Kristin Preferred Birthing in a Seated Position

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was not even 38 weeks pregnant so I invited friends over for Saturday dinner with our family. Ten minutes after they arrived, I felt an odd pinch and realized my water had broken! Needless to say, our plans for the evening changed. We did end up sharing the meal together since we all need eat, but then they went back home and I started preparing for the hospital!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

My labor was long and slow and manageable, but the pushing stage was overwhelming. It lasted less than 5 minutes but was so intense it scared me.

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

I read books and websites, listened to podcasts, and found birth stories of all kinds. Information was priceless because it helped me gather what I did and did not want during labor.

What surprised you about your birth?

Though there were 25 hours between my water breaking and delivering my little girl, I tell people my labor was easy. I had no interventions, no medications, no IV...it all progressed naturally and slowly and resulted in a pleasant, quiet labor.

Know that you CAN do it. Some contractions will be hard, but many more of them will be encouraging as you realize you have the strength to weather them.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I'm a huge believer in breathing deeply during contractions and relaxing every muscle in the body. I keep my eyes closed and focus my mind on the work each contraction is accomplishing instead of fighting the pain. Warm water is also wonderful. During this labor, I got in the tub too early, but it was too relaxing and stalled my labor. I got in again much later and progressed the last 1-2 centimeters quickly.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I've delivered all of my children in a slightly seated, leaning back position. That's typically not a good delivery position since it works against gravity, but since my pushing stage tends to go super fast in all my labors (2-3 pushes and the baby is out!), the position gives me stability.

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

Overwhelming. After laboring through an entire day, it felt like she may no come at all. Within an hour, I had progressed the last 2 centimeters and delivered my baby and I reacted emotionally.

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

Know that you CAN do it. Some contractions will be hard, but many more of them will be encouraging as you realize you have the strength to weather them.