Birthing Zoe has been my easiest labor, yet. What helped me to be able to say this with such certainty?
I have had six deliveries. When I delivered Brayden (number 5), I did take medication once I got to the hospital. I made the decision that labor pain was one less thing for me to deal with, so I took an opioid through my IV. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it...maybe that is a side affect of the drug itself. I must say that I don't think that I would ever consider taking an opioid in normal circumstances because of the side affects to the baby that could arise. Even still. I labored for a while at home with him AND I only took the medication when I was in the last phase of labor...I had already dilated to a 7 when I agreed to medication.
With Zoe, I endeavored to be intentional about every aspect of the labor.
On to MY tips:
Labor Prep!
Stay hydrated and well rested.
Somewhere around week 36 I began experiencing a LOT of braxton hicks and back pain. I think this began happening for two reasons. One being that I was dehydrated, the other - mainly the back pain - due to me not resting well. During this week, there was one particular day when my back was hurting more than usual and I went to the hospital to make sure everything was alright. They kept me there for an half hour monitoring me and the baby. Once they told me that everything was alright, I began researching what I could do to remedy the situation. The first thing I did was increase my water intake. I admit that I don't have a habit of drinking water throughout the day. I usually have a cup of coffee at breakfast and a glass of water, tea, or kool-aid 😁 at lunch and dinner. I added to that a protein shake made with THM protein and sweetener and almond milk, a cup of tea (usually raspberry), and an additional bottle of water.
In order to make sure that I was resting well, I took an hour or two break during the middle of the day, usually around 3:00 p.m. when the kids were finished with school and on to their afternoon chores and activities. This usually included me having a glass of tea and a snack, or a protein shake. Sometimes I would nap on the couch in a reclined position, other days I would put my feet up and enjoy my snack and my Youtube playlist or favorite show on Prime.
I also became more diligent about taking my magnesium supplement with dinner every night.
I think managing pain during labor is a Mental Game.
I did my best to prepare for labor mentally by...
A.) Listening to positive birth experiences on podcasts and Youtube. This helped me to cast down negative thoughts when they arose.
I would like to share with you the address to three sites that were most helpful during the last month of my labor prep.
B.) Firmly establish a plan to manage pain during the entire laboring process. Many people talk about birth plans, and they may include pain managment on that list; but that is not what I am speaking of today.
When I had my first child, Aaliyah, I found myself counting (with Leslie Sansome's voice in my head) during every contraction. I have been walking with Mrs. Leslie for many years. I'm sure she doesn't know that she is also my labor and delivery duola as well. 😀
For Zoe's birth, I planned and prayed that I would labor at home until I was dilated to a seven. We live only a couple of blocks from the hospital, so I was at peace with this decision.
I have always downloaded an app that timed my contractions for me; but when the contractions became closer together and more intense; I counted aloud.
With Zoe, I began this even before I was in active labor. I was usually somewhere around 45 to 60 seconds when the I felt the contraction subsiding. Reminding myself that the intense pain is only for about a minute and is bringing me closer to having a precious bundle of life in my arms is a HUGE game changer. I knew that I was changing to active labor when I couldn't intelligently count to 60 anymore (LOL). It's almost hilarious, I began to count noticeably faster and skip numbers.
POSITION
Three of my children were born in a sitting position. Usually I would feel the need to go to the bathroom. With my two home births; I did use the restroom; but I usually stayed in the restroom and had the baby while still there.
Zoe was born in the hospital. They have certain things they want you to do in order to make it easy on the hospital staff. One of them is to stay laying down in bed. Not a great position for laboring without medication! One of the reasons that I wanted to labor mostly at home was because of this one restriction.
Because I was so far along, There was little time for them to strap me to the bed, or to even put an IV in my arm. I told the nurses that I didn't want medication; but that they could put the IV needle in my arm in case of an emergency. The nurse did; but it came out while I was pushing.
When I had a contraction, I simply sat up and over the side of the bed. What could they do? Push me back down. NO, they were very understanding and let me do what I needed to do to get through the contraction.
While laboring at home, I sat in the edge of my favorite and most comfortable chair. I tried just sitting on the toilet; but it was uncomfortable and cold.
PUSHING
When pushing, I leaned back on pillows, grabbed my thighs and imagined that I was having the hugest bowel movement EVER. I literally had to imagine the spot where "it" was coming out. This allowed me to focus my energy on pushing the baby out of the correct spot. Some of my contractions were wasted on "bad pushes". Initially, I forgot this tip; but once I remembered and put it into practice; things moved along a lot more rapidly. The doctor was helpful in telling me when I had made progress. Once he told me that my baby had a lot of hair; it gave me the boost of motivation to continue with energy.
I must add that the nurses coached me to push, take a breath, then push again. I did best with just taking one large breath and giving one great, long push per contraction. 20+ minutes of pushing and she was here.😌
I want to add that I began taking evening primrose supplements and walking 5 times a week at week 38.
Thursday night before she was born, I took a version of the midwifes brew. (I didn't have access to the exact ingredients mentioned online, so I substituted them as best I could.)
Friday I had one of the major evidences of the first signs of labor - loss of mucus plug + diarrhea. Saturday I had diarrhea and mild contractions all day. EARLY Sunday morning I had a contraction hard enough to wake me up. I began having consistent and painful contractions Sunday morning at about 10:30. By that evening at about 3:30, I told my Hubby I was ready to go to the hospital. Sunday evening at 5:09, Zoe was born.
NO intervention, NO medication, NO tearing, YES to a beautiful, healthy baby girl.
All of this said, the Lord allowed me to have the best pregnancy, labor, and delivery I have ever had! I did what I could; but I was reminded that He wants to participate in EVERY aspect of our lives. Birthing children is not excluded. I did not play worship music, or have anyone present speaking positive things to me; but I made sure to remember that the Lord was with me. I am grateful!!!
Are you expecting? I hope this helps in some way.
Do you know anyone who is currently pregnant? Feel free to share! I have done this thing five times before; but I learn with each delivery (from others) how to do it better.
Until next time,
