Reading and Taking Classes Online Helped Katie During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

Late Monday night- "Braxton Hicks" or early contractions became stronger and I couldn't sleep well through them

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Making sure we labored at home long enough

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

READ AND take like 8 million classes online. ;) but really got insight from a few natural points of view and read allll about optimal fetal positioning from spinning babies.com and did what I could from their site. And practiced relaxing.

What surprised you about your birth?

I kept waiting for it to get harder and it never did! Relaxation is key and focus is a biggie.

Read and get your body in tune so ligaments aren't pulling certain ways to cause a malposition baby and a longer than needed birth. Anatomy is key. And relax for all you have through those contractions- practice before. And Mama Natural's birth affirmations (secular) really reallly do help!!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Relax even more than I thought I could during contractions and imagining being pulled up a mountain on a tow rope or being pulled behind a boat water skiing during contractions. And imagining all my body was doing for me- opening the door to get that baby in my arms.

What position did you end up delivering in?

On my hands and knees in the bed- helped baby rotate out and the bag of water was intact right until he was almost out so it took pressure off from that in my back

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

Just simply warm and cozy and what a blessing!

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

Read and get your body in tune so ligaments aren't pulling certain ways to cause a malposition baby and a longer than needed birth. Anatomy is key. And relax for all you have through those contractions- practice before. And Mama Natural's birth affirmations (secular) really reallly do help!!