Studying Hypnobaby Techniques Helped Kandace Achieve Her Birth Center Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was four days pass my estimated due date and my husband and I were doing almost everything possible in hopes of starting labor. I decided to roll my hips on my birthing ball after we finished trying nipple stimulation. After sitting on the ball for several minutes i got up from the ball and walked into my kitchen and suddenly I felt a gush of liquid. I called my midwife an explained that I thought my water broke but I hadn't been experiencing any contractions. I was instructed to go into the Birth Center because if my water had burst I would need to start antibiotics due to being Group Strep positive. Fast forward to later that evening I still hadn't had any contractions so my midwife instructed me to take castor oil, from then on I was in active labor. My contractions started approx 11 pm and I delivered 2:04 am.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Transition was most difficult for me. I had never experienced that kind of pain in my life. Luckily that period went very quickly. One minute I was 7 cm dilated and no more than 15 mins. later I was pushing. My contractions were back to back with maybe 30 seconds of rest between. I felt everything going natural but I believe it made my labor shorter. Everything progressed so fast I ended up giving birth on the bathroom floor.

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

I studied the hypnobabies techniques, which helped me stay calm and not tense up.

What surprised you about your birth?

I was most surprised that I was able to accomplish my goal of going natural and that I needed very little instruction.

It is the way to go. If you and the baby are healthy with no complications then I say go for it. This is what we as women are made to do. Whenever I had second thoughts or someone told me I was crazy I just thought about the billions of women who have gone natural before me and it gave me strength.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Breathing, moaning, rolling hips on birthing ball, sitting on the toilet backwards while being massaged.

What position did you end up delivering in?

On hands and knees (no stiches needed)

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

Amazed that I made this beautiful little person and relieved it was over.

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

It is the way to go. If you and the baby are healthy with no complications then I say go for it. This is what we as women are made to do. Whenever I had second thoughts or someone told me I was crazy I just thought about the billions of women who have gone natural before me and it gave me strength. Also I would say if you can avoid the hospital to avoid having the option for an epidural.