Natural Childbirth and Home-birthing for Non-hippies

Natural childbirth and home-birthing is for anyone who wants to embrace them as their birthing experience of choice! This is certainly not an option that limits itself to the “hippies” and free-thinking “flower children” of the 60s and 70s.

I was as far from either of these labels as one could get when I made the decision to give birth in the comfort of my own home. I was, in fact, a straight A, preppy, 17 year old first time mother fresh from the Christian Academy (pleated plaid uniforms and all). Home birth may indeed have been the most free-spirited thing I ever attempted!

It was also one of the most rewarding things I ever accomplished. Having since given birth twice in the hospital environment due to minor complications, I can appreciate all the more the benefits of this natural setting.

I began my quest for the most relaxed birth environment I could have by finding a midwife that I was comfortable with. We were nothing alike at all, but something just drew me to her. She did happen to be a “hippie” and I learned so much about myself and my body through her patient teachings.

She taught me many techniques throughout my pregnancy that led me down the path to a successful, peaceful, and less painful birth. I did not need an epidural, an episiotomy, or anything to speed up the labor process. I only needed my own strength and the endurance that God has granted women since the beginning of time to get through this beautiful time.

My midwife taught me the importance of exercise. Keeping your entire body in the best physical condition possible cannot be stressed enough. More than just keeping you strong and flexible, this will enhance your mental and emotional state, as well. Being careful, however, not to overdo it is equally important. I walked almost everywhere I went. The fresh air and exercise were so very beneficial.

The next thing that she taught me was how to avoid an episiotomy or worse yet, a tear to the vaginal skin. She had me massage vitamin E oil into the perineum area, gently stretching it in preparation for the baby’s passage. I am a small women and my babies were 8 to 10 pounds apiece, yet my body was able to accommodate them just fine on its own.

I found a birthing class that was specifically for home-birthing and met many other couples of various backgrounds and lifestyles that were able to give pointers and support. For some, this was their first class and for others, a refresher course. This second group came with the added benefit of stories and experiences to share.

Between these classes and my midwife, I learned focus and breathing techniques that assisted in the pain management quite well when the time came. I also used a type of “disassociation” wherein I spoke softly to myself as if I were coaching someone else throughout the labor. In this way, I mentally removed myself from much of the pain.

Most of my labor, I chose to be alone in my bedroom. I was able to use these various techniques effectively and my labor was about 8 hours, with only the last one truly painful and the prior 7 being uncomfortable. I slept through much of it off and on, waking when my water finally broke like a dam being loosed from my body. I called the midwife and my husband in and began the next step.

After a short pushing phase, I was holding the most beautiful baby girl I had ever laid my eyes on. There was no thought left of the pain, the discomfort, or the weariness that had been there a moment before. I was not groggy from narcotic pain relief. No doctors were rushing around, breaking into our first moments together. No nurses taking my daughter away for immediate bathing, testing, weighing, etc.

I was simply a mother, gazing into the eyes of God’s greatest miracle and falling in love like never before.