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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was 5 days past by due date and I woke up at 4am with contractions. I started to time them and called labor and delivery at about 8:00am. I waited until they were about 6 minutes apart before heading to the hospital. I was worried my labor would progress really quickly since it was my 3rd baby.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
There were no open birthing rooms at the hospital so we sat in a hallway for 8 hours on a tiny gurney. I didn't have very much at my disposal to use for distraction or to help cope with labor pains. My husband and I walked the hallways.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I talked with a few girlfriends who had natural child births but that was about it. I had it in my head since this would be my last baby I wanted to try and go natural.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I was really afraid of the pushing part because the doctors kept telling me I was going to have a big baby. I honestly didn't feel any of the tearing during pushing. The hardest part for me was the contractions and no rest in between them. I pushed for about 10 minutes and out came baby boy #3 weighing in at 8lbs and 13oz!
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It's such a sense of relief when your baby comes out and is placed on your chest. Its love at first sight and really no words can describe that moment!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Walking and my husband had his lap top set up and we watched Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Laughing through contractions helped:)
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my back and holding my legs towards my chest.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It's such a sense of relief when your baby comes out and is placed on your chest. Its love at first sight and really no words can describe that moment!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Stay calm! I tried to be as quiet and relaxed as possible through my entire labor. Our bodies are meant to do this and women have been doing it forever.
