Practicing Deep Breathing Helped Tiffany Get Through Contractions

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I thought I was probably in labor about an hour after the contractions started and hadn't gone away, but so many of my friends had false alarms so I wasn't ready to believe it. I wasn't ready to believe it until my midwife checked me and told me I was at 7 cm!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The hardest part for me was actually before I even started labor; it was the weird looks and snide comments from people who I told I was going to try for a natural birth. At first others made me feel as though I was crazy and I should just give up because it wasn't possible, but then they made me more determined than ever. I am not one to back down from a challenge.

During childbirth the hardest part of going natural was transition because they wouldn't let me get out of bed (they wanted to monitor me for 20 minutes and my transition only lasted less than 15 minutes). It made the intense contractions more challenging to get through, but I never looked back. There was never a part of me that actually wanted to ask for pain management, it was never bad enough. So, it was more challenging to talk to people about wanting a natural birth than it was to actually get through a natural birth.

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

Practicing deep breathing! It helped so much to get through the contractions! Also, reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. Wonderful book! It had so much positivity and really helped me to believe in my body. Lastly, listening to positive birth stories and watching videos of births on YouTube. There are so many negative images and so much fear around birth that it can seem scary, but by surrounding myself with positive stories and images and watching positive birth stories it really eased my fears and helped me trust that I could do it.

What surprised you about your birth?

How fast and relatively easy and not painful it was! Also, how much I worked during pushing. I think if I did it again, I wouldn't work so much during pushing. I was very intentional about not working too hard and tiring myself out, but I did more work than I thought I would and I wish I had let my body do more of the work.

Another thing that surprised me was how uncomfortable my vaginal area and anus were for about a week after birth. It was hard to find a comfortable way to sit and sometimes even to lay down. Even a few weeks later things aren't back to completely normal and get uncomfortable every once in a while.

Don't listen to people who think it's strange or crazy to go natural! We didn't have any other choice just over one hundred years ago.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Deep breathing and moving around. I can't tell you how much deep breathing helped. It helped me stay calm and let my body do what it needed to do. Also, the birthing ball helped a lot.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Sitting/reclining in bed. Probably not the position I would recommend or prefer to use again, but it worked.

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

I know most people say amazing and incredible, but for me it was kind of strange. It felt very surreal. I felt like I was in a daze. I still have a hard time believing that she was inside me and is my baby. It was also a relief that I was (pretty much) done (still had to deliver the placenta and get cleaned up). So, it can be normal not to be overcome with emotion right away.

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

Don't listen to people who think it's strange or crazy to go natural! We didn't have any other choice just over one hundred years ago. Also, the more afraid you are, the more challenging it will be, so face your fears now and banish them. Listen to other positive stories and surround yourself with empowering images, videos, and stories. Read about ways to reduce/eliminate pain during labor and PRACTICE THEM! I am glad I didn't need more than deep breathing and moving around, but it could have been helpful to have more tools in my belt.