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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I started having stomach cramps around midnight that woke me out of sleep, but I wasn't sure if it was labor yet. I remember waking my husband up to tell him it could be the start of something. When they were waking me up consistently about every 20 minutes, I figured I was probably in early labor. Like Maura discussed in Mama Natural's birth course, I ended up retreating to a private bedroom to really focus on what I was feeling, and my body started shivering in between the contractions, so I called my midwife to check in. She warned me that these contractions could fizzle out and start up again in a few days.. but when I got in the bath and they kept on getting stronger, I was pretty positive my baby was coming!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me, the most challenging part was the pushing stage. It's funny, because the entire time I was in labor, I kept dreading and fearing transition since everyone had told me it was the most intense and challenging stage. Of course I thought the contractions were painful, but there wasn't really any point where I felt like I needed drugs. When my midwife told me I was complete and it was time to push, I asked her, "When am I going to feel transition?!" and she replied, with a big smile, "You already did that! That's done!" I couldn't believe I had gotten through what was supposed to be the most intense part of labor without really realizing it. Pushing, however, was really exhausting for me and I had thoughts that I'd need a C-section because I just couldn't fathom getting him out. It felt like such strenuous work that made such little progress. I especially started to panic when I felt the "ring of fire" burning, and I told the midwives I wanted to stop because I didn't want to feel that pain. At a certain point, I had to bear down and make the decision to literally push through the pain and exhaustion because, of course, it would be the only way to meet my baby!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read several books while preparing for childbirth, including Mama Natural's book and Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. I also took Mama Natural's birth course. Absorbing the advice, stories, and encouragement from these women allowed me to realize that not only is my body capable delivering naturally, it is also MEANT to do so. Although I was nervous for childbirth several times throughout my pregnancy, it helped me to think of all the women who had done it before me. By surrounding myself with positive birth stories, I was able to access the confidence I needed to go into my labor knowing I could handle whatever came my way.
It was also extremely helpful to have had the tips about breathing and keeping my jaw relaxed with exercises like "horse lips." Those were essential, especially towards the end, so that I was able to persevere without pushing too early (before my cervix was ready.)
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What surprised you about your birth?
How short it was and felt! Everyone had warned me that as a first time mom, my labor could be quite long, and that I'd probably end up heading to the birth center too early only to be told I was 2-3 cm dilated. After laboring for about seven hours at home, my contractions still weren't quite 3 minutes apart, but they were very strong and lasting for five minutes each. I didn't feel like there was a break in between them for me to rest. I made the decision to call my midwife and head to the birthing center to be checked, praying that they wouldn't send me home when I got there. I walked in, mid-contraction, insisting that they had to admit me because I couldn't leave. It was the best news of my life when they told me I was 7-8 cm dilated! After laboring another hour, and pushing for an hour and a half, my baby arrived! I had labored almost entirely at home without even realizing it. My labor was quite short for a first time mom, but even the 8 hours of pain didn't feel like 8 hours.
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I just shut my eyes and took the moment. I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I could hardly catch my breath. It was the most amazing thing I've ever felt.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through the contractions and using the "horse lips" technique were helpful in allowing me to focus on something other than the pain. Also, being on all fours during the contractions helped me to brace myself as they came on. But the shower and the tub were miraculous in terms of pain relief! My midwife had me on all fours on the shower floor and then aimed the shower stream right on my lower back, which gave me some relief. Even though I didn't deliver in the tub, being able to labor in there (during what I later realized was my transition phase) made the end of my labor bearable.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I pushed in different positions (on the toilet, on all fours, and on my back) but ended up delivering on my side so as not to tear as much.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was such a surreal moment to hold my baby for the first time. Ironically, even though I had just gone through such intense physical pain, it felt like an out-of-body experience. He came out screaming, and as my midwife placed him on my chest, I just remember embracing him and crying right along with him. I was so relieved that he was here safely and that I was done pushing, I just shut my eyes and took the moment. I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I could hardly catch my breath. It was the most amazing thing I've ever felt.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The Mama Natural Birth Class helped me and my husband know what to expect with a natural childbirth. It provided me with tools and exercises that I used at the end of my pregnancy as well as during labor that I believe made the difference for me in being able to withstand natural childbirth. I think the most important thing, though, is that the positive stories I heard and the encouragement radiating from the course really empowered me to want to make it through the other side.
