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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was driving home from work at 6 pm and noticed I was having some contractions that felt different than the practice ones I'd been having for the past couple weeks. I didn't really believe it yet, so I continued with my normal routine. I was having mild contraction 10-40 minutes apart throughout that night, so I didn't get much sleep. I had a midwife appointment the next morning at 9:30, at which point the contractions were about 10 minutes apart and uncomfortable, but not too painful. At 11 am they were definitely getting painful. I labored at home until 5 pm and then decided to go to the hospital. My son is was born via a water birth at 10:01 pm that night.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The hardest part was trusting that my body was truly meant to do this. I had some doubts when things got intense during transition, but my husband and midwife helped guide me through it.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I took a Bradley Method birth class to help us prepare for labor and delivery. I also read a lot of books about natural childbirth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised to find out that my son was occiput posterior and that he was born en caul.
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It was such a rush of emotions lifting my son out of the water and into my arms for the first time. I wasn't prepared to feel that much love for someone so quickly.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Walking during the contractions was the best thing for me until I got into the birthing tub. Once I was in the tub, I kept chanting "relax" over and over during the contractions. That seemed to keep me grounded and make things a little less unbearable.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was half on my side, half sitting, in the water birthing tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was such a rush of emotions lifting my son out of the water and into my arms for the first time. I wasn't prepared to feel that much love for someone so quickly.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body and have the right mindset going into labor. Don't even let yourself think that an epidural is an option.
