Preparing Her Children Helped Samantha During Her Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I awoke early the morning of my due date around 5:30 am noticing contractions and called my husband at work saying "Today might be the day!" :) My Contractions came and went all that morning. I didn't realize that it was "True" Labor Until around 3:00 pm that day when they were really coming on and were consistent. Even So, I didn't think I would be giving birth until much later that day or even into the night.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

This was my Fifth pregnancy/delivery, going all Natural. They Key thing to remind yourself with each coming contraction would be to Relax completely and let your body take care of the rest.. While laboring at home with my fifth, I was happily cleaning my daughter's bedroom, pausing at the side of her bed with each contraction. Relaxing to the best of my ability.

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

I would say the most helpful thing I did to prepare for this particular child birth, was to prepare my children. This was my first time planning a home birth and I originally anted all of my children to be in the house when it happened. We watched non-graphic short clips of mothers welcoming their babies into the world, as well as fallowing updates on how baby is developing, etc. It was important for me to prepare them for if they were indeed home while I was laboring/delivering. Also a great opportunity to teach them about how amazing it is to create and welcome a new life!

What surprised you about your birth?

I was Surprised at how well everything worked that day. I realized I was in "true" labor around 3pm that day, with me water breaking at 4:30. I called me husband and midwife to come over. My husband made it home 15 minutes after my call and was Catching his new baby just about ten minutes from getting home. My three older children ages 9, 7 & 4 were all watching a show on our downstairs computer while my youngest almost 2 yrs, fed me ice chips as she witnessed her new baby sister being born at 5:06 pm. Once checking our newborn to see she was healthy and breathing well, we called our other children up, who had No idea mommy just had the baby, and we all, in amazement, gathered round to welcome their newest baby sister. It was the cutest thing to see my two youngest 2 & 4 yr olds poke and squish the umbilical cord. (So that's what the cord looks like!) My midwife and her assistant arrived about 20-30 minutes after my daughter was born. It was by far my most easy and virtually pain free delivery. A huge blessing.

For the best health for you and your newborn I say try your best to go natural. You will not regret how free and in control you feel while bringing your newborn into the world. Our bodies are amazingly designed for this very purpose, all you have to do is Relax and send breath to your baby until they're out and can breath their own :) This is what your were designed for, you got this!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Kneeling at my bedside and relaxing to the best of my ability.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I began in a squat for the first push, once her head starting crowning I moved to all fours.

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

Amazing of course, though I wasn't in a huge rush. My husband had caught my daughter and had also chosen her name, so after I had delivered her into his arms I looked lovingly at the two of them sharing this most memorable moment..

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

For the best health for you and your newborn I say try your best to go natural. You will not regret how free and in control you feel while bringing your newborn into the world. Our bodies are amazingly designed for this very purpose, all you have to do is Relax and send breath to your baby until they're out and can breath their own :) This is what your were designed for, you got this!