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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had a membrane sweep and 2 days later my water broke in my sleep. Contractions were irregular, but my doula told me to go in. This doctor with big hands wanted to check me. I declined. He tried to bully me into a section because I was VBAC with PROM and Crohn's. They tried to force pitocin on me, and when I realized I was on their clock I immediately signed myself out. Labor stopped. I went home around 1 pm, ate dinner, walked, took a benedryl and went to bed around 8 pm. Contractions started back up as soon as I got home but not regular. I woke around midnight with contractions 4-5 min apart. I was so scared of that on call OB that I paced my home in labor until 5:30 AM. My contractions were 3 min apart and 60-90 sec long when we left. I let my hubby sleep until 5 am.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Advocating for myself. Telling doctors and nurses, "No, this is my plan and as long as our vitals are good, this is what we are doing. I declined continuous monitoring, and pitocin. I declined pain relief meds for most of the labor as well. I also left the hospital when labor stalled. I had to protect myself from the medical system many times.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did lots of yoga and breathing exercises. During labor I used the shower for pain relief and lots of Ina May's horse lips, and low pitched moaning. I chanted "Open, open, open." I kept the lights dim and used LED tea lights as a focal point. My husband and doula were wonderful support. I highly recommend a doula. I also drank a ton of red raspberry leaf tea starting in my second trimester.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My first baby was 6 lbs and a c-section. My second baby was 8 lb 3 oz, and he came out with a fist by his cheek.I could not believe how big he was and he was my VBAC. I did it!!!
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You got this. You are the mother. You are the decider. Do your research and make an evidence based birth plan. My labor was tough, but I am now pregnant with my 3rd child and will absolutely try to go fully natural again.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Because my son had a compound presentation, aka a fist by his cheek, my transition lasted 7 hours. At one point I told my husband to take me out back and blow my brains out. I also labored with broken waters the entire time which I hear is more painful as well. After about 20 hours of labor I used 1 shot of fentanyl which only lasts about 1 hour, and that helped me complete transition. I think its a good option because you aren't stuck with it for hours if it doesn't agree with you. It only lasts an hour. Also because of that, it doesn't affect the baby after birth.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
When the fentanyl wore off, I was finally allowed to push. I pushed on my back but my bed was propped up. I would do a sit up and curl around him and roar low and loud with every push. I got him out in under an hour. At first I was scared to push, but I quickly realized it felt good. I felt the ring of fire, but it had nothing on the 7 hour transition. Labor hurt way worse than pushing. I did have a second degree tear but I didnt feel it.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
The relief and triumph I felt when they placed him on my chest was the best feeling ever. I cackled like a mad women for a good 2 minutes. I think they thought my mind broke. It was such a powerful euphoric feeling. That feeling was the biggest surprise. 22 hours of pain was worth that feeling. It was burned into my brain and I could relive it months later. I could just hug my baby and get this mini rush of euphoria. I was also surprised at how alert and strong my son was. He was throwing his head around on my chest looking for a breast. My daughter was so sleepy from the c-section breastfeeding was hard. My son knew exactly what to do. No pain, no issues.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You got this. You are the mother. You are the decider. Do your research and make an evidence based birth plan. My labor was tough, but I am now pregnant with my 3rd child and will absolutely try to go fully natural again.
