My Natural Labor Story: How it all began

        I have really wanted to write down my whole labor story, for me, for you, and maybe even a daughter down the line who will ask for my advice and stories when her pregnancy time comes. I don't want my post to go TOO long, so I will break it down into the three stages of labor. For those who don't know too much about pregnancy and labor yet, I will give you some background. The first stage has three levels: early, active, and transition labor, where you are going through all those lovely contractions as your cervix is opening and getting ready to be able to have a baby come out. This stage is by far the longest. The second stage is right after the transition where your cervix is now fully dilated at ten centimeters and you are ready to push; this is the pushing stage. The last stage is right after birth; you have done all the hard work and the placenta just needs to be delivered.

 
    Helping Myself get into First Stage: Early Labor

      I am a very determined woman when I want to be, just ask my poor husband. 

As my due date approached, I wanted that baby out and in my loving embrace! A week and a half before my due date, I was looking up all things natural to help my labor come sooner rather than later. I ate and drank a bunch of pineapple juice (love making healthy Dole Whip, easy recipe here), did some acupressure, drank red raspberry leaf tea, had sex, and even walked up and down my stairs a bunch of times. I had been reading up on drinking castor oil which people swore by to start their labor. I had read and agreed that you shouldn't TRY and start labor BEFORE your forty weeks is up; why would you want your baby out before he is completely developed and ready to come out? All my natural encouragement would help speed up the process if baby was already ready. So Justin and I agreed to try the castor oil ON my due date, June 1st. I was really anxious to get this baby out by then. I knew my body was prepared since at my thirty nine week checkup I let them do a vaginal exam and I was two centimeters dilated and at least fifty percent effaced. This only really meant though that baby could come that day or still take a few weeks. My Bradley Method instructor (Rachel Benson, who I highly recommend if you live in Orange County) had recommended not even getting a vaginal exam early since it can cause false hope since even when you are a little dilated, no one can determine when you will actually go into labor. But of course I HAD to know, so I did the exam anyway, and was shocked I was two centimeters dilated. I hadn't felt any Braxton-Hicks contractions so far, so didn't know I could dilate without contractions. 

     All that being said, I was prepared to try my hardest to start this labor on my due date! Justin had the day off and I thought it would be an awesome story to say I had my baby on my due date (most don't come on the actual day). Another reason I wanted the baby out then, was so it didn't get larger for two more weeks and have to push out a HUGE baby...'nuff said. So castor oil is a natural laxative, which when it starts working on your intestines and bowels, it can help stimulate the start of contractions; again, IF your body is ready. My birthing center gave me a great recipe for taking it, since it is a thick oil and can definitely make you gag if you just take it straight. Some people take it mixed with orange juice or grapefruit, but I think you might like this recipe better:

Castor Oil Root-beer Float 

1 tbsp. castor oil

1/2 can of root-beer (I used Zevia Ginger Root-Beer soda since it's all natural and I believe you
shouldn't drink regular soda...DEFINITELY when you're pregnant.)

1 scoop of vanilla ice cream (I used Halo Top ice cream since it's low on sugar content but still really yummy!)

I mixed it all together and had it for an early morning 'breakfast treat' at 5 a.m. Then went back to sleep because you want to be very well rested if you're about to go into labor. Then at 7 a.m. I took the second dose. I was already clearing out my bowels by 7. It's not the most fun experience, but just think, if you're worried about pooping when you're pushing out your baby, you won't.
       By midday we decided to walk to nearby Downtown Disney to just get out and exercise, the more walking, the sooner baby is going to come. I warn you, with the castor oil, make sure there are a lot of bathrooms where you are, luckily for me there are a lot there. After an hour and half I was getting tired of walking and I was hungry. If I was going to go into labor that day, I wanted to make sure I got didn't skip any meals. After lunch I was feeling a little uncomfortable (but at forty weeks pregnant, when are you not?). I was frustrated that it was past noon and I had still hadn't felt a contraction. So what is your last straw? Have sex! Don't be shocked, that's how I got pregnant too... The funny thing is, right afterwards, I was really uncomfortable and crampy. Right after 1 p.m. I was feeling minor contractions. I was like, "What? Did I actually start my labor?"
      When pregnant I was really interested to know what a contraction WOULD feel like. As I read up on other women's descriptions, I realized a lot of people describe it in different ways. To me, as it is to many women, it just seemed like an extreme menstrual cramp. A lot of pressure, and I knew it was a contraction, because it is distinct and different then anything I had felt my whole pregnancy. But as my Bradley instructor had kept telling us, don't get an excited adrenaline rush or it can stop the contractions! So I calmly (as calm as I can get...) told Justin we should probably go on a walk around the block. As we were slowly walking, every three minutes I would have to stop and let a contraction go by. Yes every three minutes, not starting with one every hour, or even ten minutes, but every three minutes. And that is definitely when I knew I had started my first stage of labor.

Did you have any tricks for starting your labor? Would you even consider castor oil? Did you want to get this pregnancy thing over, or were you fine patiently waiting for your baby to stay in for the extra two weeks? 

Click here to continue reading my labor story.

They just don't teach kids things anymore...

October first. I was forty days out from my last period. I hadn't traveled or messed with my usual daily habits.Was I stressed? What could've been causing such a late period? The only time it was that late was right before my wedding; a lot of stuff going on, and every woman freaks out as the days before her wedding race by. I had been feeling very hormonal and tired the two weeks prior, but this day I was having a little more energy. So after I told Justin, it was time we just TRIED a pregnancy test. We decided to RUN to our nearest CVS. Came home, did the test, didn't understand why one line was more faded then the other, "Must be a faulty batch!" I said.  Ran back, got two more. Hmm. Same conclusion.

second 2 tests...

first 2 tests...

                                                      "Guess we are pregnant, Hunny."

 When I got pregnant, I really did not know much about my womanly body or how it was going to affect and change me as my pregnancy developed. Then the other big topic that hits you when you see those     two faded lines, I have to push a baby out of me?!? *freak out sesh*

Yes, I mentioned I had just been running..

        Good thing Justin and I love to research and discover what's best for our bodies on our own. A few books later and some internet searches and I was getting more and more comfortable with the situation.  As I have mentioned in my previous post, How to be laughing by the end of your labor, one of the major factors of having a successful labor was taking the Bradley Method classes. Each week I discovered more about my body and what an amazing working machine it is. After each class I would gain more knowledge, and being the outspoken person I am, HAD TO TELL OTHERS! I feel women now-a-days have some untold fear of feeling ashamed to talk about their bodies, yet how are we supposed to get through huge events like pregnancy and labor without helpful mamas who have already gone through it or who have done some thorough research.
        So I always ended up candidly talking to my go-to girls: my friends and ex-co-workers, Clair and Debbie, and of course my best friend Marissa. I would just shoot off the information at them from my weekly class, and it was monumentally shocking how little they knew about any of it (and that's not negative towards them, but shows how if three very different girls were never informed about the inevitable, how many more girls weren't informed). One of the big things that surprised me was when I had just finished my class on the billion benefits of breastfeeding,(I love THIS LINK about unmedicated babies and breastfeeding*note their is breasts, but its in a sweet breastfeeding way*) and Clair had told me she really didn't think she would breastfeed her babies. I just looked at her in astonishment. I had never even thought of NOT breastfeeding, and then to know all the benefits, made it even more solidified in my choice. Her reasoning, which is so true to many people of my generation, is that she never saw anyone breastfeeding, the hassle of trying to pull out your boob in public, and the over-commercialization of formula saying it's the easy alternative. *Yes after my many talks with her, she has definitely changed her mind. All that was needed was someone who cared to give her the cold, hard facts that was needed from the beginning.*
        As I started telling other people of my discoveries, I noticed that all my girl co-workers would come and listen to what I would say and ask questions, because they too wanted to be informed. I mean, I know they say ignorance is bliss, but walking into the start of your labor contractions with no idea what your body is telling you is plain Freaky, yes with a capitol "F"! No one should have to go through that.

       I guess this post is pretty much a rant, but I really think you should stop and take a moment to let it sink in. I love the cultures who share all their personal stories and give the reasons for why they do certain things; the parents and grandparents who take the time to sit down with their kids and grandchildren and earnestly help direct them in the knowledge they have developed through personal situations. If more mothers just told their daughters about the changes in the body and what an amazing 'machine' it is, that would put those girls in such a great position for when they start their own families. I would say they should teach us this stuff in school, but I am sure it would be all the money-based hospital shenanigans like no need for pain, just take an epidural, or you have to be laying down with an IV stuck in you as you go through your whole labor...etc, etc, etc.

<<< Started off with a little belly...






             


                >>>Ended up pretty huge!>>>

       I really encourage you to do some studying of your own, and talk to others whose insight you trust. It's amazing to look at your own body in an empowering way after discovering what you are fully capable of! Now having a baby, I have loved making new mommy friends, and it's great to have open discussions about how we are personally doing and the helpful tricks of how we are raising our babies!

       This is the start of upcoming blogs I have been wanting to do. I want to write out my personal labor story, and let you know how I really felt and the struggles and successes I had with it! I want to talk very frank and not sugarcoat what I went through, so hopefully you can get a REAL understanding of a natural labor story. I will probably break it down into three posts, first, second, and third stages of my labor!

 Do you often wish more people were candid about what's going on with their bodies? Or do you think it should be shunned from conversations? Let me know what you think!

How to be Laughing by the End of Your Labor with Six Helpful Tactics

Just eleven hours old... hard work!

Do you think there is no way ever that you could do a natural birth? I think there's got to be some credit that women long before pain meds were around were able to do it, so why not now? Doesn't the modern woman say she wants to be empowered and all that jazz?! When I was pregnant everyone laughed AT ME and thought I was crazy when I said I was shooting for a natural birth. "Just ask for the epidural, cause in the end you'll get one anyway." Guess they did not know I am a competitive determined chick when I want to be! Their little discouragements actually lit my desire to prove to everyone that first, it is doable, and second, you don't have to have a traumatic horror story to go with it.
   While I waited for my labor day to arrive I kept getting more impatient since I didn't want to be all talk, but wanted a story to back it up... and a success story at that! I really did not want a success story to prove how pathetic epidural users are -- not at all! I wanted to be able to ENCOURAGE and STRENGTHEN those mamas to show that if I can do it, so can you! Believe me, I don't have a huge pain tolerance.(it did suck help that I had terrible menstrual cramps every month that helped me gauge how much my body could be in pain.) So I really encourage you to read through my list of tips to succeed with a natural birth, so that you may want to try it for your first or even fifth baby to be!       Without the pain meds in your body or the 20% higher dosage the baby receives from it, I know from experience how awake and alert Cedric came out into this world. For the first thirty minutes my husband said he just stared up at me, then like the little over achiever he is latched right on and started nursing!

Right after birth. Not stuck in a hospital bed!

I have six helpful tricks that made my labor bearable and doable, Do you believe me that I laughed right after my last push? It was the greatest sensation ever! I, Bree Lynn Meissner just did the most extreme workout physically and mentally, and succeeded! No pain killers, no IVs, I wasn't bed ridden but could move and do what felt most natural and comfortable to me. What woman doesn't want to feel the complete success as you then get to hold your precious newborn. You forget the pain and struggle you were in moments before. Right after that last fire burning, stinging push, little Cedric came out, and  I couldn't help but say, it is already over? And laugh.

1.Two words. Bradley Method. 

Smartest decision we made my whole pregnancy. The Bradley Method is a twelve week training course that goes into deep detail about everything you are dealing with in pregnancy, labor, and first few weeks of caring for your newborn. It covers:
   -your womanly body and all changes it undergoes through pregnancy and into labor
   -your partner's (husband's) part and job through all of it (which of course starts with support and                 encouragement)
   -the different stretches you must do to open up for an easier labor

   - your diet during pregnancy,
   - breastfeeding and the billions of benefits for your baby
Justin and I felt almost over-prepared for what was going to happen! One of the best parts of the class was hearing so many success stories that help you know you can do it too (just like I'm trying to show YOU!). Another great part was doing this class with other people working through the same questions, fears, doubts that are brought on by first time moms. I promise you it's nothing like the movies with crazy, screaming-bloody-murder women. The method teaches you how to relax during contractions BUT doesn't sugarcoat it that there will be pain, but with body relaxation you can mentally get through each contraction. This helped encourage my next must have...

2. A husband who is THERE and as determined as you are for success.
There is NO WAY I could have done a natural birth without the help of Justin. After faithfully taking the Bradley Method classes with me, he was just as informed and ready for labor as I was. Bradley Method calls your husband your Coach. I love that! Dr. Bradley always said, ""A trained husband can do more for the comfort and relaxation for his wife, than any amount of medication." He diligently reminded me to walk, do my stretches, and make sure I got my 80+ grams of protein a pregnant woman really needs daily! Another positive with Bradley Method is they have your "Coach" give you daily massages and relax time to let your muscles remember how to relax during labor. They felt so good after long work days of waddling around Trader Joe's. And my whole labor? Right next to my side staring into my eyes saying, "you got this, just get through this next one, it will all be over soon". Those words saved me. You know what also saved me?...

3. Stretching and exercise! 

What was my worst fear going into labor? Tearing! Why? First I am extremely allergic to the numbing medicine they would use. Secondly the weeks after healing are way more painful with a tear having to heal. Guess what, I didn't tear! How? Stretching! First off the more you do squats, kegals, and pelvic stretches the more room you will have for baby's head to come out. Perineal massage is a lifesaver, ask me how to do that one! And staying active keeps your body loose and gives you stamina to get through the marathon called labor. With exercise, comes the need for fuel and hydration...

4.Water water water. 

Your labor can actually pause itself if you are dehydrated. Why on earth would you want to add on a few hours more of labor?! No thank you. When I finished a contraction, Justin, or my doula*(Marissa, my best friend) would shove either coconut water or just water (with a straw!) at me - the whole nine hours of labor, so I literally drank after each contraction. Secondly, food is really important. You don't run a marathon on an empty stomach, so why would you listen to hospital doctors who only let you eat ice chips your whole labor?! I threw up three times during my labor, so if I couldn't get fuel that way, I made sure to guzzle as much high sugary coconut water as I could for energy. Wait, no doctor shunning you from water and food?

5. A calming NO hospital, No doctors environment.

I gave birth at South Coast Midwifery in Irvine. **Great decision. Yes, it was costly (good thing I had saved up money) but in the end so worth it. They let me do my own thing which Justin and I had been practicing, and would only come in to check baby's heart rate then leave again. Lights were dim, atmosphere extremely calm, and I was able to focus on my husband's encouraging words and take one contraction at a time. The room you're in has a big bed, fire place, huge bath. It makes you feel at home instead of in a plain, stuffy hospital room. Can you tell I feel uncomfortable in hospitals yet? The birthing center will let you stand, sit, lay, squat, whatever your body is telling you what to do. Mine was saying, Get in that bathtub for some relief!

6. Hot bath tub. 

The only way I felt relief prior to the tub was standing, leaning on a wall or husband swaying my hips. Then I stepped in the bathtub, and oh what a relief! Like when you are really sore from an awesome workout and a hot bath relieves it all. It made my pain level go down at least thirty percent. It actually relaxed me so much my contractions slowed down for thirty minutes, but came back which was a relief since I didn't want to have to get out! I really think this helped the most when I was going through the brutal transition phase. I don't think I could do any of my labors without a tub now!

OK, there weren't flowers in it when I was laboring ;)

      There you have it! I truly believe with those suggestions UNLESS you have a complicated pregnancy, any one of you could do a natural birth. You really just have to believe in your capability as a strong woman. Do what's best and least traumatic for your new baby coming into this already crazy, scary world.

What do you think about these helpful suggestions? Are you a natural success story or would you like to be? Did I miss any helpful things you did to get through your labor? Let me know! I'd love to give you more details about my laboratory too!

*A doula is extremely helpful as added support. There are professionals or as I did, just pick someone you fully trust and whom you don't feel any bit shy in front of! You kind of BARE-ALL by the end of labor.
**My hope is that with my next pregnancies I can do home births now that I know what my body is going to do!

If you want to read my full birth story, you can start here!