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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had prodromal labor for the two previous nights, so I wasn't sure I was actually in labor until I was almost in transition. I ended up doing a full grocery shop while in active labor. Even though the contractions picked up to the point that I had to stop and lean on the cart, I still didn't realize it! I even joked to my husband that people were going to think I was some sort of crazy lady who goes grocery shopping while in labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was having faith in my own body. Even though this was my fourth pregnancy, I had never had a baby without intervention. All three previous births were chemically induced, and my third resulted in a Cesarean due to being induced too early. This time I was determined to let my baby come when he was ready. He ended up coming two weeks past the guess date, and it was an exercise in patience and faith that my body really did know how to go into labor.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read many books on natural childbirth from all different angles. I learned about how intervention can cause issues and even keep the natural hormones from doing their job. I read about the spiritual benefits of natural childbirth. I read VBAC birth stories to give me hope for my own goals. However, I think the thing that prepared me the most was prayer and feeling a divine assurance that women were made for this--that I was made for this.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how quick it was and how easily I was able to cope in transition. After three Pitocin labors I had no idea what to expect going natural. When my midwife finally arrived and offered to check my progress I thought I still had hours to go and was worried that I couldn't make it. When she told me I was around a 9 I couldn't believe it! In that moment my confidence surged, and I felt pretty close to invincible.
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Learn about how your body works and how God designed birth for women as a gift! Above all, believe in yourself and in your body's ability to give birth. You are stronger than you think you are.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Through my intense contractions I walked around the room and breathed deeply. The birth affirmation that helped me the most was chanting, "I am not afraid."
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I labored for a little while in the tub, but my lower back was really sore and I just wasn’t feeling the whole water thing the way I thought I would, so I decided to get out and lie propped up on the bed. I don’t know if it was the best position for gravity to help, but it made my back feel so much better to lie down between contractions. I delivered lying on the bed, which ended up working the best for me despite my plans to try a water birth.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Birthing my child at home in the midst of only people filled with love and faith was better than I ever expected. I felt peace from each one of them, which is such a stark contrast from the fear that permeated my last birth. When I finally held him I was just in awe that he was finally here and that I had a birth that was so healing to my soul.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Learn about how your body works and how God designed birth for women as a gift! Above all, believe in yourself and in your body's ability to give birth. You are stronger than you think you are.
