How?

My friend, Sarah Steele, asked me how I "found the strength to give birth naturally." So I decided to write down the many things I did in preparation for Noah's birth.

First, I read great books that truly inspired me. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is at the top of my list. In my opinion, this is a must read for every pregnant woman! Also on my reading list:

-Birthing From Within

-The Doula Guide to Childbirth

-The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

-Your Best Birth

-The Birth Partner

-Active Birth

I did NOT read books like "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

I watched "The Business of Being Born" and "Orgasmic Birth."

I took a six week childbirth preparation class through A Labor of Love. This was invaluable. Here's a description: "The purpose for our childbirth preparation classes is to help the couple become closer and communicative about their desires not only for labor and birth but for parenting and to learn to listen to their instinctive voice, and to allow their fears to be resolved prior to labor beginning. This release of fears enables a couple to enter their labor capable, confident, aware, prepared and informed. The class is not specific to one way of birthing or method of childbirth as we believe births unfold in an unexpected and unplanned way many times, and it is important to be able to make the "next best thing" decisions along the way. Instead of teaching one method we teach you at least twenty pain coping skills and practices that you may find useful. We offer the option of incorporating some guided imagery (hypnosis) for birth situations, some active birth postures and information on non-medical pain relief as well as medical. We try to impart a different way of thinking about your labor and birth- one without fear and with an enhancement of knowledge that helps to build communication skills not only between you as a couple but as well as with your care provider. You develop a team mentality instead of a "them and us" thinking.

We make our classes fun! We do some active learning through role playing, hands on teaching and practice. We have videos to watch, homework assignments that are fun and unique and we encourage students to ask questions and involve themselves fully in the process. Our curriculum includes learning a pain coping mindset and the techniques to help with pain in labor. We include some birth art and listening to birth stories as well as some hands on practice of positions that may facilitate a faster labor. You will learn about the mind body connection and its effect on labor, your birth place preparation- whether home or hospital, effective postures for birth and pushing, the companion's role (we offer an additional class for dads), informed consent and making decisions, playing the "Doing the Next Best Thing" game, postpartum adjustment, breastfeeding and care of the newborn and welcoming your newest addition to your family. We want you to leave our class talking throughout the week about the things you learned. We encourage you to explore ideas you may not have ever explored, deepening your awareness about your body, birth in general and your relationship. We want you to leave as an informed consumer, actively involved in the decisions that surround your birth."

I also took a breastfeeding class and parenting 101 class.

I hired a great doula.

I decided I preferred the care of a midwife over an OB and wanted a water birth. Did a lot of research to find a great match for me. Check out Intown Midwifery... "We strongly believe that the way a woman is supported and empowered during pregnancy and birth has effects that last a lifetime.

At Intown Midwifery, we encourage you to take an active role in making health choices for you and your family. We are passionate about providing evidence-based care and educating and empowering our patients through a holistic approach to prevention and good health. Our practice works collaboratively with physicians and health professionals in the community to safely deliver the best possible care for you and your family."

I got prenatal massages from the best massage therapist around, Harry Kramer.

I filled my mind with positive affirmations such as "my body knows how to give birth." I ignored people who tried to assure me I'd end up asking for an epidural.

I practiced pelvic rocking and squatting every day.

I'm really not afraid of pain and learned there is a big difference between being in pain and suffering. I never suffered since I was surrounded by the awesome support team I chose.

Giving birth naturally was the most empowering experience of my life! I'm going to quote my friend, Shawna, here:

"I never thought I needed to be 'empowered'. That was not a very compelling argument for me. But HOLY SHIT PEOPLE listen to me when I tell you how fucking EMPOWERING it is to feel every bit of your labor and a child come out of your body. Let me tell you about THAT kind of ADRENALINE. Let me tell you that there is in fact no greater high in the world than the one I felt lying in that hospital bed with half my junk hanging out of my whoha gazing at the child that had just been separated from me. Hoooooo-leeeeeeee - CRAP." Please read her entire post here!