Miracles Through Natural Childbirth

A baby is a pure miracle …nature at its finest … a tiny bundle of cells the size of your thumb nail over the period of nine plus months grows into an amazing miracle that makes you laugh, cry, and never ceases to amaze you.  I have three amazing miracles at home.  I have 2 girls and a boy.  My family is complete.  Becoming pregnant was a journey in its self, but bringing these miracles into this world was another adventure I will never forget.

I had 3 natural childbirths.  That’s right, no meds or epidural to help me through those annoying and yes very painful contractions.  It was a decision I made the day I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I chose to have all three of my babies as hospital births just in case I, or the baby needed any kind of medical attention.

A lot of women look at me like I am crazy to have gone through an epidural free labor, not once, not twice, but three times.  Add to the mix of my so-called insanity, my kids range in age from 18 years, 4 years, to 20 months.  Yes, I pretty much started all over again with my second and third babies.  But we will get to that sweet chaos later on.

My first child was somewhat of a high-risk pregnancy.  I had issues with my placenta, so during my last trimester I had weekly ultrasounds.  In the end I was induced early.  I was terrified.  I was going to be a Mom!  The induction took rather quickly and the contractions came fast and furious.  8 hours later we had a baby girl.  She was stunning, full of life, strong, but so tiny.  She weighed 5 pounds 3.5 ounces.  My first miracle had arrived.

My second child, another girl, was a much different pregnancy and labor.  On the pregnancy side I was sick for about 9 months, and really hormonal (my poor husband!).  I was also induced with her, but this time I was a week and a half over due.  I had spoken to my doctor about my birth plan in advance and told her I was determined to have an all-natural labor.  She was very supportive and completely on my team.  In fact my whole family was unbelievably supportive.  I will admit it was no picnic giving birth to my second child.  The pain was more intense and she was a bigger baby.  But for me it was all about concentration and support.  I had incredible support from my husband, my parents, my daughter, and my mother-in-law.  My husband was my true champion.  I was able to count on him through it all, right until I pushed my little girl out … all 6 pounds and 11 ounces!

My third child sealed the deal – this was going to be my last baby!  Another hard and difficult pregnancy riddled with hospital visits and the flu, set the scene for a very eventful labor.  My little guy decided he was going to come on time and on his own.  I was at home with my 2 ½ year old daughter having what I thought were Braxton hicks.  Instead I was in labor … can’t get any more natural than that!  After 8 or so hours of painful contractions and intense back labor, our little boy was born … 7 pounds 5 ounces.

A lot of people have asked me why I chose to have natural births.  Even the medical residents at the hospital asked if they could witness my labors because they had never encountered a natural birth.  I was shocked, but intrigued.  But in my mind, these babies were such incredible miracles, I did not want to miss out on any of the magic.  I knew it was going to be painful, frustrating, and hard, but the reward in the end was worth it. I just had to breathe.  Pregnancy and labor are very difficult things to go through.  It’s not a competition. Every woman has the right to make her own decision on how she wants to go through it.  Taking medication or an epidural is not a cop-out but a personal choice that is right for you.  Giving birth is hard. In the end though, the support you have at your side is the best medication any woman needs.

Raising 3 kids is hard and crazy … raising an 18 year old, 4 year old, and a 20 month old is chaotic, loud, funny, loving, sweet, tiring, fun, and worth every second.  My kids are amazing people.  They each have their individual needs and Mommy is constantly on call.  But they are also very supportive of each other and the love in our house is never-ending and unconditional.  They are my 3 miracles and if I had to I would do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.