Growing up I had always planned on getting an epidural during labor, but I found myself reevaluating that decision when I was actually pregnant for the first time. I did a lot of reading and talked to several friends who had experienced an unmedicated birth. This appealed to me and I decided I would also try to have a natural childbirth.
My husband was also supportive of this. We felt strongly that we would need extra support to help get us through labor. A family member had suggested we hire a doula. Luckily we listened to this advice and found ourselves meeting with Karen (Editor’s note: Karen was a previous doula at Peaceful Birth Choices and is now taking a break from birth work) a couple months before I was due.
Karen was very helpful even before I went into labor. She came to our home to meet us and to get an idea for our birth preferences and to answer questions. She also helped us become familiar with our birthing options and gave me suggestions on topics to discuss with my doctor before the big day. Most importantly, she helped me feel calm about labor. I knew she was a good fit for us.
We called Karen at 2 AM, two days before my due date, to tell her that my water had broken and that we were on our way to the hospital. She was there shortly after we arrived. She immediately was helping me feel comfortable by getting me drinks, offering suggestions to help my labor progress, and by providing many words of encouragement. My labor progressed very slowly at first and my doctor wanted to start Pitocin. This was one of my big concerns with labor and was something I absolutely did not want to do. With Karen’s help we had learned the importance of asking for more time before starting interventions. We also were aware of natural ways to help labor progress. We were fortunate that my labor did pick up on its own and Pitocin was not necessary. Karen and my husband were very involved during my labor by helping to manipulate my body into more comfortable positions during contractions. Karen was great at suggesting new positions for me to try. She was also able to guide my husband and help him know how to best help me. Karen was able to discern when I needed help, when my husband needed support, and when we needed privacy as a couple.
The birth of my son was such a beautiful experience for me and my husband. We will always feel a close connection with Karen since she was part of such an intimate moment in our lives. Since my experience with Karen was so positive I plan on doing natural childbirths with my future children, of course with the help of a doula! on getting an epidural during labor, but I found myself reevaluating that decision when I was actually pregnant for the first time. I did a lot of reading and talked to several friends who had experienced an unmedicated birth. This appealed to me and I decided I would also try to have a natural childbirth.
My husband was also supportive of this. We felt strongly that we would need extra support to help get us through labor. A family member had suggested we hire a doula. Luckily we listened to this advice and found ourselves meeting with Karen a couple months before I was due.
Karen was very helpful even before I went into labor. She came to our home to meet us and to get an idea for our birth preferences and to answer questions. She also helped us become familiar with our birthing options and gave me suggestions on topics to discuss with my doctor before the big day. Most importantly, she helped me feel calm about labor. I knew she was a good fit for us.
Woman delivers her baby un-medicated in the hospital with the support of a doula.
We called Karen at 2 AM, two days before my due date, to tell her that my water had broken and that we were on our way to the hospital. She was there shortly after we arrived. She immediately was helping me feel comfortable by getting me drinks, offering suggestions to help my labor progress, and by providing many words of encouragement. My labor progressed very slowly at first and my doctor wanted to start Pitocin. This was one of my big concerns with labor and was something I absolutely did not want to do. With Karen’s help we had learned the importance of asking for more time before starting interventions. We also were aware of natural ways to help labor progress. We were fortunate that my labor did pick up on its own and Pitocin was not necessary. Karen and my husband were very involved during my labor by helping to manipulate my body into more comfortable positions during contractions. Karen was great at suggesting new positions for me to try. She was also able to guide my husband and help him know how to best help me. Karen was able to discern when I needed help, when my husband needed support, and when we needed privacy as a couple.
The birth of my son was such a beautiful experience for me and my husband. We will always feel a close connection with Karen since she was part of such an intimate moment in our lives. Since my experience with Karen was so positive I plan on doing natural childbirths with my future children, of course with the help of a doula!