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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was on the way home from my midwife appointment. My first contraction was in the parking ramp. I drove home anyway because I wanted to labor at home.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pain is intense, I had back labor with all three births and it is INTENSE!
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pushing
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Read about hypnobirthing and preparing yourself mentally. I also used lots of essential oils and breathing techniques. Of course nutrition was important, I hydrated myself and ate some good quality protein.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Nothing really surprised me. It went so wonderfully that I was so happy! Of course there is that whole miracle of life thing, that's pretty amazing. Surprise, you made another human!
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The pain is intense, I had back labor with all three births and it is INTENSE!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Counter pressure on my lower back from my husband. He would push with his fists when I had a contraction. Breathing and imagery helped.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On all 4's in the bed. I hopped out of the birthing tub and crawled right onto the bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It's the most amazing feeling in the entire world. Pure, complete LOVE. Nothing like it.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do it! So much of it can be changed with just a simple change in mindset. It sounds crazy, but there are so many blocks that we put up when we are afraid. You talk yourself in to exactly what you didn't want to happen when you fear it and worry about it. Just think to yourself: "This is going to hurt, but I got this. It will eventually be over and there will be a beautiful baby at the end." The contractions hurt, but they also subside and then you can breathe and mentally prepare for the next one.
I had my birth detailed here, you can use images and text from there too. There is a link at the base of the post that goes to all of the photos from my birth: http://realfoodrn.com/natural-hospital-birth/
