Reading Books And Listening To Podcasts About Natural Pregnancy And Labor Helped Jenna Achieve Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

My water broke as I was laying down in bed after just being up to the bathroom. I started having regular contractions within about 15 minutes of that happening.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Trusting my body to go into labor on its own, I was 9 days past my due date when I delivered. Once the labor started I was just so grateful my body knew what to do that I just focused on that.

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

I read books and listened to podcasts daily about natural pregnancy and labor topics. This kept me inspired and the more women I heard tell their stories I think really reinforced to me that I could do it too. I also really focused on my own nutrition this pregnancy which helped me feel great throughout.

What surprised you about your birth?

How my body knew exactly what to do if I just listened. I labored most of the time in a birthing pool and if I just let my body get into whatever position it wanted that was best. I also thought I’d have to consciously push as that’s what I did the first time but my body just did that on its own it seemed. I had a short 4-hour labor and easy delivery by just letting go.

Sometimes you have to go outside what is considered “normal” in your area but if you have the support you need, you will succeed! Everything you need to birth naturally is already inside you!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Staying upright and rocking my hips was great at the beginning, then when contractions got more intense, getting into the birthing tub was amazing. It helped ease the pain and let me move so freely which I’m convinced help bring my large baby down in the right position because he was not really engaged in my pelvis until right before I delivered.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I believe I was on my left side and semi-reclined against my husband in the tub.

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

Exhilarating! I was so high from the birth and amazed that he was here!

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

Surround yourself with “people” whether it be your midwife, doula, friends, or books, media, online groups, etc. that believe in natural birth because there are a lot of people who do not and that can really make you doubt yourself. I learned from my first experience that it’s not enough to just want a natural birth and then show up to the hospital and hope you can do it with very little support for natural birthing. And just a side note, I’m a labor and delivery nurse so I thought I knew what to expect! This time around, I picked the environment and providers who could support me in the birth I wanted and that made all the difference. Sometimes you have to go outside what is considered “normal” in your area but if you have the support you need, you will succeed! Everything you need to birth naturally is already inside you!