-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions began during the night, about 1am. They began getting more painful and waking me around 3am so I started to time them. They were anywhere from 10-15 minutes apart, and I was able to doze off in between them. It felt great to get that rest! Around 6am they became too painful to continue to lie down and relax through so I got up. Once up and moving around, they began to come much faster...like 3-4 minutes apart. I knew things were happening, got in the shower and off we went!
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For my first natural birth, I was in a large academic facility that was not used to supporting natural birth. We were able to accomplish our dream birth, but it took a lot of work and advocating on my husband's part. For this birth, we chose a different practice for prenatal care and gave birth at a smaller hospital with midwives who were very sensitive to our wishes. Their support made a huge difference in my confidence to accomplish my goal.
-
IMG_5085
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Education, preparation, and commitment! You go through a lot while giving birth and experience many different sensations. It helped so much to know what my body was going through in preparation for meeting my son. I think I would have been very scared and overwhelmed by the whole process without the education! I also prepared by eating a healthy diet full of protein and doing exercises specifically meant to prepare my body and mind for birth. Finally, I committed to going natural. Knowing I would probably hit a point when I didn't believe I could do it, I also felt it was the best gift I could give my baby and my body was designed for it!
-
What surprised you about your birth?
They say every birth is different! It couldn't be more true for me! I was in labor with my first son for 21 hours, was slow to dilate, had a somewhat gradual transition and very relaxed pushing stage that lasted about an hour and twenty minutes. With my second son, I was in active labor for 5 hours, dilated quickly, had a fast, powerful transition, my water broke and 10 minutes and 2 pushes later he was born!
-
Go for it!! I felt amazing after giving birth, and both of my babies were so alert, great breastfeeders, and had some of the lowest bilirubin scores doctors had seen.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Staying upright and active was best for me.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
It felt natural to be on all fours and that's how he came. I was so thankful that my midwife allowed me to do what felt right. I ended up with a minimal first degree tear that healed very fast in comparison with a much more painful second degree tear that I had with my first son when coerced to deliver on my back.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing!! I grabbed him from the midwife between my legs and said, "my sweet baby!" I was instantly in love, out of pain, and so thankful it was over!
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Go for it!! I felt amazing after giving birth, and both of my babies were so alert, great breastfeeders, and had some of the lowest bilirubin scores doctors had seen.
