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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My husband and I had been at the farmers market selling our products. Afterwards we went out to eat with my sister and her kids. When we were finished eating I felt the first contraction. Within 10 mins I started timing them, 5-1-1 which is when my doctor told me to head to the hospital since we lived one hour away. I text my doula details of the contractions. She immediately said she was going to head to our house. At that moment is when I realized it was the real deal. We were driving the 30 minutes home, when I read that text I started crying. I looked at my husband and could see the fear in his eyes too. Little did we know how little time we really had.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
We live in a state where midwives are illegal. Natural childbirth isn't talked about, women just don't do it here. When I decided to go all natural I didn't tell anyone. My husband and I kept it a secret the whole pregnancy from everyone. It was very difficult hiding but I didn't want negative comments from others. The labor itself, granted it wasn't how I planned wasn't difficult. The pain is temporary.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
We had met with my doula several times and took a natural childbirth class with her. We both read natural childbirth books, we felt prepared. I believe God had a hand in me wanting a natural childbirth to get me prepared for labor. Each step of labor I knew what was coming. Without the knowledge of knowing what was next I wouldn't have been able to birth my daughter in the backseat of my car. Knowing that each contraction brought me closer to meeting her helped me get through them. We had also prayed during the pregnancy that I would have a safe labor and delivery and to keep our daughter safe.
I had also gone to the chiropractor throughout pregnancy, the occasional yoga and Crossfit 2 times a week.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Since this was my first birth I had planned to labor at home for several hours. We had been home for about an hour and a half, my husband had loaded the car and cleaned the house, I had taken a shower so that I felt "clean" giving birth (boy was that dumb in hindsight). Around 2 hours and 15 mins after the first contraction my doula said it may be time to head the to hospital. My husband asked if I wanted to labor longer at home but I agreed, it was time to go. He called the hospital to give them a heads up we were coming and asked for them to fill the tub. We were in the car within 10 minutes. The second we pulled out of the driveway contractions got worse. I knew labor was coming fast. The hospital was an hour away, we were cutting it close. Five minutes into the drive I told my husband "she's coming". He read birth affirmations to me, they helped tremendously. I was in the backseat floorboard, when I would ask how much further my husband would say not much longer. At this point I new this baby was coming soon. I tried desperately to hold her in. Once we passed a shopping center I was familiar with I knew we were still 20 minutes from the hospital. It was that moment I let go and let my body take control. Within 5 minutes our daughter came busting out while my husband drove 100mph. When I yelled "she's here" he pulled over on the interstate.
We were both surprised at how incredibly fast my labor was especially since it was my first baby. It lasted 3 hours and 15 mins.
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It's what our bodies are made for. Women all over the world will be birthing with you, remember that, you're in it together.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Moaning, long deep moans.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my knees in the backseat of my car.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
To be honest, the shock of my labor was hard for me. Our daughter had instant connection with my husband. For me, it took a couple of days. Each time she nursed I felt our bond grow deeper. Within three days my husband mentioned he could tell our daughter and I had bonded. By the time we left the hospital she had turned into a mamas girl.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
It's what our bodies are made for. Women all over the world will be birthing with you, remember that, you're in it together.
