justsimplymom.com

My biggest advice for childbirth is to ask the nursing and medical staff questions and stay updated on your progression.

During my first delivery, there were a lot of issues with heart rate and blood pressure, and I felt like the doctors and nurses weren’t informing me enough on what was going on. I wanted to make sure everything was going smoothly, so I felt the need to ask a lot of questions.

I wanted them to explain what the machines were telling them, what my vitals were reading, what the baby’s heart rate was, how dilated I was, etc. It made me feel more in control of my own labor that way.

goldenslumbersphotos.com 

I had an epidural with all three of my children. With my first child, I wanted to try for a natural birth. Unfortunately, I had back labor and the pain was intolerable. Do not feel guilty about getting an epidural. It made my labor and delivery a very relaxing and enjoyable experience. With my following two children, for me, the epidural was a fantastic, painless option!

bottlesandscrubs.com  

I was induced and had epidurals with both my girls, but each labor was so different.  With my first, I was induced for 24 plus hours with no pain relief offered and progressed very slowly.

With my second, I was given an epidural before induction, and delivered 11 hours later only pushing twice.

I really believe that having the pain relief, and being able to relax and rest while my body was working vs being stressed, tense and in so much pain, made my labor progress so much faster!

holesinyoursocks.com

Know what you want (as far as your birth plan goes), but be open to the unexpected. Childbirth rarely goes exactly as planned! I went from aiming for a natural birth to getting an epidural because I was so exhausted to needing a c-section because it turns out my baby was 10 1/2 lbs! But here we are, healthy and happy, and I’m none the worse for it. ❤️

mamabuzzblog.com 

As a first time mom, I learned that no matter how prepared you think you are, you also need to open your mind for possible outcomes.

I have been active for the most part during my pregnancy, and I joined prenatal childbirth classes and prenatal yoga .

I didn’t have pregnancy related concerns but at the end of the day, I knew I had to prepare myself if an emergency c-section is advised.  As long as both mom and baby are safe, your childbirth is still the greatest story you’ll ever have.

halfstayathomemom.com   

 Just because you’re going to have or have had an epidural birth does not mean you’re not strong. I’ve had three epidural births, and I feel great about them. Things don’t always go as planned during labor, so just do the best you can!

realmomrecs.com  

I knew I would most likely want an epidural during labor, but I wanted to try and hold off as long as possible to minimize interventions and complications.

My best advice would be to learn pain management techniques even if you are planning on having an epidural! Sometimes it takes a long time for the anesthesiologist to come administer it and you will be in a signficant amount of pain while waiting. Other times you will be told it’s too early or too late to get it.

In my case, I took a birth class and learned breathing and relaxation techniques. The MOST helpful thing was my husband applying counter pressure on my back with each contraction. It took away at least half of the pain and got me through the first 8 hours of labor without medication.

justasiamnow.com  

Your voice should be the loudest one in the room. Not just because of all the grunting, groaning and screaming, but because your voice matters the most. Trust your instincts! Know that you have the right to decline anything, both interventions and medications, that you don’t want, as long as it’s not blatantly putting you or your baby at risk. Do your research before hand, educate yourself, and develop your ideal birth plan, along with a back-up (because nothing ever seems to go as planned!) If you are a soft spoken, avoid confrontation like the plague kinda girl like me, enlist people as backup. Have people in your corner who know exactly what you want, people who are willing to stand up for you when you need them. Whether it be a doula, your husband or a friend, have them there.

As far as the labor itself, the biggest thing that helped me with labor was focusing on my breathing. By taking slow, deep, deliberate breaths with each contraction, I was able to stay relaxed and allow things to open up. 

Also concentrating on one contraction at a time is helpful. Knowing that as each contraction passed I was one step closer to meeting my baby.

Related: Do You Know The 7 P’s For Successful Childbirth

katemartin.co  

Be flexible. I wanted nothing more than to have a natural birth. I wrote out a birth plan that included minimal medical intervention, letting me walk while I was in labor, and just letting my body do what it was made for.

I had to have an epidural when I developed complications and it looked like I was going to possibly need an emergency C-section – and it was either get the epidural or be put under general anesthesia and I wasn’t about to miss my daughter’s birth! Ultimately, how the baby gets here is not important – a healthy baby is what matters.

stellarwellness.se  

I had 4 babies in 4 years! 1 in London and 3 in Sweden. I’m expecting my 5th in July.

1. Practice deep breathing everyday. Inhale 4 counts, exhale 8 counts

2. Have positive affirmations written and posted around the room. (ex. I am calm and confident, what my mind believes, my body will achieve)

3. Ignore any negative birth stories from the media or well meaning friends, and surround yourself with positive birth images. Visualize your perfect birth but keep an open mind.

The above tips especially breathing, positive mindset and being in water, pool or shower helped me the first 48 hours of contractions!

supermompicks.com  

My number one tip to any mom who is hoping to get an epidural before the pain becomes intolerable is to let your nurse know that you definitely want an epidural as soon as you can have one.  This is so important since you need 2 IV bags of fluid in your system before you can get an epidural.

Speaking from a hard lesson learned, those IV drips take forever to get into your body! By letting your nurse know your wishes you can ensure that when you are ready to relieve the pain, you won’t have to wait longer than necessary.

thepostpartumparty.com 

Go into your childbirth experience with a loose plan of what your ideal situation would be. Then remember that you only have so much control over everything. It’s great to make a plan but also understand that your baby and your body have their own agenda sometimes. Part of motherhood means learning to let go a bit and realize that we only have so much control in most situations from here on out!

Remember that all that matters in the end is that you have a healthy baby and healthy mama! The rest is just details.

And also, get the epidural as soon as you think you want it. Don’t try and be a hero and wait for a certain number. Just get it and enjoy the relief! 

onmoxieandmotherhood.com 

I have breathed my way through three all natural childbirths now. For me, the key was to focus on each contraction as something good, because it’s getting me closer to the end of labor.

I learned between my first and second babies that keeping your body relaxed rather than tensed up, even during contractions, makes everything easier and avoids a lot of muscle soreness later.

As a contraction would come I would simply take deep breaths in and out, and wiggle my fingers and/or rock my legs back and forth, or sway if standing, to avoid tensing up my body. Doing this along with listening to music and stayed focused worked for me!

Related: How To Be Fearless During Natural Childbirth

withcoffeeandchaos.com

The best thing I did to help me achieve an all natural birth at home was to get in the right mindset.

This was what was going to happen and I would not have another option.

I also read Ina May Gaskin’s books and she teaches breathing through contractions with a relaxed mouth and jaw so your perineum can also be relaxed to open.

Low moaning and making sounds through labor helped me handle the pain of contractions!!

themamalade.com  

My labor lasted 3 hours and this was my first baby! I dedicate a lot of that to preparation before hand. Bouncing and doing hip rolls on a birthing ball during third trimester opened up my hips, strengthened my pelvic floor, and got baby into alignment. I highly recommend visiting a chiropractor trained in the Webster Technique during your pregnancy to help with alignment as well!

simplywellfamily.com  

My best advice for the woman who wants to have an unmedicated birth is to get through each contraction, one at a time. Focus on the contraction you are having at that moment. Find a position that works best for you, then moan, groan, and breathe through it. When you feel like you just can’t do it anymore, know that you are doing it! One contraction at a time, YOU ARE DOING IT!

loveeveryaspect.com  

So the biggest thing that helped me was my husband would watch the contractions monitor.

He would tell me when a big one was coming and instruct me to breathe through it.

It honestly helped control my breathing and not tense my whole body.

christinekeys.net 

I was able to have natural childbirths with all three of my children.

The first piece of advice I would give would be to keep moving. As long as it doesn’t tire you out too much, stay on your feet or at least in a semi-upright position. It’ll help baby get into the optimal position for birth.

And secondly, count how many breaths it takes to get through a contraction. When you’re having a contraction, focus on your breathing, and it’ll help you get through it.

thecavemom.com  

Stay physically active during your pregnancy! Not only does it make the pregnancy easier (hello, energy boost!), but it prepares your body for an easier natural birth. And it helps speed recovery afterward!  

My fourth pregnancy was the first time I was very active (I walked and lifted weights 3x a week), and that birth was short (2 hours active labor!) and the recovery was a breeze compared to the others. Keep moving!

lookwhatlovemade.blog  

Set your environment in a manner that makes you feel calm and relaxed; hanging affirmation cards around the room, candles, birth safe essential oils, dimmed lights, a music playlist etc.

The most important tip I can give is choose your birth team wisely.

Don’t feel obligated to have a ton of people in the room or choose people because they are family and friends. Choose those who will be there for you solely, who won’t add stress to this experience, and will be ready to advocate if potentially necessary during the process.

mamashark.blog  

I have given birth naturally twice, and my biggest recommendations are:

1. Invest in a doula.  They are worth every penny- even if you have a supportive partner/spouse/friend.

2. Educate yourself.  Fear causes pain.  So know what to expect and your options so that you can minimize your fear of the unknown. 

3. Love yourself!  Your mental tape (the way you talk about yourself to yourself) will have a huge impact on your ability to stick with it.

motivationformom.com  

Don’t just expect to go with the flow, be prepared for childbirth.

Educate yourself, and decide what YOU want your birthing experience to be like.

I wish I would’ve been more educated about natural childbirth and pushed for an unmedicated birth, but I just sat back and did as the doctors directed.

Don’t just sit back!

Learning as much as you can will not only make you more confident in your decision, but it will help lessen the fear that comes along with childbirth. 

livecorestrong.com  

When you are nearing time to deliver your baby, my best advice for you is to trust in the Lord for He has given you strength to birth your baby.

Believe that you are capable and able to push and that your body was made for this. Have no fear, but have faith that your childbirth experience will be one of great reward and not struggle.

Focus your thoughts on holding your baby for the first time and how special that moment will be. And with each and every push, you know you are getting closer and closer to meeting your brand new child. You’re almost there, finish the race and push hard until the very end!

Related: 6 Pregnancy Exercises To Get You Ready For Labor And Delivery | VIDEO