I gave birth on June 15, 2008 (Father's Day!) to my first child, a beautiful daughter, Mackenzie Grace Barrett. Upon announcing my pregnancy, a friend told me about an 8- session class taught at our local hospital titled Natural Childbirth. She explained that it was a very thorough class which covered not only the various stages of labor but also choosing a pediatrician, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and the amazing newborn. I called the instructor to inquire about the class and while it did sound very informative, I wasn't so sure that a natural childbirth was all that important to me. Most of my friends had gotten epidurals and I figured I probably would too. I had no idea that a natural childbirth could be such an empowering experience. So, it was somewhat by default that I registered for the class as the alternative class - a 3 session class not necessarily geared toward a natural birth - was full when I went to register. I am now so thankful that I did take this class as my natural childbirth is an experience I will always be grateful for!
My labor experience began with a trip to the hospital for a non-stress test on the morning that would end up being my delivery day. I had been to the doctor a few days prior (Wed.) and my due date was Saturday. I was 1 cm. dilated and not having any contractions. My doctor wasn't too much in favor of me going more than a week overdue so we scheduled an induction for the following Thursday in case it didn't happen on its own by then. My doctor suggested I have a non-stress test done on Sunday morning (one day past my due date) at the hospital to ensure that everything was fine with the baby as he was headed out of town for the next couple of days. So, my husband, Rick, and I went in for the test at about 11:00 am. The nurse hooked me up to the fetal monitor and all looked fine with the baby. She could tell that I was having some contractions which she thought to be pretty strong although I wasn't feeling them. She seemed a bit surprised that I wasn't feeling the contractions and said, "You may be a good candidate for a natural childbirth!" She called my doctor and he said that I might as well go home and wait it out, thinking it could be a while if I wasn't yet feeling anything.
Well, the power of suggestion proved to be powerful indeed as within an hour of being back home, I was feeling the contractions and Rick started timing them. They were about 5 min. apart and we knew that at this point, we needed to head back to the hospital! The nurses weren't the least bit surprised to see me back - they figured it wouldn't be too long! By 3:00 I was in a labor and delivery room and after changing into a hospital gown, I told the nurse that I wanted to try for a natural childbirth if possible (although I still wasn't entirely convinced that this was the way I wanted to go). The nurse checked and I was already 5 cm. dilated! The thing I remembered most from class was that the contractions would be much harder to take if I were laying in bed - being up and moving would help me to work through them. So... Rick and I walked the halls! We paced back and forth in the labor and delivery area. I would stop walking when I felt a contraction coming on, sometimes holding onto the railing on the wall, breathe through the contraction then keep walking. By about 4:00, I was up to 6 cm dilated and the contractions were coming on stronger. The nurse asked if I wanted to consider an epidural at that point and while it was tempting, hearing that I was another centimeter dilated was encouraging enough to keep laboring on my own. At that point, I decided to give the birth ball (a Pilates/exercise ball) a try and that for me was an incredible birthing tool. For several hours, I sat on the ball swaying side to side when I felt a contraction coming on. That type of swaying motion along with continuing to breathe through each contraction was very powerful. During the points when I needed to be lying down for an exam by the doctor or to be on the fetal monitor were by far the most difficult points of labor. I found that being in motion - be it walking or swaying on the birth ball- made the contractions much easier to handle. By 7:00, I was 10 cm. dilated and ready to push. I pushed for about an hour and at 8:08 pm, my daughter was born!
I will always be grateful for this experience. Not only was it empowering to have a natural birth but it also made me even more thankful for my wonderful husband as he coached and encouraged me through my labor. It was a special experience for us to share. If I am blessed with another pregnancy in the future, I will indeed try for a natural birth again!
Heather and Kama were friends when Kama lived in California. They knew each other in 2nd-5th grade and lost touch for a number of years until Heather looked Kama up about 8 years ago. Heather currently lives in California and is married to Rick. She used to teach but is now a SAHM to Mackenzie.
Hi Kama!! Thanks for the comment. If I could give any advice it would be to expect anything and everything and embrace it. It doesn't matter how the baby gets here; natural, medicated, c-section, or adopted, as long as it's healthy, it's a wonderful birth. And I kept telling myself that no woman has ever been in labor forever, it has to end sometime. That helped my stamina some. Best wishes! Brittany
ReplyDeleteKama, I hope that your childbirth experience is all that you want it to be!
ReplyDeleteI had all 3 of my kids natural (minus a shot of Stadol that I had with Nate). I had done some research when I was pregnant with Elizabeth and decided that natural was my style. I just kept thinking of all those strong pioneer women who survived natural childbirth and decided I could indeed do it. I think that for me that was the key - sheer determination to not fail at a goal I set for myself!) I think that had a gone ahead and gotten an epidural I would have deep down known I had done everything I could and I would have been okay with it, but I am glad that I stuck to my desire to go natural.
My first two babies were born in Hong Kong with a doctor who is VERY supportive of natural childbirth. The nurses/midwives are also supportive. So when they read on my birth plan that I wanted to go natural, they never pushed the issue with me. I think this was another helpful thing - when you are going through transition (the toughest part before the baby arrives) it is SO easy to give in when offered help. This is when DH is most needed - to remind you (gently of course) what you planned and what your desires are.
I have to admit, after have fantastic experiences with my girls in Hong Kong, I was super nervous about delivering in America as I had heard that the doctors/hospitals are more forceful and will push their protocol on you. For this reason I decided to use a midwife that worked at the hospital. It turned out to be a really great decision.
I will tell you some things I learned... 1) Read the book, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Method by Susan McCutcheon. 2) make a birth plan and understand the reasons behind all that you choose. 3) make sure your DH also understands your desires for labor - he has to be educated! :)
4) understand that it is YOUR baby, YOUR body and YOUR choice. The doctor is indeed the wisest one, but never second guess a mother's instinct.
5) hospital rules can be bent!
6) no matter what happens, savor every moment of it. And write it all down just as soon as you can.
When I had my kids I never had an IV (those can indeed be refused), I told them how often I would have the external fetal monitoring, and I refused to be 'checked' every hour as it can set you up for disappointment if you aren't as far along as you like (which really means nothing). Your body will tell you when it is time to push.
Also - Elizabeth was a doll and arrived on her due date, but Anna was 6 days late and Nate was 8 days late. I did the stress test with them to appease the doctors, and I did an U/S with both of them to check the fluid levels and since all was well I refused to be induced. I know that many doctors in America will induce you if you are more than about 10 minutes past your suggested due date, and I know this can make for a much harder labor. Follow through with the tests are there are legit things to look for when you are past your suggested due date, but if everything looks fine, let your baby finish cooking! :) I truly think that my length of labor with Anna and Nate was shorter because they came when they were ready!
Okay - this has turned into a mega-long comment. I hope that all goes well for you and that you have a great experience!
Thanks for the comment, Kama. And let me just say you're a better woman than me if you decide to have the baby naturally. My best advice is if you can't bear the pain, get the epidural.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on my blog as well :o) A great way to solicit labor advice!
ReplyDeleteI stand at 2 epidurals, 4 natural, the last three being at home. These are some thoughts off the top of my head.
1. It sounds like your friend had a great experience with supportive doctors/nurses and being allowed to labor in the way that was comfortable. I would say that, along with a strong desire/commitment to a natural birth is KEY #1. If you don't have a strong desire, that is totally fine, but you have to know going in that you really, really want it. Tell your nurse, tell her you're going to need some support later, and that you would like her to talk you out of an epidural should you start asking for one. (Up to a point of course! Some women will have a code word with their husband and nurse that says, "I am being serious now, bring on the drugs!)
2. Along the vein of supportive doctor/nurse, you may have to fight to labor how you want. Do everything in your power to be able to get into the position that is comfortable. Even if that means a birthing ball with the monitor, but stand up for yourself, have your husband be your advocate as well. Talk with your doctor at your next appt and find out what the hospital policy, as well as his policy is, and see what you can do about turning that to your favor.
3. If I were having a hospital birth and wanting to go natural, I would STAY AT HOME as long as possible. Warm baths and showers are a huge help. I cannot stress this enough.
4. Don't be induced. I've done it twice. Pitocin contractions are not natural. Kudos to the woman that can have a natural childbirth when being induced before her body is having signs of labor. Don't let your doctor talk you into it. 9 times out of 10, it is for their convenience. There are tests they can do to monitor baby's health, don't do it just because you're "overdue." But obviously, if there's a real risk to baby, that's the most important.
5. All that said, be flexible. If you opt for the drugs, don't see yourself as a lesser woman. Labor is hard, sure thousands of women have done it before sans drugs, but you can bet if they'd been available, they probably would have been asking :o)
6. As far as just general new mama tips, here is what I always wanted to shake my friends and say, "WHY didn't you tell me???" Not easy to listen to, but it's the real deal :o)
***Nursing hurts. Forget the crap about it not hurting if the baby latches correctly, it's not true. It just takes awhile to toughen up even if they do latch properly. Expect to cringe and fight tears from about days 3-10 or so. Lansinoh is worth every penny. Get it. Use it. Cabbage leaves really work.
***Engorgement is awful. Again, cabbage leaves. Hot water also helps a lot. Pump enough to relieve the pain, you will not mess up your milk supply, and it will prevent the baby from drowning :o) Sleep with towels until your milk regulates. Wear shirts that you don't mind getting stained. I am glad to say that subsequent babies do not have this extreme effect as much, it's really only the first one, in my experience. I will sleep with a heating pad on my chest in order to keep the milk flowing somewhat so the engorgement doesn't get as bad.
***Your bottom will hurt. Possibly a lot. Take the pain meds. Don't worry about it, just take them. If you have a tear of 3rd degree or more, you will not be able to walk for a couple of weeks. Sit tight and hold your legs together :o)
***Invest in a heating pad. After birth pains can rival labor, especially when nursing. There are some herbs called "Afterease" that totally work. Just a few drops under your tongue. Totally, totally worth it.
***Favorite baby book: Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Changed my life with number five. I just wish someone had told me about it earlier. My last two literally laugh when they see their bed. They love it, I totally contribute my babies sleeping well to her method. Google it if you're not familiar with it.
I will say the experience of natural childbirth is hands down worth it, every bit. That's my humble opinion and feeling. It is amazing, miraculous, and empowering. You won't regret it.
That's it :o) May you be blessed with the labor of your heart's desire! Blessings, prayers, and hugs :o)
Hi Kama,
ReplyDeleteI hope my labor story didn't scare you much. After all that I went through, I looked at my husband the day I delivered my son and said, "I can do this again. Maybe not today, but eventually."
Best wishes as you head toward your delivery date!