Bouncing In An Exercise Ball And Sex Helped Julia During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I started dilating at 35 weeks and lost my mucus plug. My doctor was worried that I wouldn't make it to full term so I had to take it easy until he finally came at 39 weeks. I actually had a dream my water broke so I went to the bathroom to see if it would and nothing happened so I went back to bed and then it broke an hour later at 3:15 am in bed! (Ew!) Luckily my mother came over and helped clean it up while I took a quick shower and we made it to the hospital by 4 am which is when I started getting contractions.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I had really bad back labor even though he was facing the right way so trying to manage the pain and distract myself from it as much as possible.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

The exercise ball! That's all I did was bounce on that for the week before he came and also sex.

What surprised you about your birth?

How fast he came! We got there at 4 am and he was out at 6:08 am! Also how big he was! 9lbs 3oz...and I'm not that big. I tore so bad that I actually had to be taken away from him and go to the operating room to get everything repaired...which was the hardest part and the only not natural part :(

Have a support team that will help keep you on the right path and know that something's just need to happen

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I had really intense back labor so having my husband or mom messaging my back and applying heat helped a lot while the other comforted me through the pain.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I was laying on my side until pushing then the doctor asked me to lay on my back with my legs up in the normal position. I pushed for 5 min and he was out...he was healthy but looked like he got beat up because his face hit my tail bone on his way out.

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

It was honestly the best feeling in the world...it made everything worth it and he wanted to breast feed right away! He did such a good job latching on! I'm so glad breastfeeding has been so easy for us!

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Have a support team that will help keep you on the right path and know that something's just need to happen...i wasn't expecting to be put under for surgery right afterwards but it needed to happen otherwise I would not be healthy.