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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had thought my water had a pinhole leak when I was 37+4, but after a visit to labor and delivery, they sent me home after seeing no signs of amniotic fluid. In the early morning hours before my 38-week doctor visit at 38+1, I had more of the same plus some mild, irregular contractions, and addressed it at my appointment a few hours later. When they sent me back up to labor and delivery for a check, my water broke as they were checking me, thus beginning labor!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part for me, aside from pain difficulties with the transition period between 8-10 centimeters dilation, was getting myself out of the bed to find a comfortable laboring position. I was exhausted and I felt awkward about taking the initiative to get up and start trying various positions, so I started by trying to labor on my back in bed. I actually asked for an epidural around 5cm, but I had a wonderful nurse who knew my birth plan and she encouraged me to get out of the bed and try a few things before I gave up and got the epidural. I was able to find a position that was so comfortable and I remained relaxed throughout most of the rest of my labor!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did was to find support in a good friend who was pregnant a few weeks behind me who had similar labor and delivery goals. We shared with each other things we learned in classes, things we found in research, and encouraged each other every time doubt in our bodies' ability crossed our minds.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how well my body knew what to do. When I finally got myself out of the bed to find a more comfortable laboring position, I started by trying to slow dance with my husband or sitting up on the birthing ball and I quickly knew neither of these positions would work for me. My body led me to all fours laying on a birthing ball, swaying back and forth where I found relaxation for hours.
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If I could do it all over again, I would hire a birth doula. I think I would have had an overall better experience by having someone help me find a comfortable position sooner, who knew how to help me through transition, who maybe had a bag of helpful tools I didn't think to bring, and who could have advocated for me when I delivered the baby with an OB who was not natural-minded. Also, I think it's important for all the natural mamas to remember that your body is made for this and you absolutely can do it, and it's so worth it in the end.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I found the most relief in laying over a birthing ball on my knees with soft music playing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I started pushing on my left side, but eventually pushed from my back in the hospital bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was exhausted after two hours of pushing out a "sunny side up" baby, so I don't remember feeling extremely emotional, but I do remember thinking "wow, she's finally here and I made her."
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
If I could do it all over again, I would hire a birth doula. I think I would have had an overall better experience by having someone help me find a comfortable position sooner, who knew how to help me through transition, who maybe had a bag of helpful tools I didn't think to bring, and who could have advocated for me when I delivered the baby with an OB who was not natural-minded. Also, I think it's important for all the natural mamas to remember that your body is made for this and you absolutely can do it, and it's so worth it in the end.
