Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea Through Out Her Pregnancy Helped Joy During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

After just over a week of practice labor, I woke up at 1am to the feeling that my cervix just suddenly went from 0-60!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

This was pregnancy 3 for me and I had to be induced with the first two due to preeclampsia so not knowing if the practice labor was "the real deal this time" was probably the most challenging for me.

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

Having a doula, reading up on and watching hypnobirthing videos, assuring myself that my body knew what to do, drinking red raspberry leaf tea through out and then during my last month of pregnancy drinking RRL with Partridgeberry and Spikenard herbs as a tea.

What surprised you about your birth?

It went faster than I expected and it was a quicker recovery for me compared to being induced. After 3hrs of labor and 10 minutes of pushing and then me deciding to let my body do the work and experience the fetal ejection reflex, it was over and I thought, well that wasn't so bad.

Don't listen to naysayers or negative talk about birth. Natural birth is empowering. It is you and your body working together to bring life into this world. Educate yourself and mentally prepare. You can do this!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

The hypno-breathing method helped. I found that making less noise while breathing during labor equaled less pain. That may have just been in my head but it worked for me.

What position did you end up delivering in?

On hands and knees! It was the most natural feeling position for me as I waited for the birthing tub to fill.

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

I was so relieved and overcome with love and pride!

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

Don't listen to naysayers or negative talk about birth. Natural birth is empowering. It is you and your body working together to bring life into this world. Educate yourself and mentally prepare. You can do this!