I’ve recently had two beautiful baby girls. To be honest, I did not enjoy pregnancy. It was really uncomfortable and I just kept wishing for a pause button. However, I LOVED giving birth. I felt so alive! Like I could do anything!
In this blog I am going to share my experience with you and give you my number 1 tip to having a faster delivery. I must say, I am not a doctor. I am only telling you my experience and what I believe helped me. With that in mind, let’s dive in!
Getting Into the Hospital
Getting into the hospital was a struggle for me. I was dilated at 3cm for a long time. My hospital didn’t want me in a birthing room until I was at least 4cm. With my first pregnancy, the nurse said I was at a 4 and let me in. After getting settled, my midwife said I was still at a 3, but that it was ok. I didn’t start dilating completely until about an hour before delivery.
That SAME thing happened with my second baby. EXCEPT, this time, I was not let in. I had a different midwife. She tried to stop my labor and sent me home. A few hours later, my water broke. I came back in, still dilated at 3cm. Again, once I started dilating fully, my girl was born about an hour later.
The Staff Makes a Big Difference
For my first delivery, I had a doula and a nurse assigned to me. My hospital provided a doula if you requested one, for free. I was very grateful. My doula respected all of my decisions and helped me be able to advocate for myself. It was absolutely wonderful! In fact, she helped me get the item that I believe made my delivery go by so fast. If you can, I HIGHLY suggest a doula to be with you during labor!
While having my second girl, I did not have a doula, but I did have a FABULOUS nurse. She was so nice and encouraging. Having those kind and thoughtful staff members while a child is trying to break free from your insides makes a big difference. Thank you labor nurses!
My Number 1 Tip
Here it is! My number 1 Tip for a faster delivery!
Once I was dilated and everyone agreed that it was time to push I asked for a mirror. That’s right. I wanted a mirror at the foot of my hospital bed, so that I could watch my girls being born. And it was such a wonderful experience for me! I have told everyone I know about it. With my first child I pushed for 15 minutes. With my second, I pushed for 6. That’s right! I very quickly got that baby out and into my arms!
I believe that having that image to look at in the mirror made the difference. My focus was on the moment. There was no questioning when it would end. I could physically see that. I also got to see my beautiful girls in that very first moment of life. It was magical. Not pretty. Definitely not pretty, but magical.
Conclusion
Once you finally get into the hospital, everything starts to get real. Here you are, having a baby. Hopefully, you have a wonderful staff that encourages and respects you. Thank them! Delivery nurses and doulas are the best! Then, it comes time to push. I can’t guarantee that you will only push for 15 or 6 minutes, like I did. But I believe that having a mirror at the base of your hospital bed will speed up your pushing time. And as an added bonus, you get to see that little baby at the moment they first come into the world. It’s a memory that I will hold tight to forever.
What tips do you have for mommas as they deliver? Leave it in the comments below.