Priscilla's Natural Birth Center Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I had been feeling contractions since Friday but was awoken on Sunday at 1am with painful contractions, that's when I knew I was in active labor

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing was not knowing when it would be over, my labor lasted 25 hours, which I would relive all over again, but at the moment, and being a new mom, I was scared that something was wrong, even though the midwives were not worried that there was

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

I read countless books, articles and birth stories, I saw documentaries and practiced hypnobirthing, but in reality, nothing can really prepare you for childbirth

What surprised you about your birth?

Even though I had read a lot about birth, I was still surprised on how my body did what it needed to birth my beautiful baby girl, I was surprised on how alert and aware of her surroundings my baby was and how fast I recovered. It was a beautiful experience.

I think that if you have had a healthy pregnancy and it is safe to deliver naturaly, it is the best way to go. Not only is it best for so many reasons for mommy and baby, but you will never feel as empowered as you do after you have gone through the up's and down's of labor and have your baby in your arms at the end of it

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Being in the tub with warm water helped a lot with pain.

What position did you end up delivering in?

My water never broke and I had been fully dilated and pushing for hours and she was still not born, so my midwife decided the best thing was to break my water. I got out of the tub and the assistant started to clean the tub but there was no time for her to fill it back up, I squatted down, held on to my husband's arms and about 4 pushes later had my baby in my arms

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

I don't think I can quite describe what I felt when I held my baby for the first time. It was an overwhelming feeling of love, I felt as though it didn't fit in my body and was just coming out through my skin. I was so grateful to have this little angel in my arms.

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

I think that if you have had a healthy pregnancy and it is safe to deliver naturaly, it is the best way to go. Not only is it best for so many reasons for mommy and baby, but you will never feel as empowered as you do after you have gone through the up's and down's of labor and have your baby in your arms at the end of it.