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Video Interview With Brittany
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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I woke up at 12:45am from contractions so intense that I could not fall back asleep! The contractions were lasting about a minute and happening consistently every 3-4 minutes. I then recognized all the signs of early labor that I had experienced the day before, but in the moment I brushed them off thinking I still had plenty of time! I remember waddling through the grocery store and having to stop every couple minutes to breathe through what felt like bladder cramps. I also felt a lot of tightness in my belly and lost my mucus plug twice the day before!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was pushing for me. I was in active labor for 24 hours and got 1 hour of sleep the night before while I was in early labor. Then I had to push for 3 hours before baby boy was born! So I was absolutely beyond exhausted by the time I felt my body start pushing. It was incredible to feel how my body just knew how and when to push, even though it lasted 3 hours! Once I held that sweet little baby in my arms, the joy and pride I felt in what my body had gone through was just overwhelming.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Educating myself and preparing my mind, body, and spirit for birth. It’s so encouraging and motivating to learn about our bodies and how they are designed to give birth naturally. I also knew I wanted a hospital birth, so I spent a lot of time learning about the interventions that would be offered (the Mama Natural Birth Course was so helpful with this!). Thankfully, because I was educated, prepared, and confident, I was able to give birth in a hospital without medication or intervention! I also spent a lot of time meditating, focusing on breath work, stretching, and moving my body in preparation for birth. I believe preparing my mind and keeping a positive, confident mindset played a huge part in sticking to my birth plan and having a natural hospital birth!
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What surprised you about your birth?
Honestly, I was just so surprised to see what my body is capable of. I was also so surprised to see how I was able to overcome every negative thought that crept into my head throughout my labor and replace it with truth. I know now that I am stronger mentally and physically than I ever thought possible. I am so proud of my birth story and what my body went through to bring my sweet baby boy into the world.
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YOU CAN DO IT. Your body was created to do this. Your body knows what to do. Your baby knows what to do. You are so much stronger mentally and physically than you can even imagine. Giving birth naturally is so worth it. Do what you can to prepare and be confident going into it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Some pain relief strategies that helped me through the labor were focusing on deep calming breaths, rolling around on my yoga ball, and standing in the hot shower. A lot of pain relief was mental for me too, having control over my thoughts. Every time a negative thought crept into my mind, I would say out loud “NO.” I specifically remember towards the end of my labor thinking I couldn’t breathe, and part of me wanted to start panicking. But I put an end to that thought as quickly as I could by just saying “NO” out loud. I did my best to replace these negative thoughts with truth by listening to my Christian Hypnobirthing playlist for the entire 24 hours of labor. All scripture and affirmations with calming music that helped me stay relaxed and trust that God was with me and my son.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
For me, with how exhausted I was, it was just the biggest relief. I held him tightly to my chest and just closed my eyes and smiled as my husband rubbed my arm saying “you did it.” It wasn’t quite the euphoric experience I thought it would be the moment he came out, I think because of how unbelievably exhausted I was. It was more just relief and calm. After about a half hour of just holding him skin to skin, just resting and feeling half awake. I suddenly felt the euphoria, I was instantly wide awake and attentive to him, I was overjoyed holding him in my arms. I gave birth at 12:20am and ended up staying wide awake with him doing skin to skin until about 7:00am when I finally felt tired enough to set him down and take a short nap. I was just in awe of this precious baby boy, I held him all night and just stared at that sweet little face, trying to soak in every moment.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Jameson Charles. This name is so meaningful to our families. My husband and his brother both have the middle name Jameson. My father’s name is Charles, and my husband’s father’s middle name is Charles. So Jameson Charles is named after all the amazing men in his life that he gets to look up to.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
- [ ] YOU CAN DO IT. Your body was created to do this. Your body knows what to do. Your baby knows what to do. You are so much stronger mentally and physically than you can even imagine. Giving birth naturally is so worth it. Do what you can to prepare and be confident going into it!
