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When did you realize you were really in labor?
In the 3-4 days before I went into labor I had been experiencing some back pain and random contractions and I had been losing bits of clear mucus each day. I went to bed at midnight on a Saturday night after watching a movie with my husband but had no real indication or feeling that I would be going into labor that night ... but then I woke up to a "pop" (feeling and sound) and my first real contraction at 1:30 am. I went the bathroom and realized the popping had been my mucus plug falling out. I got another contraction about 11 minutes later and then they started coming about 5-7 minutes apart. At that point I knew I was in labor!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had a ton of pressure in my back and hips that I wasn't anticipating. Working through that pressure with the help of my midwife, nurse and husband was 100% the most challenging part. My midwife and the nurse talked me through the contractions when I needed a little extra motivation and my husband worked so hard to provide a ton of counter pressure during every single contraction.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The classes I took at the birth center were really helpful, but even more than that I think just spending time at the birth center and getting really comfortable there was the most helpful thing. The two midwives on call when I was in labor were the two midwives I hadn't met, but I felt totally comfortable with them because I knew I was in a safe place.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised how quickly I progressed. I was expecting to have that time in the beginning stages of labor where the contractions were 20 minutes apart - that definitely didn't happen!
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Go for it if you feel like it's a part of your path to motherhood! Stay active (seriously - walk, do yoga ... just keep moving!), eat well, be gentle with yourself, and maintain a positive attitude throughout your pregnancy. But please realize that sometimes things don't always go the way we plan and that the MOST important thing is a happy, healthy baby and mama. After baby comes make sure you get connected with other mamas, work on your relationship with your partner, and realize that even if you feel like the world is ending it's not. Much love!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
My time in the tub was really helpful for pain management but it wasn't helpful for moving my labor along. The most helpful thing was sitting on the birth ball while hanging on the sling and having my husband push REALLY hard on my hips.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I pushed for a while in the tub (on all fours, on my left side, on my right side and back to all fours). My midwife told me after a while that her intuition told her I needed to be on the bed. I was on the bed between my husbands legs on my knees and elbows (propped up on some pillows) and pulling on my husband's hands when my little girl entered this world.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
The midwife handed her to me through my legs. I remember how slippery she felt and how in awe I was that she was in my arms. I couldn't stop looking at her beautiful body and listening to her tell me how hard she worked to meet us. It was the most amazing feeling in the world.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Go for it if you feel like it's a part of your path to motherhood! Stay active (seriously - walk, do yoga ... just keep moving!), eat well, be gentle with yourself, and maintain a positive attitude throughout your pregnancy. But please realize that sometimes things don't always go the way we plan and that the MOST important thing is a happy, healthy baby and mama. After baby comes make sure you get connected with other mamas, work on your relationship with your partner, and realize that even if you feel like the world is ending it's not. Much love!
