-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having Braxton Hicks for weeks- since about 35 weeks along. I got my cerclage removed at 36.3 and thought I would go into labor soon after, but ended up lasting until 39.3. My first contraction came at 2 AM and I waited about an hour before waking my husband.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Having had a scare around 20 weeks- I was dilating and my cervix was rapidly shortening so I had an emergency cerclage placed at 23 weeks- it had me doubting I would even make it to full term! I was fearful of a premature birth and a hospital labor, but knew whatever was right for me and my baby would happen. My birth center would not let us labor there until 37 weeks so we had fingers crossed that we would at least make it that far. When I crossed over into 39 weeks I was thankful, but starting to worry I would be overdue!
-
IMG_5630
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I wasn't able to exercise very much as I was on pelvic rest for the second half of pregnancy, but I continued going on walks multiple times a week, took a childbirth class with Penny Simkin and started drinking red raspberry leaf tea once I was past 37 weeks. I also created an affirmation banner around 36 weeks and hung it in the house to see positive encouragement regularly leading up to labor.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
I thought I would have been in labor longer, this being my first; From start to finish it was 17 hours. It also wasn't as painful as I anticipated. I managed pretty well and everything came pretty naturally to me until I was fully dilated and starting to push- that's when things got really intense. Also, I thought birthing the placenta would be painless, but after pushing out a baby, the last thing I wanted to do was push any more!
-
Believe in yourself! I had many people around me that were worried and doubtful of a natural birth outside of a hospital setting, but my husbands and my confidence in our decision was all I needed to know we could do it! Also- trust the team around you and go with the flow. It was so essential that I had my midwives and doula coaching me and helping my body naturally profess with positions and exercises. I emotionally turned into myself, took my teams advice and focused on birthing my baby down. You can do it!
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Although my baby wasn't posterior, I had back labor the entire time. Luckily I got a break between contractions, but I basically needed continuous counter pressure on my back the entire 17 hours. Towards the end a cool washcloth on my back was also helpful. I'm so so glad that we decided to hire a doula so my husband could place pressure on my back and the doula could provide comfort, encouragement, and most importantly- someone to hold onto during those hours of pushing. I was pretty out of it, but the midwives later told me that at the very end I had my doula in a headlock and was screaming in her face! Luckily she is an awesome person who appreciated the rawness and said it was one of the best labors she'd attended.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
In the last hour I moved around a lot- went from the toilet to the birthing stool to all fours and finally delivered lying on my side. I was so surprised that my labor was natural and went as good as I could have hoped. Plus- I didn't tear (!), which was a fear of mine.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was surreal. Once he was in position, he came out pretty quickly. Apparently as soon as his head was out, he took a breath before his body was birthed. I loved having my husband tell me, "it's a boy!" and my heart exploded to see the joy on his face. I was exhausted, but felt fully at peace with my baby boy in my arms and was so relieved that the labor was over!
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself! I had many people around me that were worried and doubtful of a natural birth outside of a hospital setting, but my husbands and my confidence in our decision was all I needed to know we could do it! Also- trust the team around you and go with the flow. It was so essential that I had my midwives and doula coaching me and helping my body naturally profess with positions and exercises. I emotionally turned into myself, took my teams advice and focused on birthing my baby down. You can do it!
