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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About 22 hours in, roughly 1 hour before he was born. My water had broken early that morning, and I spent the day relaxing and waiting for labor to begin. I was having some sporadic contractions off and on, but nothing intense enough for me to think I could be in active labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not knowing how much longer there was. By the time I realized I was in labor, I was pretty much in transition and then I was having pushing contractions without knowing it was safe to push. They were so intense, but I took them one contraction at a time, and that helps. It's easiest to focus on the contraction at hand rather than on how many more might be ahead.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I reviewed "Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way, " to get my mind focused. It was helpful to remember how much staying focused and going "inside" of myself helped during the really intense contractions.
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What surprised you about your birth?
He was born at home! We had intended to birth in a freestanding birth center as we had done with our first two. But, by the time I realized I was REALLY in labor and called the midwife, it was too late. I remember thinking that I couldn't make it because I had hours to go, and then suddenly he was crowning. I threw the phone and caught him with my midwife on the other end wondering what the heck was going on. lol.
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I remember thinking that I couldn't make it because I had hours to go, and then suddenly he was crowning.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
For me it's all about the breathing. I focus on keeping my breath slow and even. That often means saying to myself "iiinnnnnnn and ouuuuutttt." If my mind starts to break away and think "I can't do this. This hurts" then I redirect and focus only on breathing again.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Standing in a half-squat.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Even after two prior births, it was the most surreal, primal and most natural thing I've ever experienced. I always thought it would be pure panic if I delivered at home without help, but it just seemed totally natural and peaceful. The logical part of my brain just sort of switched off, and it was just me and him. I remember so clearly there was this moment after he was born where I was still half standing holding his head in my hands, and he opened his little eyes and just stared right into mine. And we just held that gaze. He didn't cry. It was just totally at peace and tuned in to each other. Like he was saying "Hey, I know you." Don't tell my other kids, but I think that "first meeting" moment might be my favorite.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't listen to anybody who says you can't. Be prepared. Arm yourself with relaxation techniques and a birth plan. BUT! Don't get too caught up in a particular picture in your mind either. I've had four natural births, and they were all so totally different, and they were all nothing like I had envisioned during my pregnancies. No matter what happens, it's your story. It's your child's story. Embrace the beauty in that, whether or not it goes as you planned.
