-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had gone to the doctor earlier that day for my 39 week check up. She stretched my cervix and scraped my membranes. She told me to expect contractions. I had had the same procedure done 3 times with my son but never had symptoms afterwards, so I didn't really know what to expect. That afternoon we went to the mall to walk around, where I started to have some contractions. The contractions continued through the day but weren't consistent until about 6:30 that evening. We went for a walk hoping to help the contractions along and they seemed to stop. About 30 minutes later they came back with a vengeance. At this point I knew I was in labor. I labored at home for another four hours at which point I started transition. I was still in denial until I was on the way to the hospital vomiting into a tray. An hour after arriving at the hospital, our beautiful little girl was in my arms.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
There are so many interventions in a hospital birth. Standing firm, knowing and expressing what you want from your birth and team are important in actually having a natural hospital birth. At some point, the pain may get so intense you will want to give up and give in to the pressures. This is when you have to remind yourself, that this is what your body is made to do. Trust your body, it is stronger than you think.
-
14825
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Surround yourself with positivity, a team with similar beliefs and educate yourself. Knowing your options ahead of time, will help make a decision in the heat of the moment. Focusing on breathing, moving through and feeling your body to get through the contractions, helped to minimize the pain. Due to a high risk pregnancy for multiple reasons, there was potential for c-section. I was sure to discuss my wishes in this case with my husband so he knew what to do in the case of such an event. He was fully prepared no matter what our situation was.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
This birth was completely different from my first. Since I was in labor for 19 hours with my first, I was expecting a long labor again with this one. However, she had other plans. I had expressed to my doctor what I wanted from this birth, which i had not done with my first. So, when we arrived at the hospital and I was ready to deliver, my plan was already in place. This labor was so smooth, the midwife and nurses literally stood back and watched me deliver. The nurses just stood there starring at each other, while the midwife narrated what was happening with the birth. My body took charge and did what it was supposed to do. Within 15 minutes of being in the delivery room, I was holding my baby in my arms.
-
Holding her in my arms for the first time was incredible. We had been through so much to get to this point, it was almost surreal.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being able to move around helped me so much. I was able to change positions to find a new one that was more comfortable with every contraction. Breathing and massage also helped to take the pain away and keep my mind off of the pain. I focused on feeling my body and the contractions to get through them as well.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on my hands and knees which was amazing. In this position, my body was able to do the work for me and I used less energy. I could bare down better and it felt more natural than laboring on my back like I did with my first delivery.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Holding her in my arms for the first time was incredible. We had been through so much to get to this point, it was almost surreal.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself, know your options and communicate with your team. Keep an open mind in the event of a necessary intervention. Don't listen to the horror stories and how bad the pain is. It's going to hurt, plain and simple, but the pain will go away. Remind yourself this is what your body is supposed to do. It's supposed to feel pain. It's supposed to birth this baby and if you trust the process, and focus on getting through the pain, it'll be over before you know it.
