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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I knew I was really in labor when my water broke in the Target bathroom... after I had used the facilities - sigh, timing not the greatest! The contractions were irregular so I held off going to the hospital until later that afternoon.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I think the most challenging thing about going natural was all the naysayers and people who told me I was crazy to even try. I was 43 at the time and STRONGLY advised to forget the natural route and just sign up for the drugs due to my age.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Two things - 1. I built a strong support system to be with me in the birthing room [my girlfriend (who the nurses thought was a Doula - nope, just super calm and not easily ruffled) and my Husband] and 2. I read a book by Jackie Mize that helped me put the whole delivery process in perspective. Birth is a natural occurrence and has been happening for centuries - it doesn't have to be a huge, scary, overwhelming event.
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What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me most about the birthing process were a few things 1. I didn't know I could be so noisy and make some of the sounds that came out of my mouth! 2. You can't stop or slow anything down, you are no longer in control and your body takes over and does what it does... no matter what you think, try, or suggest. 3. Even though I was so tired after three hours of pushing I couldn't sleep; the adrenaline kept me up for hours.
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Holding my daughter for the first time brought tears to my eyes - it was amazing and overwhelming.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Pain relief strategies that worked the best for me - positioning (head of bed up, me facing it on my knees), prayer, focused on the end no on what I was currently experiencing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering positioned on my back due to the fact my daughters head was larger than my vaginal opening and a vacuum had to be used to extract her skull. Up until that point I had been in a squatting position - which was MUCH more comfortable for me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Holding my daughter for the first time brought tears to my eyes - it was amazing and overwhelming. The emotions I felt are hard to put into sufficient words.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
"Going natural" is not the goal - a healthy baby and healthy mama are. Whatever it takes so both you and your child are the most healthy post delivery that is the route to take - whether you use more natural pain control techniques, a shot, a spinal or c-section it really doesn't matter in the end - a healthy baby and a healthy you does.
