Childbirth Interview : Paloma J.
Who are you / what do you do in life?
I’m Paloma. I’m the co-founder and designer at VALENTINENYC.COM and mamma of Bowie and Rome.
How old are you?
34.
In which city do you live?
Los Angeles, California.
Give us an essential info to know about you?
I’m from Australia but have spent most of my life living abroad.
How many kids do you have? How different were your births?
I have two kids, a son, Bowie (2.5) and a daughter, Rome Coco (1).
My births were very different. Bowie was born at the hospital. I labored at home all day and was 9 cm by the time I arrived at the hospital. He came out so quickly the Doctor wasn't even in the room. It was 12 hours but mostly very manageable.
Rome was a home birth, from first contraction to her being in my arms was 2.5 hours. It was insanely quick, super intense and honestly nothing I could have prepared myself for. I had a magical team of midwives and my doula that coached me through pushing. It was so controlled and empowering to be home without traditional medical care.
Are you rather a living encyclopedia of childbirth or do you live in total ignorance and rely on your instinct?
I’m somewhat in the middle. I feel knowledge is the key but I also don't like to have fixed ideas. I did hypnobirthing and had an incredible doula that really worked with me on my expectations and fears. I really understood what I didn't want to happen but also was open to what situations can arise.
Childbirth with or without epidurals? Why?
No epidural. I really wanted to experience unmedicated birth and managed to achieve it twice. It’s not for everyone but I really wanted to experience it myself and was lucky enough to have no complications or challenges.
Your level of stress / fear compared to childbirth between 1 and 10?
5. There is always so much anxiety around birth. You just want to survive it and have a healthy baby. I take a pretty holistic approach to birthing prep so I was working through my anxiety and emotions as much as I could. Happy mama, Happy baby.
What have you ever been told about giving birth, and what would you have liked to know?
You hear so many horror stories about birthing, no one tells you it can be very intense but manageable. I trusted my body and just let it do what it needed and that was incredible to experience.
What did you find the hardest? Pregnancy, childbirth?
With Bowie- Breastfeeding was torture, he was tongue tied and it was so incredibly painful breastfeeding. I had very cracked nipples and cried for weeks every time he needed to be feed.
With Rome is was the pregnancy. Bowie was 6 months old when I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant. My body had not fully recovered and being pregnant 2 years in a row just took it out of me. I had so many aches and pains and was just an emotion wrecks the first 4/5 months.
How did you prepare for your delivery?
Lots of walking, yoga, hypnobirthing classes and connection with other pregnant women was incredibly supportive.
What was your actual strategy while birthing?
I went into both labors with a great support team. Clear visuals but I wasn't attached to the outcome. While I was in labor I focused on being present and surrender. One step at a time.
An amusing story or not during your delivery?
Second time mamas should always have a plan for a quick labor. We didn't even have the birthing tub blown up so my poor hubby was like a mad man filling a tub and trying to be present with me laboring. The hose broke and was spraying water all over the house. It’s funny now but wasn't in the moment. Ha!
And if you had to do it again?
I would absolutely have another home birth. Tub ready to go this time.
A tip for our readers?
Just trust that your body and baby know what to do. Getting out of your head and just letting go is the best advice I can share. We were made for birthing.
Childbirth Interview : Marine B.
Who are you / what do you do in life?
I am a freelance stylist. I work for magazines, with celebrities and I also do consulting for brands.
How old are you?
I just turned 40!
In which city do you live?
Paris.
Give us an essential info to know about you?
I'm a fan of old 60's and 70's rock.
Is this your first?
Yes.
Are you rather a living encyclopedia of childbirth or do you live in total ignorance and rely on your instinct?
I asked for advice around me and wanted to know all the stories of my girlfriends about their birth (even the worst...). I wanted to know everything that could happen.
Childbirth with or without epidurals? Why?
Without epidural, I had hypnotization because I have a phobia of bites and blood... Then the epidural, for me, it's a nightmare!
Your level of stress / fear compared to childbirth between 1 and 10?
10.
What have you ever been told about giving birth, and what would you have liked to know?
I’ve been told everything, I wanted to know everything.
What did you find the hardest? Pregnancy, childbirth? How did you prepare for your delivery?
The beginning of the pregnancy was very hard for me. I had to get used to the fact that I could not drink or smoke anymore. Not so much green tea (that I drink all day), no more fresh cheese... The beginning was intense, plus, I was nauseated.
An amusing story or not during your delivery?
The moment when I was sewn ... Since I had not had an epidural, I was feeling everything. I found it worse than giving birth.
And if you had to do it again?
I would do it again like it. I gave birth in three quarters of an hour without epidural, thanks to the childbirth hypnotherapy, it was much less worse than I imagined. I had heard so many stories that I was expecting the worst, and everything went really well.
A tip for our readers?
Childbirth hypnotherapy for stressed people like me. My hypnotist, Elizabeth, kept telling me, "Our body knows how to do it", she was right.
