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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been losing bits of mucus plug all day, then about 5 PM my water broke.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My first birth experience was not good. So this time around, the hardest part was mental... I was so scared if a repeat experience, even though their circumstances were completely different this time. That made relaxing through contractions very difficult for me.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I saw a pelvic flood therapist the entire second half of my pregnancy to make sure everything was properly aligned this time and babies wouldn't be hindered from turning and descending properly (like my first was). I saw a chiropractor every other week the last trimester. I drank 1c pregnancy tea every day to prepare my uterus. And what made a big difference I think is taking gentle birth tincture the last 3 weeks.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was!!! My first labor lasted 47 hours with 2.5 hours of pushing. This time it was 4 hours start to finish... With twins! Only paired through 2 contractions with the first baby and 1 with the second (who was posterior but easier to push out). And it was far less painful than my first birth experience.
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Skip the hospital and get a really good midwife! My midwife made all the difference this time. I felt so much safer, heard, and cared for than I did with the CNMs
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I didn't really have time to try many strategies other than changing positions in the 10 second breaks between contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Side lying on my husband's lap
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Like a huge accomplishment. And then I realized I had to push another one out still... ?
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Skip the hospital and get a really good midwife! My midwife made all the difference this time. I felt so much safer, heard, and cared for than I did with the CNMs I had the first time around. She empowered me and supported me from the first time I met her.
