If you’ve been around and read my birth story, you’ll know that I didn’t exactly plan to have an entirely natural, unmedicated birth. So imagine my surprise when not only was it unmedicated, it was also a fairly easy birth experience (especially considering my expectations).

Although I didn’t spend my last trimester consistently practicing certain breathing techniques or otherwise prepping for an unmedicated birth, I like to think that these are a few things that lended to me to having a relatively easy, natural, vaginal birth.

1. Birthing ball: I used this birthing ball both before labor to help prepare my pelvic floor and during to relax my muscles while experiencing & in between contractions. I have yet to use it in postpartum, but I know it can be great for mommy & me yoga with infants too! It’s also just generally more comfortable to sit on (and get up off of) in those late days of pregnancy and comfier during early postpartum when harder surfaces may hurt to sit on.
2. Probiotics: I started taking probiotics at my doula’s recommendation. These beneficial bacteria help to foster healthy tissues in the vaginal tract which staves off bad bacteria (like Group B Strep) that may lead to the use of antibiotics during delivery. If I learned anything from taking birthing classes, its that any sort of interference (even as simple as an IV drip!) can open up the possibility of complications. I’ve used both of these probiotics prenatal and postpartum: Revly Daily Women’s Probiotic and Dr. Formulated Once Daily Women’s Probiotics
3. Warm bathes: Bathes became my best friend towards the end of pregnancy, so soothing for the legs, feet, back, and all other areas of the aching pregnant body! I also spent a portion of my labor in the bath tub, which may have allowed my contractions to progress more smoothly and for the pain to be more manageable. Remember warm, not hot, bathes are best when pregnant! My bath time essentials include pink Himalayan bath salts, this sage and eucalyptus candle (the scent reminds me of my whole birth experience now and is naturally my favorite now), and my favorite portable, waterproof speaker for meditation music.
4. Prenatal/ postpartum chiropractor: Seeing a chiropractor is great for the body and mind in general, but it’s especially beneficial when pregnant. It even has the potential to shorten labor times! Full disclosure I only made it to one prenatal appointment before giving birth, in fact I remember being in labor and thinking “oh no, I didn’t call to tell the chiropractor I wasn’t going to make it to my appointment!” Naturally she was very understanding. I’ve continued to see the chiropractor postpartum and it’s been extremely helpful in adjusting to me new body.

I want you to remember that I’m only speculating that these things helped with my own birth experience. Every birth experience is incredibly different and babies can be brought into this world a number of different ways. No way is truly better than the other, whatever your experience was or will be is what’s meant to be for you and your baby.