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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It took me awhile because my contractions started out mild, but really close together and then started getting stronger but further apart. After the nurses told me I was progressing I knew I was in labor, but I figured it would take awhile - and it did.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had no choice, as I live in a small village in the Himalayas. The hospitals here have no pain meds. It was nice that I didn't have a choice in the matter and had no fall-back. I had to do it natural!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
In my case, the most helpful thing was to understand that I would not be in control of anything during the labor and delivery and to come to terms with that. We don't get many "choices" over here in the births of our babies - the father isn't even allowed in when the baby is born! I had to let go of my expectations and realize that the most important thing was to have a healthy baby and a healthy me at the end of it all - exactly how that would happen was secondary.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The morning Karsang was born my contractions, which had been continuous for 2 days, stopped completely. I was 4cm dilated and they started me on pitocin to help things along. Over here we have little technology to monitor the baby during labor. I was already overdue and had been in labor for two days so they wanted to get him out soon. He was born at 9:30 that morning!
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Although you want the best birth experience, once you're there, delivering your baby, let go and just go with the flow. Everything might not turn out just the way you had planned, but as long as you and your baby are safe and healthy at the end, you have had the best birth experience!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through the contractions. It's hard, and the opposite of what you want to do, but it really helps. Having someone there who could help coach me was really helpful since my mind was not exactly in a rational state.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying down. I kept on try to at least sit up, but the nurses kept on yelling at me and telling me to lay down. They don't allow any other position for delivery in the hospitals here.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relief! I was SO relieved that he was here and healthy. SO, SO happy!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Although you want the best birth experience, once you're there, delivering your baby, let go and just go with the flow. Everything might not turn out just the way you had planned, but as long as you and your baby are safe and healthy at the end, you have had the best birth experience!
