Where it all began

When I was younger, I was sure I would get an epidural when I had a baby. Why go through all that pain if there was a way out? I wanted to enjoy the birth, not suffer for hours and hours.

Then I got pregnant. My entire view shifted from me to my baby. What was best for her? What could I do that would make this the best experience possible? I started reading everything I could get my hands on and I read a birth story online of a woman who had a natural birth. The way she described it was everything that I wanted to experience with my birth. I found more and more information on how to have a natural birth.

I took a private birth class that focused on natural pain coping methods and I read several books on the subject also. I practiced relaxation every night and kept my thougths postitive. I hired a doula and made my birth plan. All I had to do now was wait.

I woke up one morning 4 days before my due date at 3am with some cramping. By 4am they were definitely strong contractions so I woke up my husband and called my doula. By 5am I felt it was time to go to the hospital. The contractions were really strong and about 4 minutes apart. We got to the hospital at about 5:30am and got settled in. My OB was there and came in to check me. I think I was around 4 cm, but I don't remember exactly. My baby's heartbeat was dropping during contractions, they speculated (correctly) that the cord was around her neck. I tried several different positions to see if that made a difference and found one position where the heartbeat was stable throughout contrations. My OB wanted me to get an epidural "just in case" I needed to have a c-section. I said no, thank you. She said that if her heart rate dropped any lower I would have to go in for a c-section and if I didn't have an epidural, I would be put under general anestesia and my husband wouldn't be able to be there with me. She also told me that my baby could possibly die if I took to long to push her out.

This was the worst thing I could hear. I wanted to make the right decision that would keep my baby safe. I thought back to everything I had learned during my pregnancy. Epidurals can cause a baby's heart rate to drop, they can prolong labor, and they can prolong the pushing stage. All of which, according to my OB, would lead me directly to a c-section.


I told her, "No, thank you. I can do this." I stayed in the same position for 10 1/2 hours and pushed my daughter out in 10 minutes. She had the cord around her neck once. They sliped it off and layed her on my chest. She immediatly started to pink up and make noises. She was perfect and I did it all by myself - with the help of my doula, mom, best friend, and husband, of course. :)


I'm so glad I believed in my ability to give birth. Doctors don't always have the right answer. We as women need to trust ourselves and listen to our bodies. In the absence of a medical emergency, doctors are superfluous. It's hard to think that way in a society that reveres doctors. They definitely have their place when medical attention is needed, but in a normal birth, it's better to have people around you who are experienced with normal births. This is why next time I plan on having a homebirth with a midwife.

This experience is what got me interested in natural childbirth and led me to become certified as a doula and childbirth educator. I loved giving birth and want other women to love giving birth, too. I've learned a lot since giving birth to my daughter two years ago and I'm still learning every day. I love being with women on their journey to becoming mothers and being present at the birth of a new life. I will be forever grateful to the families that I work with that they let me share in the most emotional and transforming experience of their lives.