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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had some pre-labor signs and strong Braxton Hicks contractions Saturday night that were difficult to sleep through. Around 3 o'clock Sunday morning, I became unable to sleep and wanted to be up more. By 7 o'clock, I realized that I was not going to make it to church that morning so I alerted our music minister since I play keyboard and notified my midwife and doula. By 11 a.m. we were headed to the birth cottage. about 7:30 PM I was ready to push, and our baby girl was born at 8:20 that night.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I chose to give birth out of hospital which is basically unheard of in my area by most people. The most challenging thing for me was keeping quiet. I did not want to listen to naysayers and be told horror stories of births so I did not tell many people outside of my close friends and support system my plans.
During the birth, the hardest thing was trying to eat and drink enough to keep up my strength. Nothing sounded appetizing and my doula spent most of her time coaxing me with different snacks.
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First-touch
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did was read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and watch countless birth videos. I felt very prepared about what to expect, variations of normal, and ways to cope with labor. I remember one time hearing the sounds I was making and knowing from the change that I was close to the pushing phase.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I didn't have a very obvious transition phase, at least to me it wasn't distinguishable from the rest of labor. I kept waiting for the dreaded "transition" period to occur, dreading it the whole time (though I didn't realize that's what I was doing during labor). Also, the way baby was positioned and because my water breaking was more of a slow leak and not a large gush, I felt pressure for most of labor starting around 5-6 cm. I spent most of my labor trying not to push even though I had a slight urge. Once I was completely dilated though, the urge was unmistakable!
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I'm loving that we are bonding more and more each day now that we are more established in our nursing relationship.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I had a terrible ache in my hips and back that massage barely touched. The best feeling thing at all was when my doula did the hip squeeze. It was effective some of the time. Most of the time it wasn't quite in the right spot but I couldn't communicate up/down/left/right directions during contractions to help her fix it.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I started pushing side lying for 3 - 6 contractions, I don't remember exactly. After those, I pushed on hands and knees for a little while before my midwife suggested moving to the birth stool to really bring her down. Finally, we were approved to get into the tub for the last few pushes.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was so different than I thought it would be! I was so glad to be done, but felt achy all over after she was born, so I was a little disappointed that I didn't feel instantly well again. We were very excited to hold her because her gender was a secret to us until Dad got to have a peek and announce it to the room. Thank you Mama Natural for including in the week by week pregnancy guide that all Mama's are different. I didn't have an overwhelming emotional love moment with her until day 2 or 3 of her life. It just didn't happen for me at the birth. I'm loving that we are bonding more and more each day now that we are more established in our nursing relationship.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The best part of the class for me was the Facebook group. I was so encouraged to be able to hear other mama's stories, experiences, advice, and worries. It made me feel like I had a place to go for support and a place to share ups and downs of pregnancy, birth, and first weeks with baby.
