Visualization And Affirmations Helped Sanina During Her Birth Center Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was trying to watch a documentary (while bouncing on a birthing ball as I was experiencing contractions) and realized the contractions aren’t going away and are getting closer. I decided to time them and realized they were 4 minutes apart and lasted 45 seconds to a minute. Called my midwife who suggested I go to the hospital. I arrived almost 6cm dilated.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

My daughter was born with a fist next to her head and I was crowning for 30 minutes! Bag of water behind my baby broke but not the bag in front so she was very high when I started to push. I didn’t expect ( not sure why) that I would push for 90 minutes. Considering water didn’t break in front and prevented my daughter from descending and considering she was born with a fist next to her head it makes sense I pushed for that long.

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

Visualization, affirmations.. every time I had a contraction, I visualized my cervix opening and with each contraction, I visualized my uterus contracting and kept telling myself that my body is working properly and it’s doing its job. It helped me to visualize contractions as waves.. I “rode“ each contraction as a wave and enjoyed the time between contractions and used it to prepare for next contraction. I told myself that our bodies are wonderful and know what they are doing-especially when I “rode “ down the contraction wave knowing I would get a little break.

What surprised you about your birth?

Last two pushes were actually the most difficult for me as I was at that point pushing for 90 minutes. That was actually a moment when I, for a first time during birth, had a moment of doubt and wondered if I can do it. My midwife recognized that I lost focus and simply asked me to refocus and breathe. That did the trick - just refocusing and breathing and that’s what was most surprising to me. Having attentive and attuned midwife made all the difference for me with a simple instruction which helped me refocus and get back in the “groove“ I maintained for 4 hours.

Having attentive and attuned midwife made all the difference for me with a simple instruction which helped me refocus and get back

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Visualization worked for me. My nurse also helped when she started massaging my back as I was pushing.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Much to my surprise, I ended up delivering on my back.

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

As soon as she was born.

How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?

It helped me to know what I can expect, experience and gave me the tools I needed to have a natural birth.