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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was frustrated because it was 11 days past my due date and sad because I still hadn't met my baby yet. I cried all morning at work and finally realized it was time to start my maternity leave even if my baby didn't want to enter this world for another week. I took a nap and woke up to a cramping and tightening feeling (not my usual Braxton Hicks).
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pain and exhaustion. My baby was born on a Wednesday afternoon. Other than a nap on Tuesday I hadn't slept since Monday night.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading Hypnobirthing and Ina May. Also, reading other birth stories and listening to first time and second time parents that wanted or experienced a natural birth. My husband and I also took comfort tools birthing classes that really prepared us for what to expect.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The ring of fire. It was no joke. It is appropriately named. As painful and intense as the contractions were, they don't even compare to that moment.
I also didn't get that feeling of empowerment like most women experience after they give birth and hold their baby for the first time, but looking back on it now (four months later) I am incredibly proud of myself and what I did for my baby.
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I couldn't believe what just happened. We never found out the gender during the pregnancy so when the midwives asked if the baby was a boy or a girl both my husband and I responded with "Who cares!" All we cared about was that our baby was here, but eventually we found out he was a boy!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I liked the birthing ball in the early stages of labor, but once the pain got intense I didn't want any of the comfort tools we brought and prepared for. There was a lot of screaming through the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Squatting on a birthing stool. I wanted to have a water birth, but the pushing took me 3 hours. The midwives advised us that being in the water might make progress even longer so it was best to let gravity help.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Totally surreal. I couldn't believe what just happened. We never found out the gender during the pregnancy so when the midwives asked if the baby was a boy or a girl both my husband and I responded with "Who cares!" All we cared about was that our baby was here, but eventually we found out he was a boy!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surround yourself with only supportive and positive family and friends. Leave no room for negative people and their doubts or opinions. Trust that you and your baby can do this together. Take classes and read other natural birth stories. Knowledge is key. Your birthing plan may not go the way you want it to go, but having that knowledge and background helped my husband and I have a beautiful birth despite all the pain and screaming.
