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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At 2:30 am I lost my mucus plug very noticeably. I began to research how soon after labor could start. Then a little before 4 am I started having contractions. They were wildly irregular for 2 1/2 hours and so I thought it possible that they were just Braxton Hicks. However right around 6:30 the bloody show came and the contractions suddenly sped up to about every 2 minutes. The sudden change shocked me but I wasn't convinced I was in labor yet. Finally my husband got home and we rushed to the hospital. On the way i started having the urge to push. Around 9:30 I was measuring at 4 cm. After 1 more contraction I measured 6 cm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pain mixed with exhaustion. I was so tired and weak from a night of contractions that it was difficult to follow all the midwife's instructions about what to do while pushing. And pushing was Hard!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I wish I had done more, but it was helpful to have an idea of what would happen. Knowing that the birth of the baby wasn't the end, or that tearing may occur ensured that I wasn't surprised on the big day.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was so surprised by how quickly it all happened. Though I endured 4 hours of labor at home, alone, the full labor and delivery only lasted about 7 hours. I know this isn't the case for most people, so I was quite shocked when my midwife said I'd probably have the baby before lunch. And I did! I was also surprised that I was actually able to endure the natural birth. I had been on the fence about it but the speedy delivery and my late arrival to the hospital made it almost impossible to have an epidural. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I'm so glad I experienced it! The greatest pain and the greatest joys of my life were only moments apart. It was incredible! I never thought I was strong enough to do it naturally, but it's true... you're stronger than you realize.
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You can do this. You ARE stronger than you know. Trust me, you'll be glad you experienced it all.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Screaming helped me. I didn't really research any strategies, but the release of screaming was satisfying. Also in between contractions the distraction of having my husband talk to me was helpful. Another thing that I found helpful dealt with my legs. My husband and a nurse held my legs in position while I pushed. For me, personally, it was less painful for them to continue to hold my legs than to put them down and pick them back up as the contraction started again.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I laid on my back with my knees bent.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was an odd experience. She was still covered in... stuff, and she wasn't fully on my chest because the cord had yet to be cut. It was so emotional, but I was also so exhausted.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
To the mamas who are still unsure or afraid: you can do this. You ARE stronger than you know. Trust me, you'll be glad you experienced it all. It wI'll be hard and you'll call us all liars and wonder if pregnancy was worth it, but in the end you'll be So glad you did it. And you, yes you, CAN Do this. Also, if you have any special requests or a certain way you want to do things make sure to tell your doctor/nurses/miswife/doula early on; once the pain and exhaustion take over, it is likely you'll forget all about those things. So, if it's important to you, say it early.
