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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in "real labor" around 7am the day she was born.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Each time for me it's the mental worry about the pain, about how it's all going to go, etc.
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Ellie
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Even though this was home birth #5 for us, my husband and I did a childbirth class with this one. We hadn't done a class since the first baby. It helped us get on the same page and helped us mentally prepare for this baby.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How "easy" it was. I had anxiety about this baby (I went overdue with her when I generally go early) and just had very few signs of labor until the night before she was born. Her labor was so gentle (her bag stayed in tact until crowning which really helped with the intensity of the contractions), and I didn't have a long, hard transition. My 4th birth was long, hard, and intense, and I think I was mentally prepared for another birth like that one.
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You can do it! God made our bodies to birth babies, and I felt His presence with me this time so clearly.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The tub of water helped ease my back pain. My husband is like a doula, and he really helped me to relax through back rub mostly.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on all fours, and daddy caught her!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Magical!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! God made our bodies to birth babies, and I felt His presence with me this time so clearly. As I was getting ready to push her head out (this is the scariest part for me) I was talking to God. I asked for His help to be brave, and I know He was there with me. There is so much fear surrounding birth these days, and I completely understand the fear. I struggled with fear more this time around than I have before. Honestly, some of the social media horror stories had a negative impact on me. Maybe I should have stayed off of social media in the last weeks of pregnancy! Now, I'm on the other side of the amazing, peaceful birth of our first daughter (after 4 boys) and I'm just in awe. Do your research, eat right, find a supportive, wise birth team (should you need a more medical approach, a wise birth team can help you sort that out) trust God's design, and have a wonderful birth!
