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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I really wasn't sure until I was 6-10 hours in. I had the contractions but they didn't feel like I'd heard them described, I thought baby was just turning her head a lot. I had Sciatica badly for the last few weeks so everything hurt all ready.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Pain management. My contractions came one on top of another with little to no breaks in between. I had been expecting breaks to rest. My labor lasted 28 hours, so I really could've used the rest!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read the Bradley method book, the book by Ina May Gaskin, and did a lot of other reading and research on natural birth and labor too! That knowledge was what gave me the resolve to get through labor without requesting pain meds.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Everything! The crazy contractions, how long it took. My water didn't break on its own, my midwife broke it to help speed up my labor as I was reaching exhaustion. Overall, nothing seemed like what I had read. I suppose they're right when they say every labor is different!
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Have a calming person that you trust present. My midwife was out of state when I went into labor so I got someone else who was equally good, but much more intense. My whole labor felt so much more under control when my calm, relaxed midwife made it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The birth pool! It was the only place I was able to relax.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back. I was kneeling for most of the pushing phase but for the last 5 minutes I was on my back with my legs supported by my midwives.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Honestly, relieving! I was so exhausted!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Have a calming person that you trust present. My midwife was out of state when I went into labor so I got someone else who was equally good, but much more intense. My whole labor felt so much more under control when my calm, relaxed midwife made it.
