Resources for a Natural Childbirth

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Last week I shared the story of our beautiful natural birth experience. I got such wonderful feedback from fellow women and mothers. You can read more about our birth experience here.

I’m so glad I was able to touch others by sharing our sweet experience! My hope is to empower other women to have the births they want. Talking with my Dad about our birth experience, he looked up on google and found that while about 20% of women hope for a natural birth, less than 5% actually have a natural birth. I found this when talking to friends who were pregnant at the same time as me or who had recently had babies. Many said they had intended to try to go natural, but ultimately it was too hard.

I know that every labor is different, but I believe that possibly the greatest factor in success is the resources and preparation a woman has prior to and during her labor. I know that our birth experience was defined by these resources, and I really don’t think I would have achieved the labor I hoped for had I gone into labor without that preparation. So I wanted to share those resources that I prepared with. I have also reached out to some of the women I know who have also delivered naturally and have included what they said were their most beneficial resources. Labor is such an individual process. I know that what worked for me is not what will necessarily work for another woman. My hope is that hearing the experience of other women who have had positive natural births will encourage and inspire you to have your ideal birth, whatever that looks like for you!

These are all resources that we prepared with and had to pull from during the labor. We didn’t end up using everything, but we had this bank of resources to pull from and do what felt right in the moment!

Birth Companion

This was the absolute most important resource for me during my labor. Having Carter by my side throughout the entire labor was so important. I wanted him to be involved with the birth of our baby boy. To do so, I made sure that he, too, was educated about the birth process and prepared for our natural birth. We practiced relaxation techniques together, reviewed laboring positions, and attended our birth class together.

From Carter’s sister:

I think the most important resource was my husband. During all three of my births there was a point when I said I can’t do this. He held me and helped me focus on my breathing and got me through those tough moments.

Lacey

To read more of my thoughts about having your husband as birth companion, click here.

Doulas

Where Carter and I had originally hoped to be the only ones present at the birth of our baby (aside from the doctor and nurse), we changed our minds when my sister, Heidi, began training to be a doula. At first, Carter was pretty nervous about having other family members present, but ultimately he and I were SO GRATEFUL for the support and help Heidi gave us. While Carter was offering physical and emotional support throughout the entire labor, Heidi was a support to both him and me. She helped apply counter pressure on my back, spray my back with hot water while in the tub, brought me popsicles, water, and ice, offered suggestions when changing positions, and so much more! She made a HUGE impact on the positive experience we had.

Education

One of the most important things for me personally was the knowledge I had going into labor. Learning about the body’s natural ability to birth a baby and the physiological processes that allow for mom and baby to work in harmony gave me great confidence leading up to the birth. I increased my knowledge about birth in a few different ways.

Birth Classes

We took a hypnobirthing class, which I absolutely loved! I know there are many others that have been helpful. One of the most valuable things this class offered was the knowledge about how my body is built to birth naturally. I loved taking a class because Carter and I were able to learn and prepare together.

To read more about my experiences with our hypnobirthing class, click here.

From Carter’s Mom:

“I think our best resource was taking child birth classes. These were professional classes that we paid for, not hospital offered classes. I suspect that the hospital classes at that time weren’t very substantial. I think at the time, it was easier on hospital personnel to administer an epidural. The childbirth classes that we took had homework and reading. It was a great opportunity. The teacher was great. We felt it was a great tool.”

Reading

There are so many amazing books out there as far as labor preparation goes! Again, I read Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan. I also read The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin to help me envision how to better involve both Carter and Heidi in the labor process. My mom has always sworn by the “the Bradley Book”, as she calls it – Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon. My sister in law, Alycia, recommended The Gift of Giving Life by Felice Austin, which is next on my books to read! Really, there are so many amazing books out there to educate and boost your confidence prior to labor. I don’t think it’s possible to learn too much prior to labor. The more you understand what is happening during your pregnancy and labor, the more confidently you can face what comes! Affirmations

Listening to affirmations while preparing for and during labor reminded me of the knowledge I had acquired about birth. I knew that my body could do this, but sometimes I would still have moments of fear and panic. Listening to affirmations and repeating them to myself helped eliminate these fears. Some favorite affirmations I remembered during labor were:

Every contraction brings my baby closer to me

My body and my baby know how to perfectly work together to bring my baby to me

The ability to birth naturally is a blessing

There are all sorts of affirmation recordings on youtube and available through other resources that can be extremely helpful!

From my sister, Heidi (also our doula):

I think the most important thing for me was just deciding that I wanted a natural birth and realizing deep down that I was made to give birth and that I had the strength. Listening to affirmations helped a lot, because they are so beautiful and helped me realize that. I could say so many things, but that is definitely the most important.

Positions

This is one of the greatest benefits of a natural labor... you can move! Changing positions and assuming positions that allow for gravity to assist baby's movement can really speed up the labor process. We reviewed positions several times in advance, as well as when each position might be helpful. There are different positions ideal for back pain, helping speed labor along, and even slowing things down if necessary! This is a benefit of natural labor that you want to take advantage of and KNOW YOUR OPTIONS. I can't imagine laboring for hours while reclined in the hospital bed. I don't think I would have made it! Instead, I moved through a variety of positions, each as it felt like the right thing at that moment... and my labor progressed so quickly (once we actually started progressing).

Relaxation

We learned a variety of relaxation techniques with our hypnobirthing class... and this list probably only scratches the surface! We didn't end up using all of these during the labor, but it helped to have all of them on hand if need be.

My mom emphasized the importance of practicing these techniques beforehand:

Dad and I practiced every day using the relaxation techniques and focusing techniques taught in the book so it would be second nature to me.

Breathing

Hypnobirthing taught us three different types of breathing for different parts of labor. You can learn more about these in the hypnobirthing book or by taking a class! There are many other resources for learning helpful breathing techniques. I'm sure you can even find videos on youtube. Regardless of which method you choose, I feel that practicing breathing is CRUCIAL. Labor is definitely intense, but maintaining a calm, even breathing throughout labor helped me keep calm, focused, and confident throughout our entire labor.

Meditation

Hypnobirthing and other similar methods offer a variety of relaxation hypnoses to bring you into a deep state of relaxation during labor. Before you balk at the idea of hypnosis, realize that this is really just meditation! It's definitely nothing scary. I found these very helpful as I practiced leading up to labor. I did several fear releasing meditations when I would get anxious about birth or becoming a mother and they helped me SO MUCH to maintain my calm. Then I could hardly focus on them during labor! Again, prepare as many resources as you can, so that in the moment you can use what feels right then and there.

If mom can stay calm, baby can stay calm, and that's how things progress and move quickly. Realizing the pain was "normal" and not "harmful" to my body really allowed me to distance myself from it and focus more on my baby than on how my body felt.

Alycia (referencing her experience with Hypnobabies)

Massage

We had practiced light touch massage prior to laboor, which Heidi applied to my belly during transition. One second it was helpful, the next it was somehwat irritating! But we were able to move on to other supports that were more helpful when the need arose.

Carter also massaged my feet for a while during labor. I hardly remember being conscious of it, but it must have felt nice or I would have stopped him!

Physical Touch

At one point, all I needed Carter to do was to keep holding my hand. His touch brought me comfort and gave me much needed support at that moment.

Counter Pressure

Heidi and Carter alternated applying counter pressure on my back almost the entire time while at the hospital. While the pressure in my back was still quite strong, this brought a great deal of relief.

Heat Pads

Placing warm rice bags (use any type of heat pad) on my abdomen and lower back during contractions helped a great deal. This is how I got through several hours of early labor while Carter was asleep and I was breathing through contractions on my own at home. It also helped relieve the discomfort of uterine contractions after the delivery.

Aromatherapy

We brought a diffuser and relaxing essential oils to help create a calm atmosphere during the labor. I had previously diffused that particular scent only when practicing relaxation and going to sleep, so it was associated only with a calm state.

Music

I had several different playlists prepared, depending on my needs during labor. We listened to birth affirmations and relaxation hypnoses for a while, then switched to relaxing nature sounds and meditation music.

Birthing Tub

I would ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND having access to a tub during labor if at all possible. Our hospital doesn't permit water births, but I was able to stay in the tub for all of active labor and into transition. With Carter spraying my back with hot water and Heidi applying counter pressure while I knelt in a comfortable position, I experienced such great relief from the intensity of contractions. The tub was absolutely AMAZING!

Location and Medical Support

Whether you choose a home birth, birth center, or hospital, the most important is to find a provider and location that support your needs and preferences. I was quite nervous to labor naturally at the hospital, but we ultimately had an amazing experience. Our nurses were wonderful and so respectful of our preferences. They were so supportive of our natural birth.

Birth is a beautiful experience and will be what you make of it. Regardless of where you choose to birth your baby, you are bringing a baby into the world! Ultimately, you just need to choose the support that works best for you.

I would absolutely labor at our hospital again. My sister-in-law Alycia gave birth at a birth center and had a beautiful experience there. Here is some of what she shared with me:

I personally would never change having been at a birth center. Everything was exactly how I wanted it. I had my midwives and husband there the whole time and everything was team oriented. There were no monitors or things that "had to take place", but everything could happen how I wanted. Truly amazing and such a calm, enjoyable, and encouraging environment.. plus, McKay delivered the baby, was the first person to hold her, and then he gave her immediately to me. There were no gloves, masks, gowns; everything was just 100% natural.

You Define Your Birth

Most importantly, you define the way your birth will play out. While you cannot determine every turn your labor will take, you can choose to be in control of your experience. Be open to change and be accepting of any measures that may be necessary to keep you and baby safe. But this is your labor. You know your body best. You know what you want. Don't let anyone else tell you how you have to deliver your baby. Bringing that life into the world is the most miraculous, beautiful thing, and you can choose to make it a beautiful experience.

Regardless of how you birth- whether you go 100% natural, choose an epidural, need a C-section, or have any other unforeseen circumstances... this is the birth of your baby. A miracle has just taken place. Regardless of the circumstances, I hope you can remember the moment your child's life began with joy and awe. Birth truly is a miracle.

The most important thing for me was just deciding that I wanted a natural birth and realizing deep down that I was made to give birth and that I had the strength

Heidi

It's so tough, but it's so rewarding"

Alycia

You are NOT alone

I have spoken with many women who felt alone in their desires to labor naturally. Many know few, if any women, who have chosen to deliver naturally. I was blessed to have an amazing support system of fellow women who supported me in my goal of a natural labor. Regardless of the support you feel you have, know that you are NOT alone. You stand with generations of women before (and after) you who have miraculously brought a new life into the world. However you choose to labor, you have participated in the creation of a miracle ♥

I think my determination to have a natural childbirth was key also. I knew it would be intense. I also knew I could conquer.

Becky

Support

Here are a few more words of inspiration from that I thought were too beautiful not to include.

Without an epidural and having everything skin to skin immediately from birth on also led baby to be awake and completely alert for 5 hours. Which was so precious and such a little miracle for us to enjoy her awake spirit for that long afterwards. She never cried during that time either... she was an angel, and I know things would have been 100% different if it wasn't natural and if it wasn't at the birth center.

Alycia

If you have any questions about our natural birth, please comment below. (Again, you can read our birth story here). I would also love to hear about your own birth experience and what resources or preparation allowed for a beautiful birth experience. Also, what you might do differently looking back.

I hope this inspires and empowers you to take control of your birth! You are strong, mama! If you take advantage of the resources available to you, I know you will have a beautiful birth, however that is defined for you personally.

Please share or pin this if you felt inspired! Let's inspire some other mamas 🙂