Doing a Lot of Squats and Stretches Helped Anna During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

With both my pregnancies, I've had major Braxton Hicks from week 20 onward-- but they are never painful. My first clue that I have been in true labor both times has been an actually painful contraction. In this case, I was relaxing in a rocking chair, talking with my mom, and got my first take-your-breath-away contraction. I didn't let on that I was having contractions until I had three of them ten minutes apart.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

This time around, going natural wasn't nearly as much of a challenge! In fact, thinking of getting an epidural made me nervous, because I had no clue what to expect if I got one.
Of course, entering transition-- when those contractions pile one on top of the other-- it is challenging. But by that point I was so near to the finish line that I didn't really mind. You have to keep reminding yourself that the "I can't do this" feeling is a positive. It means you're at the end of the marathon.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

I did a lot of squats and stretches. Although I did kegels, I didn't depend on them solely, since I was worried about tightening up my pelvic floor too much. Growing up in Asia, I mastered the "Asian squat," so as I did my household chores, etc, I tried to squat as much as possible. Stretches also made me feel flexible and ready for labor. Even by month 9 I felt like I was still fairly agile. (I'm sure my husband would laugh if he heard that.)
One area where I felt weak was my abdominal muscles. My first baby was born only 13 months before this one, and I never was able to build my core before morning sickness wiped the desire to exercise out of me. So by third trimester I felt a lot of abdominal pain and stretching in unhealthy/uncomfortable ways. A midwife friend gave me some safe, gentle exercises to do that gave me some assurance that I wasn't loading my body with more than it could handle.
I also drank loads of red raspberry leaf tea. It doesn't taste bad, and my (normally suspicious) sister swears that it made a difference in her labors. Essential oils (used sparingly and third trimester only) also may have helped-- at the very least, they relaxed me! One of my favorite parts of this labor was settling into a hot bath with geranium and clary sage essential oils-- I was able to both relax and focus through contractions so well. I confess that I'm not very "crunchy," but if something doesn't hurt and may help, I'm totally game!

What surprised you about your birth?

How different it was from the first! I had a 25 hour labor with my first-- 16 hours at home, and 9 at the hospital. When I arrived there I was in substantial pain, but only at 3 cm! (Although as my mom always reminds me, the dilation measurement means a lot less than your emotional state when it comes to labor!) Pushing was the "best" part with my first-- forty minutes of hard work, but a smooth entrance into the world.
My little Anastasia, however, took only 8.75 hours to enter the world, from first contraction to pushing her out. I was vacillating about going to the hospital, because although my contractions were 2 minutes apart, they were so easy to bear! Thankfully my husband and I decided to wake my mom and ask her opinion. "Two minutes apart for your second child-- let's get going," she said. And when we got there I was going on 8 cm. But it was all so easy this time around! I was still breathing/sounding through contractions and laughing/talking when they ebbed. When it came time to push, however-- WOW! It was so intense!! The nurse said I pushed her out in 6 minutes flat. Personally, I preferred the slower, smoother 40 minutes than 6 minutes of yelling, painful hell.
I let them break my water at 8 cm this time, and they swore baby would be out in 20 minutes. She was! But I almost preferred waiting until I was 10 and had been pushing for 10 minutes before my water broke-- which is what happened with my oldest daughter. It was less intense and sudden. So I do not think I'll agree to the water breaking next time, even if I do get to hold my little one within the hour!

Nothing on earth compares to getting to know your own newborn baby.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I moan a lot through my contractions. I may sound like a cow, but it really gives me something to focus on.
A hot bath at home is also awesome! And probably at the hospital, but I've been too focused to ask for one there.
When transition hits, I stand and rock while sounding. That has minimized the pain (haha, as much as possible) during both deliveries.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Tas came so quickly that I was lying supine! I had not interest in switching to any position I had hoped to push in (squatting or all fours) because the contractions were one after the other, and by my first push she was crowning. Ouch!

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

I'll never forget seeing them hold her up, red and squalling, and hearing my husband announce she was another girl!
I was a bit annoyed that she looked just like her dad, after all the work I'd gone through!
And... of course... I was absolutely thrilled. She was very angry and lively, and so I couldn't help but laugh. I got to cuddle her for a long time before they took her to be measured/weighed.
I also experienced some anxiety when they took her away. I think it was the adrenaline let-down after ten absolutely crazy minutes of pushing. It wasn't all roses and rainbows after she was out-- sometimes you are so exhausted that all you feel is relief. But never worry, the rush comes as you are able to relax and settle down. Nothing on earth compares to getting to know your own newborn baby.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Get through each contraction. Don't think about the next! Then, when you hit that point you're not getting a break, and can't stand it, tell yourself, "This means I'm at the finish line!"
Don't pay too much attention when your dilation measurement isn't progressing as quickly as you'd like. Your emotional state tells a lot more about how quickly things are happening. I went from 4-10 cm in about an hour my first time around, after hours of being "stuck" at 3.
Be proud of yourself! When you begin doubting your strength, ask your husband/doula/mom/partner, "Can I do this?" They'll remind you how strong and amazing you are! This is one time of your life that you can demand all the praise and affirmation you want!