him before she gets here she will be here soon enough that I felt like it wasn't nessisary.

What surprised you about your birth?

It was a surprise being short labor since all my other ones were natural and long. kept getting longer the more I had. I had so much energy, I was so alert and not tired at all. I felt like I could go running or something with energy if I could do anything. I think it was because I was calm and confident and dealt with my surges pretty well. Having energy after having a baby is just so outstanding. I was able to stay awake and be more aware of things that were happening after birth and be more aware of the baby along with my other kids. I felt like I could enjoy it more and instead of feeling exhausted. The total time of the labor was three hours from start to finish. I wasn't able to have the water birth and there were so many other things that I wanted and prepared for to have him, but they didn't happen. I was fine that I didn't have a water birth or the other things that I prepared for. I had energy and all this love. I felt like a champion going through three hours of intense labor, most of the time practically doing it almost by myself. It was the way it needed to be in the end and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have positive feelings surrounding my birth experience even though it didn't turn out the way I thought. Also had an amazing team helping me and supporting me through what I wanted and needed.

Knowing what is going on in my body helped me stay calm knowing that everything was going the way it should. The positive affirmations really helped the most. Words have power whether it is said out loud or in our thoughts.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Breathing through the surges and the positive affirmations and thoughts I told myself my body is made to do this, I can do this, my body is made to do this." Also paying attention to what my body was telling me.

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

As I held him for the first time, my heart filled with love as I told him I love him and kissed him! We have a song that I heard when pregnant that I could relate to about this pregnancy. The words of the song came to my head after I said I love you and kissed him. The words were I get to love you, it is the best thing that I get to do. The bond between a mother and her son is powerful!

What did you name your baby, and why?

Tyler Anthony. I liked the name Tyler and the nickname Ty. Anthony is a family name. And both sound good together.

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

Take the mama natural birth course with your spouse and read the positive affirmation cards that come with it. Being informed is helpful especially if you come across a situation where an intervention may be needed. You will know what is best for you through the knowledge of the classes and creating positive thoughts around pregnancy and birth will help you achieve a great birth experience. For me, I had so much energy after he was born that lasted until that night! Even though it wasn't easy and I had to keep focus, I had energy and you will too!