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When did you realize you were really in labor?
11:30 pm the night before he was born. My contractions became rhythmic and painful, which was different from my sporadic and not painful Braxton Hicks.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Transition. I was able to manage the pain of my contractions until I reached transition, and then I had a moment where I wanted to give up and get meds...luckily it was too late!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I took a 6 week natural labor and delivery birth course with my husband, and I had a doula and took a prenatal yoga class. I also had a team of people to help me during my labor, including my husband, mom, doula, and dear friend/yoga instructor. It was helpful to have so many people because they could take breaks and work together to help me.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I thought that I would want music and touch from my husband for comfort, but instead I wanted silence and was too hot for physical affection. I didn't want distraction from the pain. I wanted to focus on moving my hips and breathing to get through each one.
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Have more than one support person. Birth is a lot for one support person to handle, especially if they have not witnessed a birth before. Having multiple people allows for breaks, and extra hands for massaging, and grabbing things as needed.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Sitting on a yoga ball and moving my hips, being in the bathtub, breathing, and concentrating on relaxing my muscles.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
The hospital bed was positioned in an upright position and I was on my knees with my arms draped over the top of the bed to hold myself upright and use gravity. My back was to the doctor.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Shocking. Until I saw him, part of me still didn't believe he was real. I couldn't believe he was a real person that came out of me.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I labored at home as long as possible because the comfort of being at home made it easier to relax. By the time I got to the hospital I was already 9.5 cm dilated and in transition. This completely eliminated the possibility of an epidural or a need for intervention.
Have more than one support person. Birth is a lot for one support person to handle, especially if they have not witnessed a birth before. Having multiple people allows for breaks, and extra hands for massaging, and grabbing things as needed.
Take a natural birth class and know your rights. Remember that the hospital staff can't make you do anything. You don't have to wear the hospital gown if you don't want to (I bought my own gown to wear), you can eat if you want (and should if you have a long labor!), etc. Unless they are wheeling you into the OR for an emergency C-section, you have the right to say no to any and all "hospital policies." It is good to have your support people to know your wishes so that you don't have to explain your wishes during very painful contractions.
