Positive Birth Stories are here to revolutionize the way we look at birth (and change the world 🙂 )! Fear and stress associated to birth are one of the main reason why women don’t manage to achieve a joyful birth experience. And it doesn’t have to be that way! You can read more about Positive Birth Stories here. Or head to my birth story: How I had a natural and pain free birth thanks to hypnobirthing.
If you’d like to share your own birth story, I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at monica@conqueringmotherhood.com
Hannah’s Birth Story
I had my first baby when I was young and too naive to do my own research. I trusted my providers to take care of me rather than digging a little deeper. Her birth was very “typical”: long labor (32 hours), early epidural, gave birth in a bed with my feet in stirrups.
My second baby is a long story, but I’ll try to condense: I wound up bouncing around my practice and landed with an OB I didn’t like and didn’t trust. He tried to convince me to do an elective C-section, because “she was too big”. He used other fear tactics but when that didn’t work, he scheduled me for an induction he knew I didn’t want, which I found out about 7 hours prior when the nurse called me to confirm.
I was livid and I had never felt so violated. This was my birth and my baby and he was trying to tell me how I would give birth as it was convenient to him… That didn’t sit well with me. That’s when I started doing research and reading and watching everything I could get my hands on about birth. I was 39 weeks pregnant and felt scared and stuck.
I ended up calling and registering with a midwife who was gracious enough to take me on so late because of my uncomplicated history. I switched hospitals and although I went into labor before my appointment with her, I was delivered by an OB who made me feel heard and respected for the first time.
Related: Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom, Baby & Partner (including FREE printable)
She was a big baby and in hindsight, I believe she was on a major nerve and not positioned well for birth. That resulted in a traumatic 21 hour labor, 5 of those hours in transition, and a late epidural; but I got through without the C-section the other OB swore I’d need. No broken shoulder, no vacuum, no forceps; not even a tear.
Women are capable.
Two years later, we got the joyful news that we were expecting again! We were thrilled, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t get my previous birth out of my mind and there was a fear and anxiety of a repeat situation. I knew I had to approach this one differently and give myself better tools to give birth in the way that I had dreamed of.
I looked up doulas for the first time, and the benefits of them were incredible! I got a team of my own and I still believe they were the single greatest asset that gave me the tools to be able to give birth quickly and relatively easily compared to my first two.
I went into labor at 2:00am with inconsistent contractions when I was 39 weeks pregnant with Lexi. I had learned the importance of rest during labor, so I kept going back to sleep as I was able.
Around 9:00am I texted my doula and told her what was going on. She recommended I do a few Miles Circuits and go for a walk. I did and was in active labor with consistent contractions within a half hour (this was around noon).
By a little after three, we were at the birth center, and to my great surprise, I was already dilated to 8cm! Based on my previous births and how I felt, I thought I was only at maybe 5-6cm. That tells you how much better I was coping!
I had learned about low tones and instinct told me in the moment to lean on something, bend my knees, take a big breath when I felt one coming and I was able to exhale during the majority of my contractions which helped me and my pelvic floor relax. I was at 8-9cm and still in good spirits and laughing in between contractions which was night and day from my first two labors!
I got in the birthing tub and labored there for a little over an hour. I pushed for maybe 20 minutes and Alexandria Hope (or Lexi Lou, as she’s known now) was born in the water at 6:24pm.
She was by far my easiest, quickest, favorite, and happiest birth.
She restored my confidence in myself, my ability, and women everywhere to give birth. Not only can we give birth, God literally made our bodies to do it!
Even when our conscious mind doesn’t know what we’re doing, our bodies do. Women are incredible, and women are capable.
With the right support and tools, birth is truly nothing to fear.
It’s nothing short of magnificent.
Hannah is a happily married wife and Mama of three girls: ages 5, 3, and 15 months. Hannah is passionate about encouraging other moms, building community, and teaching women how to weave together personal growth with the love of God to live up to her full potential. She blogs at Tiny Joyful Treasures where she shares on motherhood, pregnancy, faith and personal growth, and blogging tips.
If you are looking for more tips or information on how to prepare for birth and postpartum, also have a look at the following related articles:
- 23 Tips for a Natural Birth without Epidural
- How to Give Birth Naturally without Pain (17 Tips from a Mom who did it!)
- Printable Natural Birth Plan Template (FREE Word + PDF)
- 15 Signs that Labor is 24 to 48 Hours Away
- Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom, Baby and Partner (with FREE Printable)
- 12 Must-Have Clothes for After Delivery in Hospital
- Postpartum Care Kit Checklist (with all Essentials!)
Did you like this story? Pin It!
