The Birth Pool And A Cool Rag Helped Melissa Achieve Her Home Water Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I woke with great energy for the day. Started gentle contractions early afternoon.I got a massage and had a chiropractor apt. The gentle spaced contractions continued into the afternoon as I had a play date with a good friend and her daughter. I went to dinner with my mom where I continued to have contractions that started needing my attention as I needed to stand during them while eating. Those contractions were nothing new as I had experienced prodromal labor for over two weeks at that point. When we got home I tried everything to get the contractions to go away like they did with previous practice rounds and nothing was working. I finally decided to take a swim in the neighbors pool and thought "this might be it" as the waves only got stronger and closer together even in the pool. I texted my doula Jen who instructed my husband to fill up the birth tub while she headed over. My heart sank as they spaced after she got here. But sure enough they picked back up with force after a short time.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The weeks of prodromal labor. Nearly daily I would experience what I referred to as a practice round where gentle contractions would start then build in intensity and duration. Then at a certain point, usually when i thought for sure it was time they would space then completely fade. It was emotionally and physically exhausting. When I would get frustrated I would tell myself that it was my bodies way of preparing for birth. My doula Jen also reminded me that my baby and body were smart and that it was serving a purpose.

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

Well the positive side of prodromal labor was that I had lots of practice surrendering to the pain and allowing my body to do what it needed to do.

What surprised you about your birth?

How quickly it went! It was surreal. I had prepared for a marathon labor as my first labor was 92 hrs. I sent my mom, the birth photographer and my husband to bed to get some rest fully expecting a long labor. I turned on my favorite show Handmaids Tale and my doula Jen and I watched it for several hours before the contractions required complete attention and the midwives were called in. I was also surprised at how satisfying the pushing stage was!! I completely let my body take over and let it do the work. I was really surprised at how vocal I was during pushing!! I had watched all these water birth where the mom would gracefully push, yeah, not me! I made these deep primal guttural sounds that could not be stopped even if I wanted to. Oh and a few F bombs near the end.

You can do it! Trust your body, your baby and your birth team! Remember that your only job is to try and relax while your body and baby does the work. It really is much less painful and more effective to surrender to the pain.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

The birth pool!! I have the fondest memory of my doula Jen and I watching our show while I labored in the birth tub. It was very relaxing and distracting. During transition having a cold rag placed on the back of my neck at the peak of the contraction really helped manage the intensity of it. I used my motto nearly every contraction ... " surrender to the pain, let my body do the work". I also really like when my husband and doula put counter pressure on my hips during contractions.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Our Midwife Jessica decided to check me and to my surprise I was 9 cm with a bulging bag. She gave me the option to break my water and I agreed with the understanding that I was getting back into the birth pool immediately after. I just remember getting off the bed immediately after she broke my water and running like I was on fire to the birth pool that was set up in the den. ( Ok let's be honest, it was likely the slowest most awkward waddle ever) I remember someone laughing and saying " well alrighty then". I got in the pool and started to feel the urge to push shorty after. I bought a handle bar accessory for the birth pool and used that to pull on while pushing on my knees.

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

The next thing I know they are telling me to reach down and catch my baby and I did and brought him to my chest. That moment was and is completely indescribable with words! It was so surreal! Love, and joy and relief were all flooding my body. Getting emotional just typing this.

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

You can do it! Trust your body, your baby and your birth team! Remember that your only job is to try and relax while your body and baby does the work. It really is much less painful and more effective to surrender to the pain. Hire a doula! Consider buys a handle strap for your birth pool to pull on while pushing. Make sure your birth team is supportive of your plan and be prepared to be flexible if the situation demands it. You can do this momma!