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| google images |
My last birth was everything you could have dreamed of, my
birth plan (http://themilkmonsters.blogspot.com/2015/08/unmedicated-vbac-water-labor-beautiful.html
) was followed to a T. My first birth, not so much (http://themilkmonsters.blogspot.com/2012/05/laila-story.html
) A birth is a beautiful thing regardless of how it’s done. You become a mother
and a new life comes forth. I was determined to do everything in my power this
time around to make it all perfect. While I was medically unable to have a
homebirth due to it being a VBAC and my scar tissue from my caesarean was
measuring thin, I was able to go to a birthing center which was the next best
thing.
While I was in pre-labor for 2 days, and actual labor for 15
hours, it made me stronger as a person and I would do it all again in a
heartbeat, no kidding! These are the tips I’d like to share with you all, in
hopes that if you are planning a non medicated or vbac birth, that you have
amazing success.
·
Walk, bounce, repeat- I cannot stress this enough,
baby is heading down and out, gravity is amazing and will work with your body
if you allow it.
·
Noise control- This was a must for me, I am a
calm person by nature so I found that a dimly lit room, quiet talking, and a
minimum amount of people in the room worked best.
·
Older siblings present- My toddler was present
for the ENTIRE process, it got boring for her so we packed toys, books, and a
friend let us borrow an iPad that ran off of the birthing center’s Wi-Fi. It
kept her busy for the boring parts.
·
Affirmations- I made a huge compilation of
affirmations. You kind find some online or make your own. I laid these out on
the bed and read them nonstop when I was having a hard moment.
·
Coach- my husband acted as my labor coach,
pushing on my lower back during back labor, dancing with me (rocking the baby
down), and telling me I could do it.
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| google images |
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To eat or not to eat- when my water broke I was
lucky, I was chowing down on pasta so I had that extra carb load before labor
kicked in, but 10 hours into it, I was exhausted. My midwife looked at me and
said “I don’t see why they say you cannot eat or drink just a little, you need
that fuel…” then she winked, turned her back and left the room. That was my
queue to eat a granola bar; I’m telling you I was a different person after
that. I was relaxed and had more energy.
·
Get your wobbly booty into warm water if you
can- the water helped me relax and get ready for the big contractions. I poured
water across my tummy with each contraction and it took the pain to a more
tolerable level.
·
Contractions- With each contraction, I kept my
mouth and jaw loose and open, the whole body tends to tense up if you are
clenching your jaw.
·
Focal point- I found an amazing image that we
posted on the wall behind my midwife’s head when it came to pushing time. I
felt more comfortable lying down to push; I was so tired from being on my feet
for the whole labor. This was my first vaginal birth and I only had to push 8
times and she was out with minimal tearing.
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| My focal point art |
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When you deliver the placenta- I made sure to
leave the cord pulsating and as I delivered my placenta (to be turned into
capsules later) I made sure my messy new baby latched on, it got my
contractions going and the placenta was out in minutes.
I hope these tips help anyone thinking of or preparing for a
non-medicated birth. Happy Birthing!
