Birth Stories

Tracy's Hospital Birth with Vacuum

  • When did you realize you were really in labor?

    My son was moving in my womb since I went to bed. I couldn't sleep. At 2AM I began having back labor and needed counter pressure during every contraction. ( I knew what was going on from my Bradley childbirth class.) I handled it in my own for three contractions and then I got my husband up because I needed his help.

  • What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

    My lower back tensed up and would not relax.

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

    We took a Bradley childbirth class.

  • What surprised you about your birth?

    I was surprised by how exhausted I was from the very beginning. Labor began in the middle of the night so i had no sleep or food in me. I didn't have energy to go in the tub, shower, or birthing ball. I sat in bed for a good portion of it.

  • Labor began in the middle of the night so i had no sleep or food in me. I didn't have energy to go in the tub, shower, or birthing ball.
  • What pain relief strategies worked best?

    Massage, massage oil, a heat pack that warmed up in a microwave, and Biofreeze pain relieving gel

  • What position did you end up delivering in?

    After 2 and 1/2 hours of pushing I delivered on my back with a vacuum thingy pulling him out.

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

    It felt worth the wait and hard labor. I was so happy to hold MY baby... the product of my husband and me.. Wow!

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

    Don't forget to use common sense. There are a lot of "natural" people out there that give the impression that hospitals, nurses and doctors are terrible and don't know anything. They are just people like you and me. They can help you. Remember you want them on your side. Communicate your wishes for natural stuff but also know they know a lot too.

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