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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was Christmas morning and I was sleeping peacefully in bed when my water suddenly broke with a huge gush! I quietly said to my sleeping husband, "my water just broke," and he burst out of bed and started pacing the room asking, "okay, what do I do?" I was really calm as my prenatal classes had prepared me for this exact moment. As my husband ran around the house waking up our visiting guests (my mom, brother, and sister-in-law), I called the birth center and let the midwife on duty know that my water broke, but I was not having any contractions. She told me to enjoy my Christmas morning at home and to call back at noon. I had breakfast with my family and we opened presents as I had a few sporadic mild contractions here and there. I checked in with the midwife throughout the day and continued to enjoy a peaceful day at home. I walked around the neighborhood with my mom, took a nap, and even helped with cooking Christmas dinner. After dinner, my contractions started to pick up, and everyone was looking at me like a ticking time bomb, so I went upstairs to relax with just my husband. By 10:30 pm my contractions were lasting a minute and coming every 5 minutes. It was time to head to the birth center! When we arrived, I was checked out by the midwife and was excited to learn I was 7 cm dilated.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me the most difficult time was the night after giving birth. I gave birth at the birth center at 4 am and was home by 11 am. I took a nap, but was still exhausted. My baby, Owen, slept during the day and then woke up at night and began crying for what seemed like hours. I couldn't believe how painful breastfeeding was and my husband and I did not know what to do. I didn't think I would be using formula, but my husband went out to get formula at 2 am and Owen finally was content after having a bottle. I loved having a natural birth and using midwives at a birth center, but It would have been nice to have more time to recover after birth and to have a nurse to help us during that first night. It was overwhelming.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I took prenatal classes at the birth center prior to giving birth. Each class focused on a different topic and provided a great foundation for what to expect in labor, delivery, and beyond. I read natural birth stories on the Mama Natural website and in Ina May Gaskin's books. I remained positive throughout my pregnancy, even though my husband was deployed, and focused on exercising and eating healthy foods which would nourish my baby. Prior to labor, I created a playlist with uplifting Christian music that carried me through my toughest contractions. My husband packed plenty of snacks and gatorades which kept me energized throughout my labor. I worked out throughout my entire pregnancy and I felt strong and powerful during my labor and delivery.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how calm and serene labor can be! When my husband and I arrived at the birth center on Christmas night, we were the only people there, along with our midwife and nurse. I played Christian music and bounced on an exercise ball before getting in the whirlpool birthing tub with my husband. I shut my eyes and and let the music, the soothing water, and my breathing carry me through my contractions. Once transition came, I threw up twice and felt too hot in the tub, so I moved to the bed where I had my son in my arms after pushing through three contractions. The environment allowed me to stay calm and let my body do what is was made to do.
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Incredible! He was so perfect and it was so wonderful to finally meet the little person who had been kicking me so much!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Bouncing on an exercise ball, being in the whirlpool tub, deep breathing, being able to eat and drink freely, squeezing my husband's hand, keeping the lights dim, listening to uplifting music, and repeating positive birth mantras in my head.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back, slightly sitting up.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible! He was so perfect and it was so wonderful to finally meet the little person who had been kicking me so much! After checking me and the baby out, the midwife and nurse allowed my husband and I to have alone time with our baby. We turned the lights off and just rested in bed as a new family of three.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Read natural birth stories prior to giving birth and find a community of women who are like-minded. Be prepared for naysayers who will bombard you with horror stories and question your birthing decision. Stay confident in the fact that only YOU can make the best birthing decision for yourself and your baby. Create a playlist with encouraging music and use hydrotherapy as pain relief!
