Participating In Childbirth Preparation Classes Helped Jessica Achieve Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I started very early labor around 8 AM on Thursday, April 5th... but I didn't know that's what it was. I had been constipated for a few days and thought the discomfort I was feeling was from that, so I texted my midwife, Joanna, to ask for constipation remedies. By late morning or early afternoon, I decided I was probably having contractions. They were pretty low in my belly, and I thought I had heard that was characteristic of Braxton Hicks (I never actually had those). I texted a friend who told me that's how her contractions started, so I decided to start timing them. I emailed Dan at 2:11 PM to tell him that I was pretty sure I was having contractions, and that I had timed them at 13 minutes apart. I told him that he should plan on finishing the work day since we clearly had a while.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing about going natural was experiencing each intense contraction, and each intense push, in its full intensity.

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

The most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was participating in childbirth preparation classes. Those classes helped me to trust my husband in a deeper way and helped us learn to function as a team during labor. They also taught both of us what to expect in labor and birth and helped us to understand what was happening. I also found the myriad blogs and birth stories I read and I listened to podcasts and itas extremely helpful.

What surprised you about your birth?

I did not expect to labor at the intensity I did and for as long as I did. I also did not expect to scream as much as I did! I was also surprised by the feelings of fear that surfaced. I thought I had processed everything there was to process regarding fear. However, my doula pointed out that, once I had my baby on my chest, I said "I can't believe I just birthed a live baby," and she suggested that perhaps some of the fear I was experiencing was coming from my 20 week stillbirth 11 years ago. I didn't expect that to surface during this birth, because I thought I had worked through that experience.

Go into the experience with your hands open to it unfolding however it's supposed to

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Sitting on a birth ball (exercise ball), being in the water, and lying on my side in bed were the three things that most helped me with pain relief. Also, physical touch--from my husband and from my doula--helped tremendously in releasing tension and working through each contraction.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I delivered the baby's head in a runner's pose (after squatting for a long time), and I delivered her body lying on my back with my legs in the air.

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

I felt overwhelmed and relieved and in awe!

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

Go into the experience with your hands open to it unfolding however it's supposed to. Be flexible in your expectations, and make sure you have care providers and birth partners you trust 100%.