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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The day after Mother's Day, about 9 in the morning, we were all outside and my husband was changing the oil. I had some coffee the night before, and I think that's what started it. I don't drink coffee so it upset my stomach. Haha. Contractions got stronger thought the day.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me the contractions are fine, it gets really intense when it's time to push. I don't like it at all.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Probably watching birth videos of women "handling it". Knowing I could do it made a difference. Women do this all the time.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My contractions petered out that first day, so I went to bed disappointed. I was surprised to be woken up at 2:00am to transition. I started timing contractions again but I knew it was close. We got in the car at 3:00am, got there at 3:45, and he was born 4:27.
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During labor, I generally just retreat into myself and can't talk or move. I don't want people to touch me, I just try to relax into it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I took a bath, which I hadn't in my other labor, and it definitely relaxed me. I also generally just retreat into myself and can't talk or move. I don't want people to touch me, I just try to relax into it.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying on my side.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Such relief! Surprise too at how fast it went.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it. You just can. Women have done it forever. The doctors and hospitals are there for when something goes wrong, but normal birth isn't wrong. It's not like you have appendicitis. The pain is getting you somewhere. To a new person in the world!
