Preparing Physically, Doula, Birthing Ball And Red Raspberry Leaf Tea Helped Michelle During Her Natural Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I knew it was coming all day but I waited until I picked up my daughter from school and make dinner until I started taking the labor seriously.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I wasn’t planning on not having an epidural and was being forced to get antibiotics for Strep B positive, so I had more fear of what to expect than actual pain. I delivered in the hallway of the hospital due to traffic and delivered without any IV, pitocin, epidural or antibiotics.

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

I wasn’t mentally prepared for natural labor but I was physically prepared. I used a doula and was on my birthing ball hours a day. I drank red raspberry leaf tea and any other tinctures to get the uterus prepared.

What surprised you about your birth?

That I was able to move around perfectly within minutes of my natural labor. In the past the epidural left me temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. This time around I felt fine to get up and visit my baby at the warming table.

Trust that your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Breathing and essential oils

What position did you end up delivering in?

In a wheelchair in the hallway of the hospital - not ideal birthing position

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

I got to watch as the baby came out and immediately held her. I finally realized how worth it all the fear and pain had been.

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

Trust that your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to!