Nobody can get through any trying time very easily without support. That’s what you came here to find, right? That’s certainly why I began my search and journey as well. EVERYONE is strengthened from others. Our natural childbirth stories are all different, yet they’re all the same. They inspire, they encourage, they lift up the weak hearts. As women it is ingrained in our souls to share, to listen to each other, to empathize and re-live moments through each other.
They are PROOF that what you’re trying to accomplish is possible!
You’ve read my stories, now I want to hear yours. When I’m pregnant, each time, I LOVE reading mother’s birth stories because I feel like I’m right there with them. I experience their pain and joy as well because I understand. Even if you haven’t had the experience of giving birth yet, you WILL understand a little more each time you read a loving story.
What courses have you taken that you enjoyed? What books were helpful you too? What techniques worked for you? Please use the comments below to let us know how you made it through your natural delivery and enliven others to do the same for their children.
I Can Tell You That This Book Worked for Me
Share your story below or send me a note. I look forward to reading with you!
This story was originally shared by Missi on the Precipitous Labor - Birth Without Waiting thread, but I wanted to share it here.
Missi said:
I had a precipitous birth with my first child – 3 hours 40 minutes from the first contraction to her being in my arms in the hospital. My husband was asleep, and I woke him up an hour or so into labor. While he was in the shower I went through transition, and all of a sudden my body started pushing! I let him know that we needed to leave the hospital NOW – and clung to the passenger seat of the car while he drove to the hospital and I said over and over, “baby stay in! baby stay in!”
The nurses didn’t believe when I told them that I was pushing, and asked me for a pee sample and to change into the hospital gown. When the nurse did finally check me she said, “DON’T DO ANYTHING.” My midwife arrived 10 minutes before the baby was born, my doula 20 minutes before.
Early labor I handled okay, but once I went through transition things felt out of control and very scary. When my daughter was born I was just so overwhelmed that I had my husband hold her for the first couple of hours while I cried.
NOW, I am 35 weeks pregnant with my second. I have received the “how lucky” comment from people, but I’m so thankful that my doula and midwife are offering me tons of support and understand my fear. I had two contractions the other night and started crying – I wasn’t ready, and I was terrified to “wait and see” how the contractions developed or didn’t.
While I had intended an unmedicated birth with my first (good thing, because that was the only option), with this pregnancy I’m considering being induced with an epidural, because I just… want… time. Time to get to the hospital. Time for my support and medical people to be present. Time for my brain to get a handle on what is happening. Anyway, we’ll see what happens.
Sarah replied:
Dear Missi, isn’t it just so crazy how fast things can happen? I’m amazed that you made it in time. You should read my third birth story I had just two months ago, 2.5 hour labor, was needing to push in the car just like you.
I promise that the second is easier, mentally and physically. You’ve been in a position of strength that was just so overwhelming you didn’t know how to process it. But now your body and mind knows what to expect. Give hope to that and have faith that your support system will be there for you. You are an AMAZING woman that has endured wonderfully difficult things. You can do hard things and you will be great this time around.
If you have a midwife and doula, have you considered simply birthing at home? Then there’s no additional fear of getting to the hospital on time. If you want to understand the risks of birthing at home, they aren’t much different in terms of safety for you and your baby than at the hospital.
Please let me know how things turn out! I’m excited for you and wish you the best. Do you have any questions too? Good luck Missi!
This story was originally shared by Ruth in the Precipitous Labor - Birth Without Waiting post, but I wanted to share it here.
Ruth said:
Hi Sarah,
Here’s a funny coincidence: Just yesterday my midwife told me, given the speed of my first labour, that as soon as my waters break this time, the baby will be here almost immediately – just like the opening line of your post. I didn’t think ‘How wonderful’. I just about burst into tears!
My first labour was – thankfully – not as intense as I know other precipitate labours can be. I did have a break between contractions and some time to prepare for each one. But it was quick. My waters broke without any warning at all – no preceding contractions – at 5:30. I had two contractions at home starting at 6:00, one in the car, and two in the hospital waiting room, which my husband measured and noted lasted a minute each at two minutes apart. I was examined after that second hospital contraction and was nine centimeters dilated. My son was in my arms by 8:00.
As far as precipitous labours go, it was good. The pain wasn’t too intense because I had breaks between contractions. But it was frightening. I didn’t even know I was in labour until I was on the delivery bed (I’d been told that because I didn’t have any contractions before my waters broke that it probably wasn’t my waters at all). I had no time to get used to the idea that it was happening, to the point that I panicked when I had a show after my examination, and started crying, telling everyone something must be terribly wrong with my baby.
I didn’t experience any physical shock, but I was certainly reeling emotionally for weeks afterward. Like many posters here, I’d never heard of precipitate labour. My mum and sister both had long labours – especially with their first babies – as had all my friends. I was geared up for a marathon.
I know all labours are challenging, but as some one who’s had a precipitate labour, it’s VERY hard to hear people say ‘Lucky you’. Which is another reason why my midwife almost made me cry yesterday. Instead of saying that, she stopped, gave me her attention and said ‘How did you feel about that?’
Your article had almost the same effect. So thank you for putting it out there and helping people learn that quick labour isn’t necessarily a wonderful thing.
Sarah replied:
So this was your first child, I gather. Have you had any other children since then? I imagine that you were more aware and mentally prepared with your next babies. It’s so difficult to realize that we are NOT just like our mothers or other relatives when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, at least not most of the time. And yet we ALWAYS assume that that is how things are going to be for us.
My mother was always terribly sick during her pregnancies, all three trimesters and had difficult births. So I expected the same for myself, preparing for the inevitable. But it turns out that we’re quite the opposite in many ways. Oh, there are things we’ve experienced in common, of course, but not 100%, for sure.
It’s also hard when we don’t know how were going to mentally respond to the experience the first time around. It’s just a BIG moment with such intensities that even a mother who’s very mentally and emotionally healthy and in control can become something much different after the experience of childbirth. But I also believe that we are built for it and are able to adapt and overcome far better than a male could. It’s just working trough everything surrounding it as well.
Thank you so much for sharing, Ruth. I’m glad that you were able to recover emotionally from the entire experience and were willing to let others know about it too. So you’re expecting again? Please let me know if I can be of any help or support. I’m so glad that you visiting today and left your comments. They make such a huge difference for other mothers as well that may be going through the exact same things. We need to always help each other that way.
If you haven’t seen it yet, give the post Overcoming Fear In Childbirth a look. I imagine that this isn’t a fear issue for you at all, but rather a disappointing circumstance you’ve come to accept. But, hopefully, you find something that will be able to hep buoy you up at this time.
I wish you the best!
This story was shared by Lis, a visiting reader, originally on the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Steps for Better Labor post. But I wanted to share it here:
Yes, I was lucky to deliver naturally. It was a long labour but I was determined not to have anything invasive as I was afraid it would affect the baby.
All I had was a little gas and air, which I did not like because it made me feel dizzy.
Anyway, my daughter was born fit and healthy. It was the most amazing experience to give birth naturally and I would fully recommend it to everyone who is able to deliver this way.
This story was shared by Vanessa, a visiting reader, originally on the Precipitous Labor - Birth Without Waiting post. But I wanted to share it here:
Vanessa says:
my first baby was my son. I was having pains for 48 hours before he was born. They did say that when I went into the final stage it was quite quck for a first baby but i was so out of it I just kept asking if I could go home!
Can we come back and do this later please.
My elder daughter was fast. We arrived at the hospital at about 2 and they told me I was hardly dilated and I would be a long time yet. The pains seemed very severe and I was told off “for making a fuss” (2nd time mums should really know better). However the pain suddenly felt very different and I called to my husband who was on the phone at the time and the midwife came bustling in again rather huffy. I put my hand between my legs instinctively and felt my beautiful babys head. It was Kinda weird because I kept being told it was not happening so I remember thinking What is That? My daughter was born by 445. She slipped out, barely had time to shout catch.
So with my 3rd we were all more prepared. The pains started when my husband was at work and my sweet 3 year old son patted my back as I doubled up in pain and made my way to the phone. A midwife was at my house in minutes and told my husband to follow us there we needed to get to the hospital NOW. I was barely dilated but this time they listened and were aware that this meant nothing . Sure enough my daughter was born within 1 and a half hours of labour starting.
Yes, overall I am glad it was quick. It is a bit of a shock to the system though and I do believe it is a lot more painful. However I was not against using gas and air – natural birth to me meant pushing baby out. not drug free pushing it out! I did not actually get gas and air with the second, as we did not have time.
Sarah says:
Wow Vanessa! Thank you for sharing. It amazing how different our births can be from each one to the next.
I’ve heard about using gas to help with relaxation, but I hadn’t looked into it just yet. Sorry you had a nurse that seemed irritable when you really were so much farther along.
It’s amazing what the body can do in such a short amount of time. You definitely had precipitous births with your second two.
I appreciate your candor and am glad to hear from someone who has experienced this. You’ve been a great help to many!
This story was shared by Jesse, a visiting reader, originally on the Considering Home Birth? Safety Is The Question post. But I wanted to share it here:
Great post Sarah. My wife and I actually had our last child at home with a midwife and as worried as I was at first, it turned out to be the absolute best experience ever. I have had 2 children born in hospitals prior and I wish we had them all at home. There really was nothing like the comfort of home for the whole thing and being able to just enjoy your new bundle of joy in that comfort zone was a blessing.
This story was shared by Tanya, a visiting reader, originally on The Birth Relaxation Kit Makes Hypnobirthing Easy post. But I wanted to share it here:
Tanya says:
I have a few friends that are expecting and are talking about ways to make a natural childbirth more relaxing. I will pass this article on to them. I was induced with my first and my second came out so quick I didn’t have the option of an epidural (although I did ask for one). I was so stressed and anxious because the nurse assured me there was lots of time for me to get the epidural. If I would have known I wouldn’t be getting one I would have prepared myself more. It sounds like I could have used some tips from the birth relaxation kit.
Sarah says:
How quick was your labor with the second one? You may have had a precipitous labor that can run in families. If you’d like to share your story, feel free on our stories page.
Thanks for sharing Tanya and I look forward to hearing from your friends if they have any questions. They’ll enjoy the Birth Relaxation Kit. Best!
Tanya says:
I was in labour for several hours when the doctor decided to break my water (I was 4cm dialated). My son was born about 4 hours after my water was broken. I told my husband to find the nurse so I could get my epidural (this was about 3 hours after my water broke) and the nurse came in to say that there was still lots of time. I told her that I felt like I had to push and she brushed it off. She decided to check to see if I had dilated anymore to put my mind at ease. She then said “oh, you are right, you do need to push. There is no time for an epidural now”. Not how I had envisioned things.
Sarah says:
Don’t you love it when the nurses don’t believe you? With my second boy, after they broke my water at 7cm, I had one LONG contraction for like three minutes. Then she walked out and said I’d be ready to push in about an hour or so and she’d come back then.
Right after she walked out I was ready to push. My husband brought her back in and she had a skeptical look on her face. Then she checked me and I had gone to 10cm in those 5 minutes! You think they’d have seen everything and be open to all possibilities. It’s hard when everything doesn’t go exactly the way we want.
Even though that’s not how you envisioned things Tanya, now you know that you could do it again if needed and that you got through it all! Usually pushing isn’t as painful as transitional labor. Thanks for sharing!
This story was shared by Gary, a visiting reader, originally on the Overcoming Fear Of Childbirth post. But I wanted to share it here:
Hi
as a father of two i loved your posts for women and their fears on childbirth. I was honored to deliver my second child at home on the bathroom floor as the snow feel and the ambulance struggled to get to us in time.
at that time it was my wife and myself who had to cope with the labour and ease my wife’s fear of doing it all on her own but i have to say she was amazing and after my daughter was finally born all the worries had disappeared. what i am trying to say is the end result far outweighs the fear in the end and your post relays that.
kindest regards
Gary
This story was shared by Daniella, a visiting reader, originally on the Late Pregnancy Symptoms Before Going Into Labor post. But I wanted to share it here:
Hi Sarah,
Very nice article, I really liked it. I have to children and both of them was born exactly on the date the Doctor said to me. I was really surprise because many women give birth before or after. My baby boy was the first one and it was more scary than painful . I was so scare that I took the epidural , which I regret today because I did not feel the contraction anymore and it was hart for me to push. My baby girl came so fast that I did not have the time to take any medicine and I am really proud of me.
If I would have to do it again I would definitely give birth in the water.
Thank you for this great article.
This story was shared by Sarah A., a visiting reader, originally on the Overcoming Fear Of Childbirth post. But I wanted to share it here because it is SUCH a compelling perspective:
My daughter is now 13 months old. I had a terrible pregnancy in some ways as I was sick the whole way through. In other ways, I loved it – especially the final trimester. I was no longer sick in the final two months of my pregnancy but I didn’t get that big and so I had a great deal of energy and was able to really connect with my growing baby inside of me.
I research everything I do in detail – and this was no different! I researched birth options to the nth degree – and surprised myself by being quite a “hippie” mother. When it came down to it, I wanted to have the most natural birth I could possibly have – minimal interventions. I live in a country where doctors rather than midwives deliver babies and due to reasons not related to the childbirth itself, birth often goes the way of intervention rather quickly. My husband and I took prenatal classes through the hospital where we were giving birth. We also took hypnobirthing classes. I chose a doctor who was pro-natural birth and a hospital where the same was true. I wrote a very specific birth preferences document, met with the midwives at the hospital and shared that with them and my doctor prior to birth.
12 days after my due date, I had dilated but was showing no signs of going into labour. My doctor was very supportive of my wish to leave it till I naturally started to labour but it just didn’t happen. And so we decided reluctantly to induce my daughter – three attempts later and my daughter still refused to arrive but after the third attempt she went into distress!
And I never experienced labour… I went straight into surgery and my daughter was born in the early hours of the 13th day after her due date – arriving by C-Section! I had been warned that she would choose how she would arrive and that I needed to let go of my need to have a completely natural birth. In some ways, my preparation could have made me feel disappointed and negative about my experience. However, by using hypnobirthing techniques even though I didn’t get my hypnobirth, I was able to accept the birth that I did have. Everything around the experience was amazing – we had skin-to-skin straight after, I breastfed straight after birth. Everything I asked for was taken into account and I would call the birth of my daughter a positive and amazing experience. The fact that it didn’t go to plan was irrelevant.
It turned out that due to a short cord that was wrapped around her neck and stomach several times, she would have never have been able to have been born naturally. So I am sooooo grateful that C-Sections are available – I don’t know whether she would have made it in the days when CS’s didn’t exist!
I am glad I was able to let go off my wishes to have a natural birth. I know many ladies who have seen this as a negative and therefore have a negative perception of their birth day – which i find so sad. The day my daughter was born was one of the very best days of my life and I could never see this day in a negative light!
By the way, my daughter still does what she wants and when she wants… I am thinking she was showing her personality off!!
Thanks for the lovely article! Anything that can help new (or second/third/4th…. time mothers) to prepare and yet remain open to what will happen on birth day has my vote!
Sarah
And here was my response to her story:
Oh WOW, Sarah. That is such a wonderful perspective that you share. There are SO many mothers out there that feel if they’re birth doesn’t happen naturally and as they have planned, that they’re a failure–which is absolutely NOT true. Because of your preparation, your baby is that much healthier and you were mentally and emotionally strong for whatever circumstances you went through. I appreciate your honesty, candor and the fact that you wanted to share. I hope all mother who read this will find joy and hope in their own lives about their births and be every grateful for it. Thank you so much!
Then she also wanted to add:
Thank you Sarah! I just want to add that I definitely put down my ability to deal with whatever came my way to the hypnobirthing course I took. And I am pleased to see that is what you recommend…! Sarah A
Sarah A mentioned that she wouldn’t have gotten through her journey without the confidence she gained through Hypnobirthing techniques. My #1 Recommended program for relaxation through your childbirth is a Hypnobirthing Relaxation Kit. You can learn more here and get yours instantly after deciding that it will work well for you. Best!
Walt Deal says
Hi Sense I am a male I can only write about what I read on your site The lay out is very nice and you have a great nich
Thank you. I hate visiting a site that just instantly makes you uncomfortable by the look and design. I’m glad to know that how I’ve got it set up is nice for you and others who visit.
Darren Martin says
Love the look of this site. The content is great. My wife and I have had 6 children, so we have experienced much of what you are talking about. We will give the site to our oldest daughter and son because they are getting married soon and will have children. Thanks for the good and informative site.
Thanks for sharing Darren. Feel free to post your stories of your births to show support for others with goals for the same. Best!
Michelle says
Hi Sarah. I suppose you could say I was one of those who didn’t have great childbirth stories. I almost died having my first, and yet, after going through such trauma, I fell in love with my son instantly. My doctor warned me not to have anymore children, but I didn’t want my son growing up without a sibling. I did the unthinkable (for my situation) and became pregnant a second time. Yes, it was also not your happy childbirth story, but I am happy to say I lived to tell about it. Not only do my kids have each other, but I am blessed to have two very healthy teenagers that I love dearly. Would I do it again? Yes, because I always wanted to be a mom and was willing to risk my own life to do so. There is nothing more fulfilling than having children!
Thank you SO much for sharing, Michelle. I’ve met people that refuse to have children because of what they feel it will ‘take away’ from their life.
But as you said it, the true joy in life is in our posterity and being truly selfless for them. I would NEVER take back having my boys, they are the greatest joys that have been brought to my life.
I haven’t experienced a hard delivery as you have, but I would absolutely go through it again for them and children to come. I appreciate all you’ve shared.