Meg's Story...
There was chaos all around me as I arrived at the hospital and was already
in 2nd stage having controllable but definite urges to push. I had kept my
eyes closed during contractions throughout most of labor, and this
continued during second stage. With the chaos around me, there were
many voices, but those of my doula and midwife cut through the auditory
clutter. I knew and trusted them both, and that familiarity was very
comforting. I had specifically requested in my birth plan not to be coached
on pushing. I had visions of birth from movies with nurses & doctors
telling women to hold their breath and counting. Just the thought of this
was irritating to me. I know how to breathe, and how to push and work
with my body!
However, after a few good pushes, Jessica said, “Meg, if you want, you
can try a few pushes holding your breath.” I remembered that holding
your breath can give you a bit more power. (I think part of the benefit is
that the full lungs literally help push the baby downward.) I thought. “I
might as well give it a try!” Sure enough, I felt that it provided me a bit
more power, so I kept it up. I also appreciated the fact that she phrased it
as a suggestion rather than a command (I really didn’t want to feel
‘bossed around’ while in labor!) Later, she said, “Relax your bottom and
push from the middle.” I actually recall that I didn’t quite hear and
understand her. I asked, “What was that, Jessica?” And she repeated the
advice. Sure enough, I put her advice into action and felt an improvement.
The familiarity of her voice was a comfort. But additionally, I knew she had
experience with natural birth, both as a professional doula and having
given birth twice herself. While my midwives are very friendly to natural
birth, the fact remains that most moms do have epidurals. I would expect
a mom with an epidural needs more, and different coaching than a mom
who has full feeling of her body. This, combined with the fact that all the
nurses were complete strangers made it more difficult for me to be open
to their advice. So having the support of Jessica as my doula was
wonderful.
Meg & Kevin, Parents to Kirk
Natural birth in a hospital
There was chaos all around me as I arrived at the hospital and was already
in 2nd stage having controllable but definite urges to push. I had kept my
eyes closed during contractions throughout most of labor, and this
continued during second stage. With the chaos around me, there were
many voices, but those of my doula and midwife cut through the auditory
clutter. I knew and trusted them both, and that familiarity was very
comforting. I had specifically requested in my birth plan not to be coached
on pushing. I had visions of birth from movies with nurses & doctors
telling women to hold their breath and counting. Just the thought of this
was irritating to me. I know how to breathe, and how to push and work
with my body!
However, after a few good pushes, Jessica said, “Meg, if you want, you
can try a few pushes holding your breath.” I remembered that holding
your breath can give you a bit more power. (I think part of the benefit is
that the full lungs literally help push the baby downward.) I thought. “I
might as well give it a try!” Sure enough, I felt that it provided me a bit
more power, so I kept it up. I also appreciated the fact that she phrased it
as a suggestion rather than a command (I really didn’t want to feel
‘bossed around’ while in labor!) Later, she said, “Relax your bottom and
push from the middle.” I actually recall that I didn’t quite hear and
understand her. I asked, “What was that, Jessica?” And she repeated the
advice. Sure enough, I put her advice into action and felt an improvement.
The familiarity of her voice was a comfort. But additionally, I knew she had
experience with natural birth, both as a professional doula and having
given birth twice herself. While my midwives are very friendly to natural
birth, the fact remains that most moms do have epidurals. I would expect
a mom with an epidural needs more, and different coaching than a mom
who has full feeling of her body. This, combined with the fact that all the
nurses were complete strangers made it more difficult for me to be open
to their advice. So having the support of Jessica as my doula was
wonderful.
Meg & Kevin, Parents to Kirk
Natural birth in a hospital
| All rights reserved. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Trusting Our Bodies
For more information on The Bradley Method®, for an international listing of instructors or to contact the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth® directly, please contact: The Bradley Method®, Box 5224 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413-5224, 1-800-4-A-BIRTH
or 1-818-788-6662, www.bradleybirth.com
Husband-Coached Childbirth® directly, please contact: The Bradley Method®, Box 5224 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413-5224, 1-800-4-A-BIRTH
or 1-818-788-6662, www.bradleybirth.com
| Baby Kirk being immediately placed on Meg's chest by Kevin after his birth! |
| Meg looking at her newborn son who is only seconds old! |
| New father, Kevin, taking a good first look at his first born son! |
| Baby Kirk just minutes old bonding with Dad! |
| A father's first embrace... |
| After being sutured for a small tear and walking to the bathroom to clean up, Meg bonded with her beautiful baby boy! |
| Natural Childbirth Classes & Birth Doula Services |