Reading And Watching Natural Birth Stories Helped Priscilla During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

When I woke up from a nap with my toddler my contractions were still there and were getting closer together. I had had prodromal labor the two previous nights but the contractions were gone by the morning.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

My ultimate goal was to have a VBAC so I knew that the less medical interventions the better the chance of having my VBAC. I labored 5 hours at home and an additional 19 hrs in the hospital with severe back labor before giving in to the epidural. That back labor is no joke.

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

Even tho in the end I didn’t get the natural birth that I wanted, I still feel that reading about natural birth and watching other people’s birth stories online I was a lot more prepared for what was coming than compared to my first birth.

What surprised you about your birth?

That I actually was able to give birth how my body was designed to. After having a c-section last time, I doubted by body’s ability to actually do it. I was also surprised at how supportive my husband was during labor (I believe having a doula helped us both remain calm).

Be prepared and don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go exactly as you want. You can find the beauty in birth no matter how you give birth!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Before the epidural: walking, birth ball, swaying during contractions, the tub.

Changing positions often helped me to keep going.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I’m bed since I had the epidural.

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

I had the vision of getting my baby right away after he came out. However, there was meconium when he was born so they had to take him and suction him before I could hold him. Thankfully they did it all in the room and my husband was able to be by him right away. Those were the longest 5 minutes ever! When I finally had him in my arms I knew all the pain was over and I just couldn’t believe it that he was finally here! He was 11 days late!

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

Be prepared and don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go exactly as you want. You can find the beauty in birth no matter how you give birth!