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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was having irregular, very mild contractions off and on for 3 weeks but, funny enough, the way real labor started was almost exactly like how my 1st daughter's started - early morning around 6-7am I had a big *POP* in my pelvis where the baby's head was (for my 1st the pop was in my belly) and immediately following I had the most painful, long-lasting contraction. That's when me and my husband knew labor had begun.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The contraction pains are always the hardest, but with my 1st daughter the crowning of her head was the worst pain. My 2nd daughter's crowning and delivery was not nearly as painful, which was very nice.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read about different techniques to help pain during labor and delivery. For my 2nd birth I ended up massaging around my labia when the baby was emerging and that kept me focused on the job at hand rather than the pain. Also, I remembered what positions I did not like from my 1st labor/delivery so I did things differently the 2nd time around and that helped my mindset.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I delivered in my bathroom next to the toilet. The location was completely random and not expected as I had planned a water birth like I had with my first. The water wouldn't get to the correct temperature (body temp). My midwife told me to try to pee before delivery but when I got to the toilet the pushing contractions began and my water broke (luckily over the toilet) - 9 minutes later my daughter was born!
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Make sure you are confident in your decision. If you are not confident then you may struggle more than expected when the time comes, which could cause a harder labor and delivery. Also, surround yourself with a supportive birthing team that you trust and are comfortable with!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I used positions I knew were the most comfortable for me. Also, massaging the area as the baby was emerging helped me.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my left knee initially as her head came out and then was asked by my midwife to switch to my other knee to open up the pelvis more. I delivered on my right knee (imagine a wedding proposal stance) and then sat on the floor to hold the baby and deliver the placenta.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was relieved that the worst of it was over. It was more glorious the 2nd time around as I knew what to expect. Both my daughters were born in under 3 hours from first contraction (1st - 2hr45min; 2nd - 2hr15min) so the first time around I was more in shock than anything. The second time I expected to go fast so I was able to be more present in the moment.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Make sure you are confident in your decision. If you are not confident then you may struggle more than expected when the time comes, which could cause a harder labor and delivery. Also, surround yourself with a supportive birthing team that you trust and are comfortable with!
