Taking Time Each Day and Preparing Mentally Helped Dusty During Her Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I realized at about 8pm.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Staying focused.

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

Taking time each day and preparing mentally. I did this by envisioning my birth. Each day I envisioned it slightly different. I worked through how I may handle each situation in a calm manner.

What surprised you about your birth?

I was surprised that I felt I could move and change position often during labor. I swayed, danced, and meditated.

The strength and power I felt from this birthing experience is still with me two weeks later and I am certain will stay with me. I don't feel power over anything or anyone, yet I feel powerful and strong.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I breathed through each contraction repeating these words "I surrender to each birthing wave as it washes over me. " during each contraction I would repeat it about 5 or 6 times. I tried to say it slowly. I was saying it in my head. At the 3rd time I'd wiggle my toes, fourth time I'd wiggle my fingers and the last times I concentrated on loosing my belly. I noticed I was tending my abs during contractions. I told my husband, who would touch my belly and remind me to relax my abs.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I was in my bathtub, mostly squatted and eventually leaned back a bit for my husband to support the baby as he came out.

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

This feeling is like no other. It's hard to put into words. The rush of multiple emotions at once is really amazing. Within a couple minutes I felt fantastic, accomplished, elated, overwhelming happiness, tearful as my pregnancy ended and a new journey was beginning. Excited to begin the new journey. Scared about the placenta and afterbirth bleeding. I felt warmth and comfort. I felt unbelievably close to my husband both spiritually and physically. I felt enlightened. I felt empowered. The strength and power I felt from this birthing experience is still with me two weeks later and I am certain will stay with me. I don't feel power over anything or anyone, yet I feel powerful and strong.

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

My advice is read everything you can on natural birth. As you read it, open your mind. Society has placed a vision on birth and it is shown to us from a young age. This vision is not how your birth has to be. You are in control and if you open your mind to having a beautiful birth, you can. It takes work for natural birth. Of course during labor is work. There is also work before labor. Mentally prepare yourself for this. I like to compare labor to running a marathon. People who run marathons train for several months before they run. They change their diets, rest, increase water, stretch, run, and mentally prepare to go the distance. For labor preparing is similar, your diet changes, water increases, you stretch, walk, and mentally prepare to do it. The other advice I have is "life lines" like on who wants to be a millionaire. I prepare my life lines. My first one is me. I labor myself before letting anyone know. After I feel I can't handle go at it alone anymore, I take 2 more contractions alone and call upon a life line. I do this method with each life line. My life line include, myself, a peanut ball, my husband, water shower or bath) and my last life line being the hospital. I recommend you choose your life lines and use them as you feel the need. Remember to give yourself 2 more contractions before moving to the next lifeline.