Reading Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery Helped Laura During Her Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

A contraction woke me up about 4:30. My husband's alarm was set for 5:30 and during that hour I had several more contractions intense enough that when he woke up I told him the baby was on the way. My midwife had about an hour drive so I called and asked her to come when she could.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

For me, it is the before birth mental challenge of not knowing how things will work out, but knowing that I am choosing to deliver my baby at home. We pray and choose to trust that God has everything in His control.

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

So many things! Read Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery. Take quality vitamins, including Vit C and E every day. Stay active and walk. I had borderline high blood sugar, so was eating less sugar and white carbs than I ever have and really believe that made a positive difference as well. The last six weeks, I took Gentle Birth formula and Evening Primrose Oil and ate dates several times a week.

What surprised you about your birth?

This was my seventh birth and my easiest. While my husband fed the children breakfast and got them ready to leave for school/sitter, I stayed in the bedroom laying out the home birth supplies and spending time in the bathroom. Contractions were intense but I told myself that it was pressure, not pain and my body was opening up and doing just what it needed to do. I would focus on a large flower on our shower curtain, open my mouth loosely and say, "I'm going to get that big." And smile! I was able to send my children away at 7:30 with a smile and hug and about 15 minutes later, when my midwife did a vaginal check, I was dilated to 8. I was so thrilled! Our little girl was born one hour later, so my total labor from the first contraction was about 4 1/2 hours. I felt SO blessed.

There is nothing that compares with the ecstasy of holding your newborn - such an upwelling of love and protection towards this innocent baby.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Positive mind talk and telling myself that it's just pressure and not pain. Other labors I would often lay down and just relax, but this labor it felt better to be upright. During contractions, I leaned on the bed or bathroom counter, swaying my hips in a circle. The last hour I was on hands and knees in the bathtub with the hot shower on my lower back.

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

There is nothing that compares with the ecstasy of holding your newborn - such an upwelling of love and protection towards this innocent baby.

What did you name your baby, and why?

Mariah, meaning "the Lord is my teacher" and also "beloved ". That is our desire for her, and we think it's a beautiful name.

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

Eat a whole foods diet, take quality vitamins, go off sugar and white carbs by 36 weeks.
Believe that your body is created to birth a child and do what you can during labor to consciously relax your whole body, especially mouth and hands. Surrender to the waves, allowing them to open your cervix.
Smile during labor; your baby is on the way!