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When did you realize you were really in labor?
As I got in bed at 1:55am, I felt rhythmic, mild back pains. I decided to ignore it and try to sleep anyway, but the baby was doing all sorts of movements inside me, almost like jumping jack's! About 5 minutes into that, just as I was drifting off to sleep, I felt a warm gush.... my water broke! We got up and headed to the hospital. I had a course of contractions here and there in the next couple hours.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My body just couldn't get into a rhythm of contractions. They would be 3 minutes apart and then nothing for an hour. So, 13 hours after my water broke we had no choice but to start Pitocin. I was determined not to get an epidural, but having Pitocin with back labor was torture. I still ended up not getting the epidural so I am happy about that.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read and read and read. I researched natural labors and was totally convinced that natural is better for baby and mama. I also prepared my husband and told him what to expect during labor and how I would need him to support me.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It didn't go anything like I planned! I wanted an intervention free labor, but my body required pitocin. Also, I went from 6 to 10 cm in 5 minutes, but didn't know it.
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Believe in yourself. Have good support. And don't expect things to go the way you plan.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I had horrible back labor which the pitocin made excruciating. I had my husband press a heated rice pack on my lower back really hard during contractions and then rub the top of my back, which helped distract me from the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I had been standing or leaning over the bed during all of labor, but then the midwife wanted to check my cervix which I had to get in bed for. Even though 5 minutes prior I was only at 6cm, she recognized transition and knew things were moving fast. At that point I was already 10cm and the baby was nearly crowning. So I ended up exactly how I didn't want to be... on my back in bed, but there was no time to move!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
After such a long and painful labor and super fast arrival I felt unprepared for the moment but grateful she was healthy. It was a surreal feeling to know she had arrived and the birth that I had been preparing months for was over.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself. Have good support. And don't expect things to go the way you plan... I wanted an intervention free labor but unfortunately my body needed help to get baby out. Still, be proud of the amazing thing that you've accomplished.
