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When did you realize you were really in labor?
On Saturday, I went to the Iowa State Fair. I was 40 weeks 2 days, and was hoping to walk myself into labor. According to my FitBit, we walked 9 miles! On the drive home (around 10 pm), I was having a lot of sciatic nerve pain- something I had been dealing with for about a week now. This felt a lot worse than it had been, though. When we got home, I showered and lied down, content that the walking didn't work and I was to be pregnant another day. About 10 minutes after I got into bed, the first contraction hit. I wasn't able to sleep, so I got up and walked around and started timing them, thinking maybe this was possibly it. After two hours of some uncomfortable and very regular 5-7 minute apart waves, I knew I was in labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Pushing! The labor itself wasn't actually too bad. The hospital staff actually didn't believe me at first when I told them I was ready to push since I was so calm. The hospital where I birthed had laboring tubs, and I spent almost the entire time in there, listening to music and having my husband rub essential oils on my lower back, as I had back labor the entire time. I called the nurse in saying I needed to push, walked to the bed and climbed up onto my hands and knees. My body started pushing, and I let it completely take over. On the first push my water broke, and the nurse frantically called the team in. Baby was out on the fourth push!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Fixing my mindset was the most helpful thing for me. When I was pregnant with my son 4 years ago, I thought I wanted to have a natural birth. At the same time, however, I told myself that the pain Meds were there if I needed them. I had a mindset that pregnancy and childbirth were HARD. I had awful hip pain, and spent the last month or so sitting on the couch with heating packs. My labor was 35 hours long. I pushed for an hour and a half. I got an epidural at 30 hours. My son aspirated meconium, and I didn't get to see or hold him until he was a couple hours old. I had an awful recovery, and didn't feel like myself again until almost 2 months postpartum. I had really bad postpartum blues and then depression for the first year and a half of my son's life.
This time around could NOT have been more different! I've been working on a more positive mindset for a while now, and I was convinced this pregnancy and birth would be easier and healthier. I told myself and acted on the mantra "Pregnancy is NOT a disability! My body was literally made to do this." I ate really healthy. I worked out almost every day. I traveled outside of the country and hiked Machu Picchu at 21 weeks (and was one of the first ones in my group to make it to the top!). I worked on meditation and mantras for myself for during labor, reading Hypnobirthing and practicing many of the techniques in there (although I admit I didn't have time to finish the book!). I really had an amazing pregnancy and birth, just as I knew I would.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How empowered I felt after. I've been told how amazing having a natural birth could be, but I didn't realize how much so until I experienced it myself.
I felt so strong, mentally and physically, like I could do anything. I still feel that way a month later. Our bodies are amazing things!
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There are no words to describe it. The intense love and sense of empowerment were unimaginable. She was looking up at me and was so alert and bright-eyed and just content, and I felt so happy and fulfilled.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I went inside myself during each wave, focusing on my breathing and making sure my body was not tense. Focusing on keeping my jaw and hands loose gave me something to focus on.
After each contraction, I told myself, "That one is gone, and it's never coming back. I did great, now let's look to the next one. Each wave is bringing me closer to meeting my baby (and finding out it baby is a boy or girl!)."
Between contractions I sang along to my music, and talked with my husband.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Hands and knees. I hadn't planned a specific position in which to deliver, but knew I didn't want to be on my back. Hands and knees just felt right at the time, so I listened to my body and went with it!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There are no words to describe it. The intense love and sense of empowerment were unimaginable. She was looking up at me and was so alert and bright-eyed and just content, and I felt so happy and fulfilled.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do this. Your body was made to do this. Let it take over. You are more capable than you think.
