Claudia's Inspiring Birth Story

Here is Claudia's Inspiring Birth Story. I was 39 weeks. It was a hot summer day, and my husband and I went to the beach in the morning. We walked, and I did some light exercises in the water while the Vitamin D was hitting on.

I had been feeling cramps since I woke up, and swimming helped relieve them. But when seated or lying down, every position was not good enough.

We went for breakfast.

Between one bit and another, I decided to check if something unusual was happening down there, and I noticed more discharge than I had seen before.

Our midwife once said that if the waters broke, the liquid would smell like semen, and she was right! It broke! We calmly finished our meal and headed home.

My Water Broke

We called our midwife and went to the hospital after a shower at home. There was no reason for a rush, she said. She confirmed my water had broken, and we figured out it had happened overnight. I didn't have the splash I expected, but now everything is getting real, and the clock is ticking.

Our baby will soon be here. At this moment, I fear the pain; the real contractions will show up soon.

I remember Kerryn saying to us, imagine the contractions as waves; it will come, don't fight against it, but soon will go. I focused on that.

I said to myself "Let's not get anxious now."

After the midwife check-up and all, we saw part of our Birth Plan may not happen. Because my water broke overnight, I would have to get antibiotics soon, and the possibility of Water-Birth was slim.

I was getting frustrated but decided to focus on everything else I could have. Our baby will come healthy, and I am ready to help him in this unique life journey.

Contractions

The irregular, well-spaced, and uncomfortable contractions followed me in the afternoon. I wished to get into active labor before the time scheduled for me to start with the antibiotics.

The contractions evolved and were coming every 5 minutes and lasting around 50 seconds. Not an active labor yet.

I did what I knew could improve my contractions but also rested - the guided meditation from PregActive was the best idea.

At the hospital, more things happened that were out of our birth plan. It was scary, but I was so focused on this journey. There is no step back, and soon our baby will be with us. My contractions were there, reminding me every minute. The more the pain, the closer we are, right?

Intense Contractions

The contractions started to intensify, and 24 hours after my waters broke, I was called 'active labor.' I felt an indescribable and unforgettable pain; I couldn't find a position that relieved it; there was not much time between the 'Waves'...but I could still remember not to fight against them.

I was able to feel that the baby was getting close. There was joy, fear, and lots of encouragement from my midwife and husband.

Inducing Birth

Under the circumstances, it was necessary to accelerate the birth. Inducing birth was another thing that I didn't plan for, and neither was the epidural. But they were both made necessary. He wasn't suffering, but we did not want to wait for that to happen.

At this time, I broke down and felt as if I failed.

Soon after, I regained control over my emotions; everything was quiet. I could rest; we could rest. I smiled and was grateful for everything. I could still feel the contractions; the baby was getting close.

A few hours later, my midwife examined me; the moment had arrived, "your baby will be here soon," she said. And I will never forget that moment; after pushing for so long, I had my baby boy in my arms.

It was the most powerful moment I have ever experienced in my life.

I cried. I laughed. I felt relieved. I was proud of myself, of us.

What Did Your Fitness Program Look Like Before Pregnancy?

I can not say that I had a proper fitness program before pregnancy, but I was always moving my body and challenging myself in terms of exercise. Could be at the gym, go out for a walk or hiking.

Which PregActive Program Are You Doing Right Now And What Do You Think Of It?

I am doing the Pregnancy program and I love it. It is convenient, easy to use and to follow the routine. I confess that are a few days that I am not in the mood or too tired to exercise, but I always found something that will suit the moment.

I can choose a good and relaxing prenatal Yoga workout, or a Prenatal Express - and done, I am ready to start my day.

What's Been Your Biggest Obstacle?

I like to exercise as the sun rises up, I am a morning person, and it is hard for me do it something after I missed the momentum. That is a personal challenge for me. And for sure, my day is better after I complete a session.

Also, before your program I thought that exercise at home it will be hard or awkward, but not at all. With your tips of how to use "homemade" weights and use your own body, for sure you make my routine happen.

How Has PregActive Helped You?

The program has been helping me a lot, not only physically but also mentally. Knowing that you are in good hands while you are caring for the most precious person inside you it is so *comforting * and that was what I was looking for when I got pregnant and wanted to keep active... someone who I can trust, then I found you

What Advice Would You Give Yourself?

I never thought about tiredness at the beginning of pregnancy. So I would say something like that to myself "You are gonna be tired during the pregnancy, accept that and take it slow with yourself. Do not put so much pressure on you and rest when necessary.

Take your time, breathe and listen to your body. It will speak and sometimes scream at you. Be patient and do one step at time, you will get there"

What Advice Would You Give To Another Mama?

Give it a try and you won't regret it at all. You are going to see that you do not need hours and hours at a gym to get results, you just need to start and the results will show up. Keep going, day by day.

Do not overthink about how it will be at the end of the process, it is important to learn to enjoy the journey.

What Do You Like About The PregActive Online Studio?

I love the practicality and how easy it is to use and follow the Online PregActive Pregnancy Program steps - wherever I go Kerryn is with me. It is amazing to have different classes according to our pregnancy week - Yoga, Core, Relaxation, Pelvic Floor exercises. Since I started my pregnancy program with Kerryn I can see how much I improved, and could not be happier.