Stayed Active Really Helped Valery's Stamina During Her Car Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was began having my cramps as I was making breakfast...I sat down to eat and my apetite just went away and I couldn't finish eating...that's when I realized I was on labor.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

After she started descending, i began having a lot of back pain and realized she was posterior. I was familiar with the back labor since my other daughter was born posterior. Thankfully this time I had my home birth advocate friend tell me just what to do. I got on all fours on my bed and stuck my butt out in the air. After several contractions, I felt her turn. It was a really cool sensation.

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

I worked as a server until I was 36 weeks pregnant. I feel like having stayed active really helped my stamina. I also followed a lot of pregnamcy and childbirth instagram accounts, read the book Spiritual Midwifery, and hired a doula. I labored at home and when I reached the point where I thought I couldn't take the strength of the rushes, I remembered a reading birth affirmations I had seen on instagram and told myself "I am my contractions, my contractions are me", over and over until I shifted my mentality and got over the hump of doubt. My doula guided my breathing through every contraction and mare them bearable.

What surprised you about your birth?

It was so quick! I was in labor for about 6 hours compared to my first labor, which lasted 21 hours. I had my baby in the car since we delayed leaving to the birthing center. I was in transition before we had even made it to the car to leave and I could feel her head crowning as I held my kitchen counter. I was doing my best to keep her in by breathing like I was blowing a candle. But right before we arrived, my body just started to push on its own. My midwife and doula were waiting for us outside and quickly came to my rescue. After a contraction, they thought I would have time to make it inside. Baby had no time to wait though, so on the next contraction, I gave a big push and out she came, head and body. It was exhilarating. I thought for sure I would tear her coming out was completely painless.

Hire a doula, get in some water during labor, and go to a birthing center. But most importantly, BREATHE!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Breathing, laboring in the tub in hot water, and swating my hips during contractions.

What position did you end up delivering in?

All fours.

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

Unbelievable. And absolutely amazing.

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

Hire a doula, get in some water during labor, and go to a birthing center. But most importantly, BREATHE!