Birth has always been something that interested me, but I
thought it was just because it was something that was going to happen or was
happening to me. Here we are, three kids later and birth still continues to be
something that I find interesting. And I cannot keep having kids so I have to
find a way to satisfy the calling in another way. After the birth of my
third child I knew that I wanted birth to be a part of my life forever. Helping
other women realize their strength and ability to achieve the birth they have
dreamed about sounds great to me! I am also a birth doula, helping women to relax and feel supported during labor. I feel so lucky to he able to teach and help women through this time in her life!
I went through my 1st pregnancy without much
knowledge about how to eat or take care of myself. I very much trusted my
doctor to do what was best and I didn't question it. I was induced because of
low fluid 1 week before my due date and labored for 27 hours. It was a very
painful long experience, however I was able to have my daughter vaginally- something
I am more thankful for now than I was then.
My second child was born 4 days before my due date. I went
into labor after my OB swept my membranes. And I wanted to do it without drugs-
but didn't have any training; I honestly didn't think I needed it. I was doing
it the “natural way” why would I need to be trained on something that is
natural? I got to 8cm and wanted to give up and felt unsure (had I known what I
know now, I would have recognized these feelings as normal and that I was in
the Transition phase- My coach and I would have used the tools we learned in
Bradley to make it through these last few centimeters). But because we were
unprepared, I didn't feel comfortable anymore and opted for the epidural- he
was born vaginally 2 hours later. I always said that if I had another kid- it
would be natural.
I got my chance a few years later- I took Bradley and hired
a Doula. I was 2 days past my due date and didn't think he would ever come. I
was having slight contractions here and there for a week or so and one day they
were stronger than usual but they would go away after an hour or so, and that
continued all day, I just decided it wasn't going to happen and I went to bed.
I woke up 2 hours later in transition- 15 minutes later he was born on our
bedroom floor- my husband caught him! It was the craziest but greatest most
fulfilling experience of my entire life.
I was shocked how different he was from my first two- he was so alert,
not crying and breastfeeding was so much easier! He was alert enough to nurse
and latch properly.
I am so thankful for all of my births and happy, healthy
kids! I know that the experiences I have had can help you achieve your desired
birth!