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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at 5 in the morning so that was a pretty definite sign that I was either in labor or would be going into labor soon!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing was getting through the pain of each contraction. I progressed very slowly so it was frustrating knowing how slowly I was dilating for going through so much pain.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
We read a Bradley Method book to help give my husband ideas on how to support me during labor and this really helped. Having him actively involved in my labor not only provided me a lot of pain relief as he provided excellent counter pressure in my hips and back but I never felt alone in the journey. I couldn't have done it without his involvement.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Pushing was a lot more difficult than I thought. I figured I knew how to push out a bowel movement so pushing my son out would be the same. But it took me 3 hours of pushing for him to come and it wasn't right until the end that I felt like I understood how to push.
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After doing it natural I never want to do it any other way. I feel so empowered by my body and the potential it holds.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Counter pressure was the best pain relief strategy at one point my husband was literally sitting on my hips during contractions! I also used nitrous oxide which was very helpful in easing my anxiety in the beginning. I'm not as sure if it really did a lot towards the end of my labor, the really intense part, but having it and using it made me feel like I was doing something, so it did help me mentally feel like I was being proactive in my pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I planned on a water birth and pushed for 1.5 hours in the tub but wventually got into the bed and pushed on my back and both sides and ended up giving birth on my back with the nurse and my husband holding each leg up in the air.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing and the biggest relief ever! I couldn't believe he was actually in my arms!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
After doing it natural I never want to do it any other way. I feel so empowered by my body and the potential it holds. I just want to share with every woman that they can do it, but you can't just go into it wanting to go natural, you must have determination and a plan. The idea of pain meds and epidurals never even crossed my mind in the midst of labor because it was our plan and my mind was set. It also is important to have a team that is on board with your plan as well. My husband and nurses never posed the idea of pains meds which made the idea out of sight out of mind!
