-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor at 12:30 am during the largest snowfall in Cincinnati in a decade. All childcare plans went out the window because the roads were icy. So we waited about 2.5 hours and had a neighbor come stay with our 2-year-old so we could head to the birth center. My first delivery was very fast - 4 hours from the first contraction to baby. So with this one, we were very prepared to head to the birth center immediately. The waiting made us so anxious, as we expected another quick arrival. Luckily (or not?) it was a much longer delivery than our first!
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pain wasn’t the hardest part for me. The pain didn’t get bad until it was all moving so quickly and too late to intervene. The most challenging part for me was being out of control - not being able to speed up slowed contractions; the fact that my water just wouldn’t break; not knowing how long the delivery itself would last. I expected this delivery to be like my first - very fast. And the fact that it was so different left me feeling very humbled by the process.
-
2F5D02A9-F007-4780-A1D1-3E47F7BC688E
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
We took Bradley classes to prepare and they set us up beautifully for a natural delivery. The piece that came in the handiest was knowing how to utilize my husband as an effective coach. During this delivery he really leaned into the role - setting the mood just right to make sure I was at ease, rubbing my back during contractions, giving me the kind of pep talks I needed, etc. He was a great coach.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
My midwife continued to say that ‘every delivery is different - but I was skeptical and expected to have a very quick birth like my first. I was surprised and infuriated that this delivery took 13 hours. It was a completely different experience than what I’d had before, and therefore I wasn’t prepared at all to handle the length.
-
Educate yourself but also plan to give up control. Use the figurative toolkit you’ve built to aid in the process - know your pain management techniques, know the role of your coach, know your options so you can ask the right questions, etc. And then plan to let your body and the labor take over from there. It won’t go as planned but it’ll be magical either way.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Laboring in the water helped me maintain a calm environment. It didn’t ease the pain of my contractions necessarily but it did help with the pain of pushing. I was able to stay in control of my pain and breath in order to minimize tearing and overall impact to my body.
Prior to labor, my midwife told me that when the time came she didn’t want me pushing, but instead breathing, the baby out. I used very controlled breathing to stay centered and guide him out.
My husband knew that during each contraction he needed to put pressure on my lower back. We practiced during early labor so that when contractions got tough he was able to effectively support me.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was very humbling. I worked so hard for 9 months, and so hard for 13 hours, and it was so rewarding to give in and acknowledge it was all worth the effort.
-
What did you name your baby, and why?
We named him Beau Olvin. Olvin is a family name on my husband’s side, specifically his grandfathers' middle name. When he told his grandma she immediately teared up - it was an amazing moment!
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself but also plan to give up control. Use the figurative toolkit you’ve built to aid in the process - know your pain management techniques, know the role of your coach, know your options so you can ask the right questions, etc. And then plan to let your body and the labor take over from there. It won’t go as planned but it’ll be magical either way.
