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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Early labor started at 3am but I knew that it could last four days or go away so I went about my day. Around 5pm things started to progress - longer, stronger, closer together contractions, and my waters released.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I was only in active labor for about 3 hours and it was more intense than my first birth, which was 68 hours (also a home birth). But I would only transfer to the hospital if there was a medical need to do so.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hypnobabies, spinning babies, sessions with a prenatal bodyworker trained in spinning babies
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What surprised you about your birth?
That it was so short. Baby was direct OP the day before labor and I had a session with the bodyworker so I'm guessing she moved LOA sometime before active labor and then it progressed quickly.
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Amazing because I experienced the natural birth high! That didn't happen with my first birth due to exhaustion and hemorrhage. And by my request my midwife did nothing during the birth, she sat and observed. So kind of an unassisted birth which is what I wanted.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Deep breathing and relaxation and laboring in the tub during transition
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Kneeling in the tub
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing because I experienced the natural birth high! That didn't happen with my first birth due to exhaustion and hemorrhage. And by my request my midwife did nothing during the birth, she sat and observed. So kind of an unassisted birth which is what I wanted.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Choose your care provider and birth place wisely! How they practice and their philosophy will usually determine how your birth goes. Take an independent, comprehensive childbirth ed course. Hire a doula. Highly consider birthing out of the hospital - home and birth center have higher rates of maternal satisfaction with birth, breastfeeding rates, and better outcomes for mom and baby.
