SincerelyC

*black and white photo credit: Spring Willow Photography

Before becoming pregnant, I enjoyed reading other’s birth stories and often found them inspiring so I thought I would share mine as well.

What I did to Prepare for Labor

Starting at about 36 weeks I began eating 3 Medjool dates per day. This has been shown to help soften the cervix in preparation for labor. I also started drinking red raspberry tea. I drank it hot and usually consumed 1-2 cups per day. I also sprayed Young Living’s Claraderm Spray 1-2 x/day. This is a pricey product and is a natural form of Dermoplast. I had heard it could help prevent tearing- which I didn’t tear so in my opinion it was 100% worth it! I also made frozen pads to have for after delivery using frida postpartum pads, witch hazel, aloe vera gel, and the claraderm spray. I also got chiropractic adjustments regularly about 1x/week since my husband is a Chiropractor. I have been getting these done regularly the past 3ish years as well. I also did a lot of squatting, cat cow stretches, and labor inducing exercises- especially the last week or so before labor. Books I read include Holy Labor, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, and my husband read Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth. I also used Sarah Grace Meckelberg’s website, instagram, and podcast as valuable resources and followed @painfreebirth and @builttobirth on Instagram. 

Ever since I was little I remember being terrified of childbirth. I knew this was a fear I would have to give over to The Lord. That’s much easier said than done, but God was so good throughout my pregnancy and during labor/delivery! He addressed every fear I had and proved His faithfulness over and over. 

When Labor Began

I woke up on September 25th (40 weeks and 2 days) around 6/6:30am with what I thought was pelvic pain. Baby girl had been sitting low for weeks and it was progressively getting more uncomfortable to lay at night so I thought that was all it was. After some time I realized I could be having contractions. I decided to go ahead downstairs and get my breakfast ready since Trenton, my husband, would be getting up before too long for work. Contractions had started in my back and after some time began to wrap around to the front. Trenton left for work just before 8am and I promised I’d call him with any updates. Luckily his work is about 5 minutes away. I began timing contractions and they weren’t consistent, some being 10 minutes apart and some more or less than that. I called Trenton to update him that they seemed like they were the same as earlier. I then called my mom and his mom to update them. I reassured mom that she could finish getting ready and then come over. She called me later (I’m unsure of the timing but somewhere around 10am I’d say) to see how I was. At this point contractions were getting more intense but they were still inconsistent time wise. The whole time I was having contractions I laid on my left side and focused on relaxing my body to help relieve any tension (what The Bradley Method book emphasized). I 100% recommend looking into The Bradley Method if you’re a first time mom wanting to have a natural childbirth! I wasn’t sure how I would respond once contractions began, but the book prepared me so well to be able to focus on my body and to trust that it knows what to do. God designed women’s bodies to give birth!

By the time my mom and dad had got to our house contractions were getting more intense and closer together. Mom decided it was good to call Trenton since my contractions were approaching 5 minutes apart, more or less at this point! I was still wanting to wait until Trenton got home at noon for lunch and have him or dad bring me a sandwich from McAlister’s haha! After Trenton got home I had what they call ‘bloody show’ and then I knew it was time to go to the hospital for sure. We left for the hospital about 11:15am and I had Trenton ride with me in the backseat so he could apply pressure to my low back when contractions came. We got to the hospital about noon and it’s a good thing we left when we did cause I was 8cm dilated when we got there!

At the Hospital/Labor and Delivery

I couldn’t believe I was already 8cm dilated! They moved me to the labor and delivery room where I continued to have more intense contractions and I continued to lay on my left side. At one point I thought I might need to push if I laid on my back, but felt like I needed to rest before pushing began. I then realized this was not completely benefiting me so I laid on my back and the Certified Nurse Midwife checked me- she confirmed that I was fully dilated and ready to push. After some pushing, we decided it would be best to have the midwife break my water. I pushed for just over 1 hour total and miss Evelyn was born at 3:15pm. She was 7 lbs 2 oz- 20 1/4 inches long.

FAQs via Instagram

• Did you take classes for new moms? Did it help?
  • We took parenting classes through Hope Resource Center in Bedford, IN. The most helpful class for us was the ‘soothing babies’ class. They are a wonderful organization and we highly recommend them! Anyone is welcome to attend, not just those in Lawrence County. 
• When did you know it was time?
  • Honestly, my mom knew it was time for me to go to the hospital before I did. I still wanted to wait and get McAlister’s for lunch haha. Once I had bloody show and contractions were about 5 minutes or less and started to be more intense, I knew we should head for the hospital. I wasn’t sure when I would know when to push, but when the time comes your body just tells you what to do. 
• How long were you in labor?
  • Total labor was 9 hours and pushing was 1 of those hours. 6 hours of labor at home and 3 hours at the hospital. 
• Did you have an epidural?
  • Nope!
• Expectations vs realities?/Did it go as you “expected?”
  • I tried to go in with no expectations, but did have an idea of how I hoped and prayed that labor would go. I knew I wanted to do things natural and did not want an epidural or to be induced. The most important thing is a healthy baby and healthy mom so I was open to other interventions if necessary. I always had very painful periods, which included backache which tremendously helped me in preparation for the contractions. I can honestly say that giving birth was not as bad as I expected, but I know that is not the case for everyone and every birth. I can especially see how some would want pain relief if pushing lasts for over an hour!
  • The most difficult part for me has been postpartum. There’s a lot of change all at once- life with a newborn who is 100% dependent on you, breastfeeding, lack of sleep, the huge hormone fluctuations, a new body after giving birth, and realizing you’re a mom now. Nothing could have prepared me for going home after the hospital and how intensely the lack of sleep and hormone changes would affect me. Right from the start you’re thrown into caring for your baby, which although it is wonderful, it is so very difficult. I didn’t feel like I fully wrapped my brain around being a mama until week 3. At about 16 days postpartum I started to feel like myself again.