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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Friday evening, Dec 15th. I had a membrane sweep earlier in the day and my contractions started to come on later in the evening. At first they were slow and then they started to become more steady and consistent.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Probably not using pain medicine. During the transition I was begging my midwife to get my daughter out of me and for some sort of relief. Once I got her head out I was fine, and once she was born instantly a flash of relief washed over me.
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BirthBW6
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Watching the documentary "the business of being born" it reassured me that I was making the right choice switching from my OBGYN to a midwife practice. In addition, I also did hypnobabies home course. During the beginning of my labor pains it was very helpful however, towards the end I wasn't able to focus.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I actually did everything naturally. Not many women in my family have been able to deliver natural, they never fully dilated. So when I was 37 weeks and I had already started to dilate, I cried. I was so shocked that my body was doing what it was supposed to do. When I checked in the day to deliver at 41+1 I was already 4 CM and pretty thinned out.
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I would say that you can do it, it's tough. Labor is hard work, but breathe through it all and take it one contraction at a time.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Just breathing through it as best as I could.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back in bed. I originally wanted to do birth plan, but I wasn't able to and I honestly wasn't very comfortable laboring in any other position then sitting up indian style.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relieved and instantly in love.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I would say that you can do it, it's tough. Labor is hard work, but breathe through it all and take it one contraction at a time.
