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When did you realize you were really in labor?
We spent all day walking, out on the boat fishing, very active. By the evening when I was making dinner I could tell my "Braxton Hicks" were coming at regular intervals so I guess this was early labor. We went out for ice cream after dinner and then I knew for sure things were picking up when the early labor diarrhea started ha!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Experiencing transition on the 15 min car ride to the hospital was the hardest part. Every bump made things worse, and all I wanted to do was stand up. I kept telling my husband "pull over, I have to stand up". But good thing he didn't because we would have ended up having the baby on the side of the road, we barely made it to the hospital. Water broke in the waiting room when we arrived at 3:45a was already 10cm +1 station. Baby was born by 4:16a.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Do your homework. Seriously, it makes all the difference. With my first I went in wanting to go natural but I didn't have the knowledge to stay away from the interventions that lead to my c-section. This time I did my homework. See a chiropractor, I credit my chiropractor with getting my baby and pelvis in position for a QUICK labor. Read birth stories. Listen to affirmations. Drink red raspberry leaf tea. Take epo. Stretch. Walk, run jog, stay active. Having a natural birth takes work from the moment your are pregnant. But it's worth every single minute.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It really wasn't as painful as I remember it being. Maybe it is because I was in the right frame of mind this time, or because I did my homework on pain managmanet. But, it was almost enjoyable up until transition. Then pushing was such a relief.
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There are no words to describe that feeling. It's like an out of body experience, you are in another world with your baby.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Repeating affirmation in my head. And reminding myself of all the reasons I wanted to go natural kept me grounded.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back in bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relieved. Shocked. Elated. There are no words to describe that feeling. It's like an out of body experience, you are in another world with your baby.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
It gave me the information I needed to have the birth I always dreamed of. Told me how to prepare my body and mind for the most amazing experience of my life.
