Taking a Class Taught By A Doula Helped Ashleigh During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

Unfortunately, I didn't go into labor naturally. After waking up to leaking fluid, I went into my OB office for them to find that instead of my water breaking, I had a high leak in my fluid sack, causing baby to be susceptible to infection. At 39 weeks and 5 days, they wanted me to immediately report to labor and delivery to be induced. Being induced was no where in my birth plan and emotionally was very difficult to accept---to the point that my husband and I walked the halls in the hospital for a couple hours just hoping it would start on it's own but with no luck. At that point, Pitocin started and I knew with prayer and the support of my birthing partner I was still going to have an epidural free birth despite being induced.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing for me was definitely the impact the Pitocin had on my contractions. Because of the drug, there were no breaks or rests in between the contractions, so I had constant contractions for 6 hours.

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

The most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was taking the class at our hospital, which was taught by a doula. Though she didn't necessarily push going natural, she was extremely informative and made sure we looked at the snowball effects/ repercussions of an epidural [ie. only one pushing option, catheter, etc]. Because of that, I was able to be in control of my birth and knew what did and did not have to happen in conjunction with the induced labor.

What surprised you about your birth?

I think the most surprisingly thing about my birth was how incredibly in-control, strong and calm I felt. I know that strength could not come from me alone and was a result of asking for God's strength throughout labor. I was also surprised about my ability to focus, allowing a somewhat out of body experience.

The biggest piece of advice I would give other natural mamas is to be sure your birth partner feels as equally prepared and educated as you do. Without him, I don't know if I would have been strong enough to make it through labor without pain intervention. Being informed about exactly what would happen during labor and delivery gave me the control I needed to know that I could do it.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

For me, I needed a very quiet and naturally lit environment. I was very miserable when laboring overnight, but once the sun came up I was much more comfortable. I am very happy I delivered mid day and got to watch the sunrise while laboring, in anxious anticipation of meeting our little boy. I spent 4 hours of my birth sitting on the edge of my bed swaying back and forth and praying which was very comforting for me, with intermittently standing and swaying while holding on to my birth partner.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I pushed on all fours for 45 minutes after trying to push on my back. It made all the difference in the world and my birth partner stood at my head counting for me as I pushed. At the very end, my shoulders and back were so tired that I decided to lay down on my back for the final push to delivery.

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

I felt an instant sense of relief and calm when holding my baby for the first time. With a lot of anxiety around him being susceptible to infection, it was so freeing for him to be with us, no longer questioning whether or not he was okay.

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

The biggest piece of advice I would give other natural mamas is to be sure your birth partner feels as equally prepared and educated as you do. Without him, I don't know if I would have been strong enough to make it through labor without pain intervention. Being informed about exactly what would happen during labor and delivery gave me the control I needed to know that I could do it.