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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My labor was very short and I slept through most of the beginning. I went to bed around 2 am (because I had been deep cleaning all night) and had not been feeling contractions. During my sleep i dreamt that I was telling people I was in labor and I would wake up in a contraction. I got out of bed about 630 am and kept feeling the contractions, they were about 15 min apart but not too painful. I assumed I was in labor but planned to stay home until they became more intense. Right before 8am the I had contraction that caused me to have to sit and then they came faster and I couldn't walk. We left for the hospital at 8:13 and my daughter was born at 8:48
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Because I was so fortunate to have my labor and delivery go very quickly, there was nothing very challenging. My first birth which was induced and I used an epidural was much more challenging than my natural birth.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Because my first birth was such an horrible experience, I was terrified to give birth a second time. I decided to read and watch everything I could about childbirth and really educate myself about the whole process. I discovered that I needed to be prepared mentally as much as physically. The most helpful thing I did was read birth stories and watch videos of women in labor. I got to the point where I was excited to give birth and my fears went away.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The most surprising thing about my birth was How quickly it went! I didn't feel intense contractions until 8 am my daughter was born 48 minutes later, we barely made it to the hospital. Also, it surprised me how my body knew what to do, the primal urge to push was so intense.
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It is possible to go natural, women have been doing it for centuries, our current medical system has made birth seem scary and has down played the power of our bodies to do what they are meant to do.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and remaining in control of my mind. I had to keep telling myself nothing is wrong with you, you are just having a baby, you are made to do this
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I asked if I could have her standing, but since things were happening so fast, there was no doctor in the room yet, I had to get into the hospital bed, they told me to lay on my back but I insisted (by screaming "I do not want to lay on my back") to sit up-so they leaned the bed to sitting position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! I was still in complete shock and had much adrenaline but there is nothing like holding your baby the first time!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Please read and watch everything you can about natural birth. If you really want to go natural make sure you have a doctor who supports you and is on your side when it comes to going natural. Know all your options if you are planning to go natural in the hospital-read about pitocin and how much it is overused-read about birthing positions- read about natural pain relief techniques-just read, read, read everything you can. It is possible to go natural, women have been doing it for centuries, our current medical system has made birth seem scary and has down played the power of our bodies to do what they are meant to do.
