-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
After two days of stop and go contractions I finally started labor on a Saturday morning after doing acupuncture and taking some homeopathic remedies to kick labor into active mode. I was 5 cm on Wednesday and we lived 2 hours from the birth center so we were staying in a hotel in the town my birth center was located.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part for me was that I was a high risk pregnancy so I had to go to around 50 doctor appointment with a high risk doctor and an OB, the only appointment's I looked forward to were my mid wife appointments. I had to do many ultrasounds probably around 15 but I was lucky that my high risk doctor let me make some decisions like when he wanted to induce me at 39 weeks and I was not conformable with that. They would not let me go past 41, baby came at 40 plus 3
-
FB_IMG_1477787389226
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Knowing my self and my body. I like to handle the pain on my own and I don't need someone to hold my hand or talk me through the pain. I actually had a note on the door to my birthing room that said, "No Talking". Reminding myself that my body was made for this and I remember thinking in my head during the contractions that it's almost over and then I can rest for a few minutes and soon it will all be over.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
I did say one time to my midwife, "I can't do this" during the pushing. And then I couldn't believe I said that. Also, I had a water birth and as soon as my babies head was out she turned over and her eyes popped right open so my midwife turned baby head down in the right position and baby turned again and looked right at my husband as he was talking and getting ready to pull baby from the water. My midwife worried for a second because baby was in the wrong position but my daughter literally moved her shoulder and crawled out, haha.
-
Strengthen your mind and know your body in pain and work with that. And just know that your body was made for birth.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Concentration and breathing. I have never taken any birthing classes.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
I was in the tub on my back but I let my lower half float by using my arms to hold onto handles in the tub.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing, I've had two previous birth's both preemie's and my babies were always taken right away and I had to wait just to see them and it was 2 days before I could hold them. My husband put my baby on my chest and I still had my eyes closed as I was catching myself up opening my eyes and I wad so happy I forgot to even check if it was a girl or boy (we were team green) I was just happy the baby was out. I thought of nothing else. I remember she didn't really cry but pinked up pretty well on her own and I didn't even think about that which is funny because it was one of the things I worried about before I went into labor. My mind was just blank.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Strengthen your mind and know your body in pain and work with that. And just know that your body was made for birth.
