For me, giving birth was easy thanks to the breathing I learned in a prenatal class. I don’t know how I would have handled it otherwise…
How I Wanted My ChildBirth to Be
When I was pregnant and read birth stories (not to mention watching birth videos!), I got scared. I wasn’t really afraid of the actual labor and delivery, but more of the pain. Since I had heard so much good about breathing training, I took a class, and I’m so glad I did!
My secret wish for giving birth was that I was that I give birth close to my D-day, that the labor and delivery would go fast, and that I wouldn’t panic from the pain. Strange enough, it all happened.
To the Hospital and Back…
4 days before my delivery date, we went to bed early. I had a hard time falling asleep and after one hour I went to the bath room – all of a sudden my water broke! I called the hospital and was told that we could wait up to eight hours at home if we wanted to and if my contractions were not too strong.
I wanted to check that everything was fine though, so we drove there and had me and my baby checked. Everything was fine, and we went back home. It was now in the middle of the night, but I couldn’t really fall asleep – I was very excited!
And Back to the Hospital Again!
After one more hour I started to have painful contractions. I went up and into the shower, where I stood; practicing my breathing while my husband was asleep. A strange feeling.
Really quickly, the contractions were only 3 or 4 minutes apart, and I went into my husband to wake him up. He didn’t believe me at first and asked me to calm down and get back to bed! Actually, I think he got quite nervous.
We went to the hospital despite that they had told us that we could stay at home for a while more if we wanted to, and I’m so glad we did. When the nurse examined me it turned out that I was fully dilated!
This was only three hours after my first contraction. My breathing worked really well, but now I also used laughing gas, which was great.
Delivery – Giving Birth Was Easy Thanks to the Breathing!
Suddenly the contractions changed and I tried to start pushing. That was hard! The nurse told me to try a birth stool, which worked better. After 25 minutes, our son was born, 3, 5 kg, and 52 cm. I had a few stitches, but not many.
I just wanted to tell you all that breathing is best! It hurt a lot, sure, but I could handle it. I don’t think I would have without taking that prenatal class. I think I can honestly say that giving birth was easy this time.
Who knows about the next time, but I will definitely take a prenatal class again!
Thanks for reading my birth story,
Lydia
More Natural Birth Stories
- Beautiful Natural Childbirth
- 3 Natural Births – 4th Baby On The Way
- Easy Natural Childbirth, First Time Mom
- Young Mom With Quick First Labor
- Second Baby In A Hurry
- Quick First Labor, No Pain Relief
Or head over to our main Birth Stories Section to read about other types of birthing experiences…
If you want to share your own birth story, please send it in by using the contact form on this page.
And if you have any questions or thoughts on using breathing during childbirth or any comments, please share below!
Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.
