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When did you realize you were really in labor?
All day I had been having cramps. I started having a few contractions while making a late dinner, but my husband and I went to bed to try and get as much sleep as possible. Around 3:30 in the morning I woke my husband because I knew that things were starting to happen.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Fortunately I had a ton of support from my husband and also his family and my family. For me the hardest thing was to face my own fear of birth. Being a first time mom I was nervous about if my body would know what to do. But it did and our birth story was beautiful.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read and did as much research as I could, watched natural birth videos on YouTube, and practiced relaxation techniques in the weeks leading up to birth . We also found a wonderful midwife team and an amazing doula.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quickly the hours went by. I didn't even know how long I had labored. I had to ask what time of day it was. It was just my doula, my husband and I working through contractions.
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For me the hardest thing was to face my own fear of birth. Being a first time mom I was nervous about if my body would know what to do. But it did and our birth story was beautiful.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Heat pads and gentle massage on my back, bouncing on my birth ball and deep breathing.
When I was 7-8 cm dilated I climbed into the birth pool and it was sweet relief!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my hands and knees in the birth pool. It was so nice being in the water because I could move freely and find a position that worked for me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was such a precious moment. My husband was in the water with me and caught our son. He handed him to me and we both just gazed at our baby.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Research as much as possible and find a good birth team. Having a doula was also huge for us. Her presence was calming for both my husband and I. And learn to be in tune to your body and trust it to know what to do.
