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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My labor technically started at 8:00 at night, but during previous nights I had experienced Braxton hicks contractions and was unsure if it was the real deal or not. It wasn't until a few hours later that I began to loose more of my mucus plug and contractions were getting worse and closer together that I realized it was the night my husband and I had been waiting for! After laboring at home for 7 hours on my exercise ball and in the hot shower, I finally decided we needed to leave around 3:00 a.m. once things were getting more intense!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I thought the most challenging aspect about going natural would be the pain; however it wasn't the pain necessarily. It was the fact that the day prior to delivery I had worked all day at the office and went into labor that night. I was exhausted by time it was time to push, I was so scared I was not going to be able to have enough energy to get through it. Obviously going natural, you are in so much pain that there is no sleeping. Somehow I managed to fight through it and kept my eye on the prize (my little man) and did it!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I had several helpful resources prior to childbirth including watching YouTube videos, reading articles and baby books, and talking with friends and family. The most helpful thing I decided to do was sign my husband and I up for a childbirth class a few weeks prior to going into labor. We signed up when I was 38 weeks just so the information would be fresh on our minds. I already knew a lot of the information based on the research I had done prior to the class, but I did learn a lot of pain management techniques which I am now so grateful for since it helped me accomplish my natural birth. Also, my husband really did learn a lot which helped him step up when I needed him during labor. He cheered me on and got me through the pain based on the information given in the class. He was my rock through the entire experience!
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What surprised you about your birth?
The most surprising thing about my birth was that no matter how much you prepare yourself and no matter how much you plan, sometimes things don't always go according to that plan. My husband and I really did our homework and discussed our preferences for our birth experience. We even had this really nice, drawn up birth plan that we made several copies of and took with us to the hospital. We were able to stick to the most important things; however there were a few things that got shot out the window. For example, I had read upon delayed cord clamping and was gung ho doing it after reading all of the benefits. My son got stuck by the shoulder for two minutes during delivery and came out not breathing. Since it was an emergency, the delivery team had to begin ventilating him and therefore had to cut the cord immediately. Not something my husband and I had originally planned, but at the end of the day you have to do what is best for your baby! Next time at least, we will be prepared for the worst and not be so naive. I now realize that things don't always go accordingly.
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Prepare and educate yourself prior to labor so you are not oblivious of what is to come and know how to handle it. I am no extraordinary person by any means and if I can do it, you can too!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
As far as pain relief, I really cannot emphasize enough for other mamas wanting to go natural just exactly how amazing water is. I'm not just talking about a warm refreshing shower, I am talking about HOT water! I stayed at home laboring for about 7 hours, 3 of which I was in and out of the hot shower. Once I got to the hospital, I opted to have intermediate fetal monitoring and declined an IV so I could use the shower there to help relieve my contractions. I also played very slow, relaxing music from my "Labor Playlist" that I had made on my iphone. Taking big, deep, relaxing breaths were necessary as well to get through each contraction. Lastly, I dimmed the lights and had lavender essential oil on hand to provide a tranquil atmosphere. These were all great strategies that I had read upon and had been recommended from loved ones.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I had wanted to delivery in a squat position, however I was so incredibly exhausted I ended up delivering almost flat on my back. This really did hinder my ability to push since gravity was not on my side, hence the reason I was pushing for 2 hours. I would not recommend position this to anyone and if I had to do it all over again, I would have really tried to give birth squatting.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Since my baby got stuck for two minutes and came out not breathing, I thought I had birthed a dead baby. I felt a terror unlike any other I had experienced prior to that moment. When I finally heard my baby cry and he was brought over to me, all I felt way joy and relief! I felt appreciation to the nurses and midwife who saved my precious son. It was by far the best moment of my life.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
The biggest piece of advice I can offer to the other mommies who want to go natural is believe in yourself. I really was scared that I couldn't do it, but kept telling myself that I could despite the pain and exhaustion I felt. Remind yourself that the pain is only temporary and it will be so beyond worth it at the end. Prepare and educate yourself prior to labor so you are not oblivious of what is to come and know how to handle it. I am no extraordinary person by any means and if I can do it, you can too!
