Hiring a Doula Helped Lindsey During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

My water broke at home and there was a little meconium in it so I had to go to the hospital right away. I did not start contractions so they had to start Pitocin drip after about eight hours of being at the hospital without my body doing anything naturally. :-(

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I was unable to go natural but I had the epidural at 3.5 cm and one hour later I had dilated to 8 cm so the epidural worked for my body to relax and progress.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

I hired a Doula who was very helpful and informative.

What surprised you about your birth?

How much the pressure of pushing hurt really bad and was painful for me. I had to push for three hours she ended up getting stuck she was a big baby at 9 pounds and I'm a small person at 5'1 120 pounds before pregnancy she ended up getting stuck and actually broke her arm upon delivery. :-(

To make my push more effective, I had to play "tug a war" with a sheet and a nurse on the other side of the room.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Squeezing balls in each hand and pressure on lower back while being gently rubbed on upper back and shoulders.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Back/sitting halfway up. To make my push more effective, I had to play "tug a war" with a sheet and a nurse on the other side of the room.

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

Strange! She was 9lbs at birth and I couldn't get over the shock at that. I only went 4 days after my due date.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Hmmmm- I'm not the best to ask because I didn't plan on natural from the beginning.
However, my advice for anyone is to hire a doula!