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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Although I was dreaming of and planning on a home birth for my son's delivery, the universe had other plans in store for us! After a very healthy and smooth pregnancy, I developed gestational hypertension and preeclampsia at 37 weeks, so in a whirlwind change of plans we were now headed to the hospital for an induction. It took 2 days for my cervix to be ready for pitocin, and once that pitocin kicks in, you certainly know you're in labor! Those contractions aren't messing around. I went from slight cramping to full blown contractions every 1-2 minutes.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My entire pregnancy I was sure going natural was the best choice for me and my baby. When you're planning a home birth, there really isn't another option so the thought to use pain medication never even crossed my mind. Once we learned I would be induced, the fear of requesting drugs or an epidural during labor was racing through my mind. I knew pitocin was intense and often leads to further interventions (the dreaded "cascade of interventions".) During the most painful contractions I just kept thinking, "I am stronger than pitocin!". This mantra really helped me stay focused and I never once faltered in my quest to keep my hospital birth drug free!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Although there are many aspects of pregnancy and childbirth outside of our control, there are so many ways we can prepare our bodies and minds to stay strong throughout both. A healthy combination of rest and physical activity was extremely helpful to me during my pregnancy. The birth of my son was the most intense and physically demanding event of my life and I can't imagine going through that without preparing both my head and my body. Daily walks, strength training 2-3x/week and then lots and lots of rest really prepared me. I also highly recommend self care and body work; I regularly saw my acupuncturist, chiropractor/craniosacral therapist and physical therapist throughout pregnancy. And finally positive affirmations (like the Mama Natural birth affirmation cards) and reading as many positive birth stories as possible helped prepare my mind for the challenge ahead.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised how mentally demanding the pushing stage was for me. Although pushing was a relief to my body as the contractions were much less intense, I felt more mentally fatigued as I continued to push and push with "no change". My birth team kept encouraging me and affirming that yes, I was making progress, but I just didn't feel it. I changed to a seated position, sat quietly with my husband in a (somewhat) secluded space and finally felt my son's head lower after a few more pushes. Then I knew I could do it! Less than 10 minutes later, my son was here!
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Experiencing that with my husband was definitely one of the best moments of my life and I'll never forget it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Thank goodness for water! Laboring in the tub was the only way I could get through the contractions. I got out once to labor over a birth ball and immediately got back in the tub. My husband and mom took turns spraying my low back with hot water during contractions and that also helped to distract from the intense pain. Besides being in warm water, the other tool that helped the most was letting myself make whatever noises I needed to make. Initially I focused on breathing through contractions but quickly changed to low, loud moans and groans. Those sounds felt very natural and instinctual to me in the moment and helped me ride the waves of contractions much more effectively.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I pushed in every position imaginable but eventually birthed my son kneeling with my upper body supported by the inclined hospital bed. This felt so natural to me as gravity helped my son move downward and I was supported by the bed as my legs were understandably very tired by this point!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I felt euphoric holding my son for the first time. The hours and hours of labor, the fatigue, the hunger- that all fades away and you're left with the most enchanting feeling of holding your beautiful baby. Experiencing that with my husband was definitely one of the best moments of my life and I'll never forget it.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
My biggest takeaway from the Mama Natural birth birthing class was to not let my head get in the way of my body. Birth is such a natural, physical event and our bodies are born knowing how to do this. We can support our bodies through the choices we make in pregnancy and delivery, but in the moment we need to turn off the thinking and just breathe that baby out! I also really, really enjoyed the support of the Mama Natural online community throughout pregnancy and postpartum as well. Having a community of other natural mamas to turn to for questions and advice was so helpful and really special. I can't imagine going through my first pregnancy without that support.
