How To Rock Your Labor & Delivery – Part 2 –
Both of my labors were natural but the first one was because it was too late to get an epidural. I was planning on going natural, but when I was actually in labor the first time I told my husband that I need an epidural as soon as we got to the hospital.
Long story short, by the time we got to the hospital I was already 10 cm dilated and had no time to get an epidural. I had no choice but to start pushing. Arwen (first born) was posterior when she was born so I had back labor the entire time too. I just didn’t know it.
With Ember (second born), when I got to the hospital I was already 8 cm dilated and she was posterior too. I knew this time that I was having back labor again because it felt the same as it did with Arwen’s labor. The midwife asked me if I wanted an epidural, but because I already went through labor without it for my first labor I knew I could go through labor naturally again.
What made a difference with my most recent labor was that I felt in control the entire time, knew what to do, and used tips that helped me from my first labor. After my second labor, I wrote down everything that helped me this time so I could share with my friends and have the tips for myself the next time I have another baby!
Support System
Having a support system is HUGE when it comes to labor. No matter how many times you’ve been through labor. My biggest support was my husband, but for you it could be your mom, sister, or best friend!
Besides family members or friends, I also believe that having a doctor/midwife/doula that you fully trust is another key to a successful delivery.
If I could have, I would have chosen to hire a doula because I’ve heard so many wonderful things. The only reason we didn’t hire one was because they weren’t covered by our health insurance and our local ones were pretty pricey.
Birth Plan
Writing out a birth plan is helpful to you and whoever is going to be with you during delivery. I went over my birth plan with my husband both pregnancies so he knew what my wishes were in case I wasn’t able to respond.
Writing out your birth plans can also be like writing out your goals. Just writing down that I wanted to give birth naturally made me want to achieve that goal even more.
Just remember, if you know you want to get an epidural, then write that down! There is nothing wrong with choosing to get an epidural. I’ve had many friends who got epidurals for every single labor and they wouldn’t change a thing!
Motivational Posters
The poster and encouragement pages were something I found on Pinterest before going through my first labor and delivery. I’m glad I found the idea because I found some quotes that were really helpful to me during labor. I included motivational quotes, pictures, and pretty things to look at.
Each contraction is one contraction closer to meeting your new baby.
– Unknown
Music Play List or Movie
My labor playlist on Spotify was unfortunately never used, but I did watch a movie while I was in labor. The movie gave me a nice distraction while I was laboring at home and was resting between the contractions.
Exercise Ball
Exercise balls were life savors for both of my pregnancies, and especially with my second labor. While my husband was packing the car up to leave for the hospital I sat on the ball and waited. The ball really helped with relieving my back pain.
Hot Shower or Water Birth
Hot showers and baths are another great way to help with pain management. I’ve never done a water birth before, but it looks like it would help with relaxing during labor. I’d like to look into it more next time.
The tips I list below are the tips that I will definitely be using for all of my future labor and deliveries.
Low Moaning
When I started contracting with my second labor, I realized I was naturally low moaning during it. I noticed that the low moaning helped me manage the pain of the contraction.
Cold Wet Washcloth
I discovered this trick by accident and I am so glad I did! I am one of the many women who threw up during transition of labor. It was not as bad for my second labor, but the nurse handed me a washcloth so that I could wipe my face off between contractions.
Before I could give the washcloth back to the nurse I had a contraction. To my surprise the cold wet washcloth was a really nice distraction. It was amazing how I could focus on the contraction and the coldness of the washcloth both at the same time. It made the contractions easier to manage because my mind was focusing on something besides the contraction too!
Position
Both of my labors were back labors due to being in the posterior position, and I gave birth in the side-laying position. Arwen was born posterior, but Ember flipped to anterior position right before coming out thanks to the peanut ball.
I really liked the side-laying position because I felt like I could rest in between contractions and could still push effectively when it was time to push.
Peanut Ball
The peanut ball did wonders for me. This ball helped with opening up my hips during labor and it provided me with such relief! Plus, it helped Ember to turn to be in the anterior position in a matter of a few minutes.
Walking
As I walked through the hospital doors, the receptionist looked at me in horror and asked if I wanted a wheelchair. Maybe it’s different for some people, but the thought of being in a chair while contracting didn’t sound like a good idea to me. I kept on walking and just leaned against a wall or railing while I experienced a contraction.
Talking
During my most recent labor I was in constant communication (except when I was contracting) with my husband, midwife, and nurses during active labor. I could tell them what I needed and hold a conversation which was really great! Talking was nice for the time between contractions because I wasn’t dreading or thinking about the upcoming contraction. It also provided a relaxing atmosphere for all of us in the room.
Breathing
You will no doubt hear about breathing techniques if you take a labor and delivery class. The breathing technique was a struggle for me during my first labor. I would just tense up during the contraction which prevented my cervix from opening up effectively compared to when I was relaxed.
During my second labor when my contraction would start I clenched my husband’s hand. My instinct was to tense up just like I did with Arwen’s labor. However, my husband gently blew air in my face to remind me about the breathing. It worked as a reminder and it was a total game-changer with relaxing during contractions.
Because I breathed through each of my contractions my body opened up quickly, and I only had to push twice. This could be a good practice to do with your labor support person before labor starts.
If you’ve had a baby before, what are your tips you share with other moms-to-be? I’d love to hear them!
I was a labor and delivery nurse for years. One of the nurses I worked with that had been there a long time, taught me pressure point relief too. It did wonders. Like if a woman is having back labor and sitting on the edge of the bed, push her knees towards her back (like to straighten the spine). That helped a lot.
Very interesting! I never heard about pressure point relief but sounds wonderful for during labor. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
OMG yeeesssss! That shower though, absolutely life-saving.
I have four kids. One not biologically mine, two born with an epidural, and one born with no medication. Let me say that, without the shower or a warm bath, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I sat in that shower for hours with the shower head pressed to my belly. My husband sat outside of it and talked to me. I didn’t get out until I entered transition and got overheated.
I opted out of a natural birth with my fourth, mostly because I was in a hospital with her and knew I couldn’t resist the temptation. My natural delivery was in a birth center. I’ve always wondered though, what were the differences between your two natural deliveries. Did these same things work for both, or did you hate some and love some with each?
That’s neat that you have experienced a natural labor and two with epidurals! My MIL had natural, epidural, and C-section so she has experience with all types of labors! With my first labor I was just so sick for most of labor and tense until I started pushing. The first labor is kind of a blur, but I remember liking walking until transition for both labors and liking the side laying position for pushing. With my second labor it went really well that I’m hoping to do most of everything I did but maybe try a new position or water birth. It will be interesting to see how the third labor and delivery goes (hopefully not too soon haha) 😉
My first was an epidural, second was natural, and third an epidural (but almost natural by accident!) Somce I had delivered naturally, the nurses didn’t understand when I said it was only 8/10…because I knew what 10 felt like. I kept telling them how close I was. I got the epidural put in and she was here 15 minutes later 😂🤷♀️
Wow! 15 minutes! Barely made it in time then haha 😀 Are you done having kids? If not, do you think you will get epidurals for the rest or try to go natural again?
So glad I found this series!!
🙂 I hope it helps!