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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke the night before around midnight, but I wasn't having contractions. I knew that this meant they would (hopefully!) start soon, though!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This birth (my second) wasn't entirely natural, as my first was. The midwife on call asked me to come in for a non-stress test the morning after my water broke only to find that my baby went into a transverse lie, and because my water had broken, no one was willing or able to try to turn the baby because of a possible cord prolapse or other issues that could occur. I was told that the only option was a cesarean and I was devastated: my first baby's birth was natural, at the birth center, and completely magical. The midwife, Advah, accompanied me to the hospital across the street. Upon arrival, they asked to do another internal exam just to check and the baby was vertex! I asked if we could go back to the birth center and if I could take castor oil (as was the original plan before we found out the baby was transverse), but they explained that because the baby had a hard time getting into a vertex position as it was, that they thought moving more quickly might keep a vaginal birth on the table since the baby could turn again. They recommended a medicine called Cytotec to be taken orally to start contractions. After four hours, I was finally dilated a bit and it seemed to be working so they gave me more. In a matter of an hour, I went from three to ten centimeters and pushed the baby out in 15 minutes because those Cytotec contractions hurt so much worse than the natural ones I remember having (much more gradually) with my firstborn. The pain was the most intense I have ever felt and that was the most challenging part! (And why I made sure to push like a banshee so it would just be over!)
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Prenatal yoga and breathing exercises, and watching lots of Ina videos!
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What surprised you about your birth?
The fact that I needed medicine to have contractions was very unexpected. My midwives describes my first birth as a textbook/standard natural first birth experience--everything was by the book! This one threw me for a loop!
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It is the most exhilarating thing I have ever experienced!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and not cleaning my teeth and allowing myself the space to make whatever kind of noises I needed to.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Squatting while holding onto the bed above me (it was a hospital bed, so the head was raised so i could hold onto it).
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relieving!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
It is the most exhilarating thing I have ever experienced!
