My Natural Childbirth Story
It was early one October morning in the high desert mountains of Southern California. On the porch of a small log cabin I entered into being with an eagerness for life; “It was as if you couldn’t wait to be born!” my Mother would say.
I grew up hearing stories of my birth, how I was guided into life in the most natural way, by the rising sun, the mountain air and the love of my family.
I believe that it was at that very moment of entering into the world in such a loving, pure and sacred way that I fell in love with living!
With an eagerness to experience and explore life fully I lived everywhere, from the deserts to the forests; from a ship sailing the shores of the Hawaiian Islands to teaching natural sciences in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
When I became pregnant my path took a drastic change in direction…
After deep thought I came to realize that giving birth was not something I wanted to hide from, but a rare opportunity to explore and experience something amazing and powerful! As my focus began to shift inward, I resigned from my job and became instinctively drawn to prepare for my greatest journey yet… my child’s birth.
I sought out the loving energy and timeless wisdom of the Sacred Waters midwives. I gave birth to my baby girl at home in what was described as “a hypnotic, loving, sensual labor; a very gentle and beautiful water birth.”
I have since been filled with an enthusiasm to assist other women in having a positive and empowering birthing experience. In an effort to spread my message I have spent years learning about birth in other cultures, U.S. birthing standards and alternative birthing methods. I have used this accumulated knowledge to devise and teach a gentle natural approach to child birth.
I am endlessly inspired by the Mommas in my classes as they reach beyond fear to birth their babies with love.
April Asorson, Natural Childbirth Instructor
mynaturalchildbirth.com
I heard that in order to simulate a real womb environment, it’s best to use gelatin in the birthing tub…preferably lime gelatin. 🙂
Thanks PTM, the image of a pregnant woman pulling her baby out of a tub of gloopy green jello made me chuckle 🙂
But you are on the right track! Inside the Momma the baby is actually living in amniotic fluid which is basically a big bag of nutrient rich water. And surrounding your baby in an environment that is similar to the environment in the womb can make it easier for the Momma and Baby.Less sticky too!
Hi, Can you tell me more about your childbirth classes? I can’t find any contact information for youat all. Thx Marilyn
Well, I teach classes in the local community in Eugene Oregon. Are you in the area?
April,
I added your blog to our directory and set up a rss feed. It only shows clips of your blog so our members will (hopefully) click and visit your blog. Great site you have! If you decide to set up a page some day let me know as I will be making some featured members eventually.
Jim
Thank You Jim! I feel honored 🙂
Thank you so much for your amazing site!!
As a young Mother about to travel down the “home birth afetr c-sec” path, this has given me so much hope and positivity about having a truely empowering birth experience. Loving the spiraling technique.
Thanx again, you and the beautiful concepts and truths you discussed here are truely inspirational!!
Hey April
I just featured your blog and video about HypnoBirthing on my website: Check it out here: http://www.letsbirthcalmly.com/blog/
I loved your message about HypnoBirthing and I also love your page.
Would you be interested in highlighting my own birth stories here? http://www.letsbirthcalmly.com/2011/02/01/muneeza’s-own-birth-stories-hanaan-my-first-baby/ and http://www.letsbirthcalmly.com/2011/02/01/rayyaan-my-second-baby/
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Warm hugs
Muneeza.
Beautiful! I will be in touch soon 🙂
Hi April, I just came across your blog while reading about natural childbirth as I am having a home water birth in August. Your birth video is the single most inspirational thing I have ever seen! Ive now been watching your videos and reading your blog for 2 hours! And im feeling so so much calmer and positive about my home birth. Tbh I was quite scared before even though I knew it was something that I wanted to do badly but reading all your tips and ways of thinking have totally started preparing my mind for how I want the birth to be for me, my partner and most of all for my baby! so thank you so so much for sharing your experiences!
Jodie x
Hi!
I’m a first time mother and I’ve been really trying hard to learn as much as possible about pregnancy and childbirth. I’m only in my fourth month but I already feel so overwhelmed! You seem so strong and I just don’t know how on earth I’m going to push this baby out! I know my body is going to do what it’s programmed to do but I really want to have a natural birth and the more I learn the more daunting it seems! Any ideas on how to calm myself down before D-day?
Absolutely! Don’t worry, I started off a little shakey too, but grew into my strength as the pregnancy progressed.
Hypnobirthing is really great to reinforce positives in your mind while at the same time replacing negatives, fears and anxiety with a wonderful calm, and peaceful feeling.
I wrote an article and made a video on Hypnobirthing a while ago if you want to check them out: http://mynaturalchildbirth.org/hypnobirthing-secrets/
http://mynaturalchildbirth.org/hypnobirthing-video/
Also meditating can do wonders! If you’ve never tried it before there are all sorts of videos and such on youtube that you can follow along with, the basic OM chant is a great place to start. Also yoga is great! And filling yourself full of positive birth stories, books and videos. I did all of these methods during my pregnancy and they all helped during my birthing time, I have also seen great results from the Mommas in my class who practice these things.
You body is truly amazing! Work on connecting with, trusting, and flowing with your body while working from a clear and peacful state in your mind and you’ll do great!
Hi April,
Should I do clockwise or counter clockwise for the spiraling motion? Thanks!!
You can do both directions while spiraling. When I was pregnant I practiced it in both but directions, but during my birthing time I noticed thaht I seemed to stick with counter clockwise. Just listen to your body and do whatever feels right.
WOW!! You are such an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing! I am 17 weeks, expecting my first child. I have had mixed emotions about giving birth but after watching your video, I feel so empowered! Thank you once again!
Hi April,
My name is Shelby Sanchez. I am so inspired by your birth story and your work around bringing awareness to midwives and the normalcy of birth.
I am reaching out to you for support in my recent commitment to have a home birth for my second child. On a deep level I have always had faith in the naturalness of birth, and more importantly in the power to birth how and where I feel most comfortable. I had my first child in a hospital and upon reflection realize that it was not the best experience. I have a deep inner desire to bring this baby into the world in a safe, supportive, sacred, and intimate setting. At first it was disheartening to find out that my insurance does not cover the expenses for a home birth. But despite this news, I made the *empowering choice* to allow abundance to flow into my life and choose to not let financial and social barriers prevent this dream from manifesting. I am a recent single mother of two now, with no child support from the Father and am choosing to not let this hold me back.
This child is bringing about ~amazing and positive~ transformations in my life and I am committed to a higher path for my children. I see a higher purpose is this experience I am going through to bring awareness around home birthing, natural birth, the importance of midwives and doulas, and fundraising ideas for women/couples who desire to have a home birth but may not currently have the financial means. I know my journey is meant to be inspirational and uplifting to others. And I know that this story needs to be shared with others.
I need to raise $5,000 by March 5, 2012 (my due date). As of this email I have raised $1,601. Below are the ideas that I come up with for fundraising so far…
Created fundraising website http://heartfelthomebirth.blogspot.com/
Created a Facebook event that is open to the public https://www.facebook.com/events/131048957008242/
Asking friends/family if they would be willing to host a workshop or party, proceeds would go to the home birth
I applied for a scholarship http://www.projectcabo.org/
Emailing friends/family
Using the social media to reach a larger audience
Would you be willing to write a blog post about my story to share with your readers or Facebook fans? Or in some other way share this with your community. I would be happy to be interviewed.
Thank you for your consideration and for all the *amazing* work you do!
Highest Blessings,
Shelby 🙂
This site has helped me so much! I am so looking forward to my second child and very first natural birth. Thanks April
Hi April,
What a beautiful site this is!
I am trying to source a photo that you have used in one of your pages, it is the one under the heading
Natural Childbirth: 7 Simple Secrets to Eliminate Labor Pain
By April on Friday, March 9th, 2012 | 10 Comments
Its a beautiful photo of a woman on a path with light in the background and lotus flowers illuminated in the water. I wonder if you know where it came from and if you could let me know – I am interested in using it for a book cover and thus am trying to find the source of it, I would be so grateful if you can help me out at all!
I love your site – natural childbirth was a beautiful experience for me!
Big Love To YOu,
Premananda
hi april,
ive seen your birth recently and it was simply beautiful! It would be a dream come true to experience a home birth. I am 36weeks pregnant and i am gonna give birth at my local hospital. I am going to try a natural pregnancy. Yesterday i told my aunt that im going the natural way and she literally screamed at me telling me i need to take an epidural, mind u she never gave birth. She was very discouranging and negative. Anyway do you have any tips for me while im in the hospital, i dont want an epidural, or induced labour or iv fluids, I am perfectly healthy have always been all my life and I want to give the best to my baby. Thank you. YOu have been an inspiration to me.
April,
Thank you for all this information. I am having my first child in January and my Husband and I would like to try a natural child birth. Talking with friends and family its hard to find support for an unmedicated birth. Is there a way to keep in contact with you for encouragement though out my journey?
Thank you, Genevieve
I had to do a report on birthing methods and decided to choose natural childbirth. I have always been somewhat curious. I am 19 right now and I don’t have a child. As i was reading your articles I was somewhat convinced but was still scared. After seeing your video it was just amazingly beautiful and it all made sense. I know when I do bring my child into this earth I will want it to be like this. You are amazing and I am so great I had to do a report to find your page! So inspiring!
Thank you for this website! Due to financial reasons, I will be traveling along this path of a calm, sensual childbirth with me and my husband. NO classes. But your website is an amazing resource! I will be practicing my breathing and visualizing until the day my DD decides to join us! THANK YOU!!
Thank you for sharing all your wisdom and beautiful experience to everyone who is open and searching for it. I am grateful to have been guided to your website!!!!
Much love
Amarantha-