Staying Active And Listening To Pregnancy Guided Meditations Helped Caylin During Her Birth Center Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I realized I was in labor when I leaned forward while sitting and felt a big POP. There was no gush of fluid, but I started leaking then got a very strong contraction that felt nothing like the Braxton Hicks I had been getting.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing about going natural was just not giving up. My baby was almost 10 pounds and I had a 12 hour labor. I was expecting a much smaller baby and a longer labor since I'm a first time mom. I dilated very fast so my contractions started out very intense and close together. It wasn't what I was expecting at all but my husband and my doula helped to encourage me when I felt I had NOTHING left in me. Pushing was relief for me. It was riding through those intense waves--staying focused and not panicking/screaming my head off that was the true challenge.

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

The most helpful thing I did to help me prepare for childbirth was staying active but also listening to pregnancy guided meditations. They have many videos on YouTube that you can listen to, sort of like Hypnobirthing, to connect you to your baby and erase any subconscious negative feelings you may have about birth. It really helped me feel close to and connected to my baby during childbirth. It helped me to trust my body and my baby no matter how hard the work was

What surprised you about your birth?

What surprised me the most about my birth was how short my labor was!!!! My mother had a 36 hour labor and many stories I hear from first time mothers in my area are of long labors so I was not expecting my contractions to start off SO strong even in early labor

For other women that want to go natural I would highly suggest staying active, eating a good diet and taking organic prenatals, but my biggest pointer is to make sure that baby is positioned correctly.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

A cold towel on the back of my neck helped while I was in the birthing pool. My doula fed me little pieces of fruit or gave me a sip of water in between contractions to keep me strong and focused which helped a whole lot. The water in the birthing pool being so warm really helped calm me down and ease the pain even though I didn't deliver in the pool.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I ended up delivering on the bed, I was sitting on my behind but leaning back with my husband behind me, supporting me. I would say I was propped up at about a 45 degree angle. while pushing I would pull my knees up, which helped but my baby was positioned sunny side up and then started turning this way and that, she couldn't figure out which way she wanted to enter the world. It took me 3 hours to push.

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

Towards the end of pushing I really started to lose energy. I felt so defeated and like I couldn't do it but then I reached and felt her head so close to emerging so I kept pushing with all of me. When she was placed on my chest, slippery and whimpering, the joy that filled me was too much for tears. I couldn't cry I was just in awe of how precious my baby was.

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

For other women that want to go natural I would highly suggest staying active, eating a good diet and taking organic prenatals, but my biggest pointer is to make sure that baby is positioned correctly. I should've done more hands and knees and other positions that encourage baby to be in proper position because my midwife told me my labor would've been a whole lot less painful and even shorter if she was positioned right.