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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I kept waking in the night because contractions were uncomfortable. I got up and sat on my birth ball for an hour. I went to use the restroom and had some bloody show. I was pretty sure then!!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The discomfort. It is a huge mental game to believe that what you're going through is healthy and normal. Any other time, pain would indicate a problem. But not so in labor. The more you can take comfort in that and relax, the easier your labor will be.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I found what motivates me and what makes me feel strong. I wanted to hold my baby SO BADLY. As I was having contractions I was telling my baby to go down. I kept telling her she was doing a great job. I'm not really a visualizing person, but that helped me to tell my body to keep moving forward. It helped me to focus on my baby and not myself.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went. My first labor was 25 hours long. (She was sunny side up, so lots of back labor too) But this birth was only 5 1/2 hours long and I was able to stay calm and focused. God was SO good!
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You ARE strong. But you have to know it. Think about what makes you feel strong and have your supporters remind you of that throughout labor.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I stood in the shower and my husband would apply pressure to my back to help relieve pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was lying on my back in bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible! There is just nothing more surreal than holding a warm slippery baby that you worked so hard to get there. It's amazing.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Find what motivates you. Don't go into it blind. What do you want? What's the part you're looking forward to the most? You have to find what drives you and then focus on that.
Also think about what makes you strong. You ARE strong. But you have to know it. Think about what makes you feel strong and have your supporters remind you of that throughout labor.
