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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having inconsistent contractions for over 30 hours after losing my mucus plug. I decided to drive myself to the OB to get checked. On the 20 min drive to the office, my contractions went from inconsistent and no pattern to 5 minutes apart. When a wave would come on I had to pull over and wait for it to pass before continuing my journey. Sitting in the waiting room they went to 4 min apart and coping was getting more difficult especially in a crowded room.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not being surrounded by supportive staff at the hospital. All of the nurses were saying things like "we'll see" or "let us know when you change your mind" as if it were a sure thing that I wouldn't succeed. I knew I was on my own and had to continue to advocate for myself especially when it came to labor out of my hospital bed.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Tons of research and preparation. I used a lot of the tips on the Mama Natural page. I drank red raspberry leaf tea from 30 weeks and ate 6 dates a day from 36 weeks. Continuously read and watched natural birth stories. Anytime I started to get anxious or doubt that it was possible I went back to reading success stories and reminded myself it IS possible.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was! I fully prepared for 10-20 hours of labor as a first-time mom. I didn't even have a chance to call my mom before my baby girl was born. From the time I got to the OB to my baby girl in my arms was just about 4 hours. Pushing lasted about 5 minutes. It was all a whirlwind.
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Believe in yourself even when no one else will. Be your own advocate. Immerse yourself in knowledge about the birthing process and understand it. Just know you can do it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Laboring out of the hospital bed. The pressure of being in the bed was too great. I preferred standing and leaning on my husband or counter and swaying my hips. Closer to the end sitting on the toilet helped with the pressure.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Completely surreal. I couldn't believe I did it and that it was over; after months of preparation we were done.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Norine Paloma- my husband and I liked the name. We agreed on it before we even knew we were having a girl and stuck with it the entire pregnancy!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself even when no one else will. Be your own advocate. Immerse yourself in knowledge about the birthing process and understand it. Just know you can do it.
