***Make sure to consult with your doctor before you try any of the advice below. I had a very low-risk pregnancy and exercised consistently leading up to pregnancy.
All photos by Judy Walker Photography
When I first got pregnant I immediately started to think about the delivery. I heard birth stories from every family, friend and stranger under the sun: the good, the bad and the ugly, but unfortunately, I heard much more of the ugly stories than anticipated. When I met the woman who would become my doula, we were both working at Inner Balance Studio as fitness instructors and ironically enough she was the first person I told I was expecting, besides Cory of course. After all, she specialized in bringing babies into the world and I knew she could give me some excellent guidance during the early weeks. The best thing she could have ever done for me was guiding me to Amazing Births and Beyond. Amazing Births & Beyond offered Cory and I everything we would need to bring our baby into the world. They provide everything from prenatal fitness and chiropractic care to breastfeeding class and the Baby Spa! It was truly the best resource we could have ever had during this life-changing time.
NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD OUR FIRST DRUG-FREE HYPNOBIRTH EXPERIENCE, I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU HOW WE PREPARED FOR IT. BEFORE I GO ON, I MUST SAY THAT HAVING A BIRTH PLAN IS GREAT, BUT HAVING AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU BRING YOUR BABY INTO THE WORLD HAPPY AND HEALTHY SHOULD BE YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. LET GO OF THE PRESSURE TO HAVE THE PERFECT DELIVERY, BUT GET AS EDUCATED AS POSSIBLE ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS AND DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WILL BE WILL BE. AFTER DECIDING ON OUR BIRTH PLAN, CORY AND I SET OUT TO HAVE A BIRTH WITH AS LITTLE MEDICAL INTERVENTION AS WE COULD BECAUSE THAT WAS OUR CHOICE. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG IN CHILDBIRTH. HAVE AN OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR PARTNER, GET EDUCATED AND DECIDE WHAT BIRTH EXPERIENCE IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
We prepared for a drug-free delivery, just like you would approach any major fitness event. We practiced and prepared for the biggest and most challenging moment of our lives and here is how we did it…
We adjusted our mindset and believed we could: Just like anything in life, a positive mindset is everything! In the beginning, I shared with people that we wanted to have a drug-free water birth and unfortunately, I was met with a lot of negative commentaries like: “Why would you do that?”, snarky laughter and tons of “just get the epidural” advice. I was told that “no one could prepare me for the pain” and endured a few pats on the back where people simply said: “you’ll see”. After Cory was on board with the decision, there was no turning back. We only spoke about a positive birth experience from that day forward and fortunately, we ended up with a “textbook” delivery. It is still such a surreal memory to look back on because, until it actually happened to us, even after seeing videos and hearing success story after success story, I still did not know if it was possible. So, shift your mindset as early as you can and force yourself to believe you CAN and YOU WILL!
Hypnobirthing Class: Our Hypnobirthing class was taught by Dr. Vivian Keeler. The owner, Doula, and Chiropractic genius of Amazing Births and Beyond. Cory and I took a five-week course where we learned Hypnobirthing Techniques, positioning, benefits of Hypnobirthing and relaxation practices. We listened to our relaxation and affirmation tracks every night for four months! I learned how to go into a state of relaxation and was prepared for the not so pretty yet natural parts of labor like vomiting and your bloody show. Because of this education, I felt in control and was never scared at any time during the 12-hour labor and delivery process.
If you would like to read our full birth story click here, but just to give you a small overview of our hynobirth story in a hospital setting: I kept an eye mask on and noise canceling headphones on while my hypnobirthing tracks played on loop. They kept me calm, in control and as relaxed as I could be to breathe through every contraction and when I thought I could not go anymore, we were ready to welcome our boy! If you are interested in a drug-free delivery, I highly recommend hypnobirthing. We could not have gotten through those hard hours at home without it.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care: I was about four months in when my modeling career started to slow down and planes, trains and automobiles were no longer the norms. I was overworked and overtired and my body was all out of whack. I spoke to a psychic over the past couple of years who is always spot on and she immediately said “so you are interested in a natural birth”, I said: Yes! She said then you must align your pelvis. Your back is a mess and in order to get this baby out and not get stuck, you need to make sure all is well in that area. So, I called Dr. Keeler and set up weekly appointments and I honestly believe her appointments are what enabled my body to do what it needed to do. I have other friends who could not walk due to pregnancy back pain and also swear by chiropractic care. It is gentle and safe and effective and I recommend any pregnant woman get weekly adjustments.
Hire a Doula: Hiring our doula was by far the best thing we could have done to get us through our natural water birth. It is so important to make sure you have a good connection and that your doula is on the same wavelength as you. A doula is there to act as the middleman between you and your doctor. Having a hospital birth is a whirlwind and having someone there for you and your partner to act as a strength and support is literally a GODSEND! If you are in Miami and are looking to hire a Doula, make sure to attend a “Meet the Doula Night” at Amazing Births and Beyond and if you are not in the area, make sure to hold mini-interviews with perspective Doulas and just like when you meet your partner “when you know you know”. Birthing doulas are proponents of drug-free births, but they should also be there to support whatever type of birth experience you decide on.
Acupuncture: I have been a lover of acupuncture for years! I try not to pop pills, but utilize herbs as medicine. Acupuncture during pregnancy can help to alleviate morning sickness, decrease low back and pelvic pain and even aid in a better nights sleep. Early on in my pregnancy, I went to acupuncture 1-2 times/month and weekly during the last month. I took the downtime to practice hypnobirthing and as we got close to my due date, we used acupuncture to induce labor and I literally started having contractions 48 hours later. If you are in the Miami area, I see Nancy Clark! She helped me with adrenal fatigue pre-baby and now was a very important part of my pregnancy journey!
Exercise: I wrote last week about the benefits of exercise for mom and baby, but what I did not mention was the fact that I used my exercise classes as a way to prepare for labor. Labor was the most intense HIIT workout I have ever done, but in the weeks leading up to labor, I used my hypnobirthing breath and visualization techniques in class. During the hardest parts of the class, I found myself visualizing myself walking in a golden field holding my baby boy under a beautiful weeping willow tree. I also visualized floating on clouds and let my mind focus on anything but the pain. Also, focusing on deep diaphragmatic breathing. This helped tremendously when it came to the intense contractions towards the end. Keeping the breath low and deep in the chest and through your pelvis, otherwise known as the “J Breath” was the most powerful painkiller I utilized.
Nutrition: Consuming whole nutrient dense food is important whether you are pregnant or not. I am a huge proponent of living an 80/20 lifestyle. I literally ordered Domino’s early on in my pregnancy and sat in my robe, with a face covered with pimples and devoured half of a large pie! After the first trimester came to a close, the cravings subsided and I was back to my normal eating habits, smoothies and all! Consuming tons of water, lean protein, whole grains, fruits, veggies and tons of healthy fats like avocado and flax seeds were top on my list. Eating for three may have been the norm thirty years ago, but these days, you should have the mindset of “you are what you eat” during pregnancy. You are creating a human being and in order for them to be as healthy as possible, you should consume foods that make you the healthiest version of yourself!
Dates, Rasberry Leaf Tea and Evening Primrose: It sounds weird, but Yes! I do truly believe that consuming these three items after week 36 helped me to go into labor two days before my due date and helped my body deliver naturally! These three items came recommended by my doctor to soften my cervix and prep the uterus for labor. I literally ate 6 DATES PER DAY for three weeks. Dates are delicious, but it was not easy! I would make a big pitcher of Rasberry Leaf Tea and took evening primrose orally before using it internally from week 37 on. As far as the dates go, I ate them and then threw them in smoothies or ate Lara bars to help meet my 6 a day minimum. The last two-three weeks feel like years, but I truly feel that these three things helped tremendously. Remember, food is medicine and make sure to check with your doctor before consuming any of the above!
If you are interested in having a drug-free delivery, feel free to comment below or send me a message on Instagram or by e-mail to taylorwakerfit@gmail.com. It is true what they say, you do forget the pain and although I am not ready to have another baby yet, I will be following the same protocol with baby number two!
