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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My midwife preformed a membrane sweep the morning of the 8th. When she did, she said that there wasn't much to separate and I told her I had very uncomfortable contraction for about 5 hours the night before. (So I knew they had been effective) shortly after the left I had some light bloody show throughout the day. I was 39 weeks and 3 days at this point and I'll explain why I didn't wait until 40 weeks to try some natural things to induce. I went in for an ultrasound at 38 weeks to be sure baby was head down. Since we had a couple scares that she had flipped breech. The news was great, she was in perfect position but The OBGYN said my fluid levels were borderline low. And that he wanted to induce at 39 weeks. Well, this is clearly not what I wanted to be told since I had been planning my 2nd water birth at home. So, I asked him if I could just come in at 39 weeks to check the levels again. He agreed and when I went home I did everything I could find to read about increasing amniotic fluid. I was scared to death to be pumped full of pitocin, feel like I had no control over my birth, my baby after she came out. This is why I've chosen midwives, natural birth. Because things like delayed cord clamping i
Are important to me, keeping vernix on baby, skin to skin contact. These are not priority in a hospital setting. And I know, because I had my first daughter in the hospital, and had a typical hospital procedure, pitocin, epidural birth. So I was given the ok to go until 40 weeks and he was going to push induction. My fluid levels were better. So, that is just a little bit of understanding why I was hoping to get baby out sooner then my EDD. I just didn't think it would happen so quick :)
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I have to say, I didn't face a lot of challenge. I mean of coarse deep down, there is a little bit of fear of the pain because let's face it. It hurts! But I knew it wasn't something I couldn't get through, and I knew it doesn't last forever! I'd say it was more challenging for others to accept the idea than anything else. I mentally prepared myself for this day since before I was pregnant. My husband and I knew we wanted one and I LOVE pregnancy, the beauty of birth, midwifery and everything that comes along with it. So I spent time remodeling my bathroom since I wanted to deliver in my garden tub. And it was my pregnancy project that helped me prepare and feel ready for birth.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I would say watching other birth stories. I personally watched the good bad and ugly. Hospital births, home births, birthing centers. You name it, I watched them! I compared the different births and read anything I could find to learn about the benefit for both mom and baby in natural birthing as well as hospital birthing. I wanted to know everything I could. Also, keep in mind I have already experienced both. This is my third child. My first was a hospital delivery, my second was a natural water birth. We're they both beautiful, yes! But also very different. So being open to learning as much as you can was the best preparation for this momma. Oh, and I have to give credit to the red raspberry leaf tea, and feccundi that I consumed throughout my entire pregnancy!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I am very convinced that because I was in my home, my comfort zone where I felt safe and in control that my labor progressed and I pushed her out so quickly. And again, the tea. This was my second pregnancy using it and, I know for sure it made my Labor both times quick, and highly effective.
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Research everything. Feel your mind with ask the positive things a natural birth brings for you and baby. Educate your self in hospital intervention, their procedures and see if that's within your comfort level.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Just being able to get up and wiggle around during contractions, making noise to get through the surges, breathing, and my number one favorite as the end got closer was that warm water in the tub. Unexplainable the amount of comfort it brought.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
When my sweet girls head crowned, I was standing up in the tub, I squatted down onto my knees in the water during the next push and she was born!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
The amount of positive emotion overwhelmed the room. The feeling of your baby in your arms, the pain is gone, and you feel more love than you have ever felt in a moment. All I could think is my baby is here, I did it, it's over and here she is! I kissed her, thanked Jehovah, and looked around at all the amazing people who supported me and got to share that incredible moment with me and my baby!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I would say, research everything. Feel your mind with ask the positive things a natural birth brings for you and baby. Educate your self in hospital intervention, their procedures and see if that's within your comfort level. Believe in yourself, and know that you can do it. Trust your body to birth your baby just as it has grown it for the past 9 months. I can promise you will be satisfied with your choice, and experience what a small amount of mom's get to have. You won't regret it, and you will probably never think of any other birth if you plan to have more children because it really is that good. Drink plenty of red raspberry leaf tea during your whole pregnancy. Eat well. Lastly I will say, not all are candidates for natural birth, or home birth. And that's okay. However you bring your baby here is beautiful and a gift! ?
