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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At about 2 AM in the morning I work up with contractions, but I really wasn't sure if it was actually labor until after 3 in the morning.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my second natural birth. My first birth with my son was awful. It was 22 hrs long, and just a lot harder than I expected it to be. When I was getting ready to have my daughter, I really wasn't sure what to expect. I think another challenge for me was learning what I needed to do personally to have a more enjoyable natural birth.
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2015-09-13-13-05-23
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
This time around I did a lot of different things. I did intense exercise 5 days a week throughout my pregnancy, gained a proper amount of weight (I had gained way too much with my son), drank red raspberry leaf tea, took better supplements, and lots of prayer. All of those things were helpful, but probably the most helpful thing I did my ready Ina May's book on natural childbirth. She had a chapter in there about the mind body connection. Reading that, I realized that my labor with my son was a lot harder with my son than it needed to be because of fear and being uncomfortable with my provider. That helped me to find a provider that worked best for me. For me, I needed an all female midwifery practice. I couldn't have a male provider for birth. Also I needed to deal with my fears regarding birth ahead of time.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quick my second birth was. We got to the hospital about 6 AM and had our little girl at 9:47 AM. I kept waiting for it to get "as bad" as it had been with my son, so when It was time to push I didn't believe it. It was completely different experience from my first birth, in a good way.
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Be honest with yourself ahead of time. If you aren't comfortable for a male provider it is okay. If there are aspects about birth that scare you, try to deal with them ahead of time.Put your fears in Gods hands, learn as much as you can about the process, and master pain coping mechanisms ahead of time. Fear can really hurt your birthing experience. The less afraid you are the more positive your experience will likely be.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Guided imagery, moving, and prayer.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Semi sitting
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was totally in LOVE!!!! I had felt the same with my son, but this time I wasn't exhausted from being in labor for 22 hrs. It was really an amazing experience.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be honest with yourself ahead of time. If you aren't comfortable for a male provider it is okay. If there are aspects about birth that scare you, try to deal with them ahead of time. I had been afraid of pushing with my son, so I stalled at 9 cm. Put your fears in Gods hands, learn as much as you can about the process, and master pain coping mechanisms ahead of time. Fear can really hurt your birthing experience. The less afraid you are the more positive your experience will likely be.
