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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I went into labor three times before my doctor opted to break my water on my third visit to the hospital in the same week. Everytime I left my house to get to the hospital (mind you after hours and hours of intense contractions 4-6 minutes apart and then 2-3 minutes apart) my contractions would slow down to almost a standstill! I didn't know for sure "this was it" until I had my first contraction after my doctor had broken my bag of waters. If I had been able to have a home birth I'm sure I'd have a much different story to tell!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly, the anxiety leading up to it was worse than actually going through it. I had an epidural with my first born so I really didn't know what to expect. Transition was rough. I almost started to consider drugs and then I had them check me, heard I was 9 cm, and decided I was almost there and could definitely do it! The shift had just changed, however, and my new nurse had a horrible bedside manner than stressed me out and made me lose the peace and serenity I had maintained for the past 13 hours. Delivery was really tough because he got stuck. I ended up so focused on my pain that I forgot to speak up about birthing in a different position than what is standard at the hospital. It probably wouldn't have been difficult at all if I was squatting because even being stuck, I only had to push maybe 10 times at the most.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I took a childbirth class taught by a local doula who is also a music therapist and I learned how much staying relaxed would help my painame levels and how my partner could support me in that both physically and emotionally. I also visited my chiropractor multiple times a week!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how much I was able to handle "on my own." I had expected that my husband was going to need to talk me off the ledge the entire time but I didn't even make it to the ledge!
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Take a childbirth education class that is focused on natural birth and make sure it is a class that supports your partner and ensures they understand their role in labor and delivery and how they can help you
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Cleansing breaths and standing under the hot shower were my life savers. I would not have made it through transition without that shower!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back and it was HORRIBLE! I did not discuss pushing with my husband prior to birth and I was in so much pain from the gruff nurse breaking my focus that I couldn't speak up!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Oh my goodness...SO REWARDING. It was much different this time than with my oldest. I had an epidural with him and I didn't really have to "fight" for him like I had to with this little guy.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
JUST DO IT! Trust your body, your baby, and the process. Make sure you find the perfect fit for a provider - I finally settled on my fourth provider at 32 weeks and it was definitely worth it. Do your research on the risks of interventions like pitocin and an epidural and those two combined - that was enough "mojo" for me to do it. Take a childbirth education class that is focused on natural birth and make sure it is a class that supports your partner and ensures they understand their role in labor and delivery and how they can help you
