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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was around 11 AM on my due date, we were at the dollar general because I wanted cookies and my "cramps" which were actually contractions started feeling different than before.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The fear of not knowing what was about to happen, not knowing what to expect, and being afraid of not knowing how bad it would hurt or what birth would actually feel like, as this was my first pregnancy.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing for me, I think, was getting and staying out of my own head. It made my anxiety slow down a lot and made it less stressful.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was so surprised when we finally arrived at the hospital (we live about 45 minutes to an hour away from where I delivered) the nurse got me settled in and then went to check my cervix to see how much I was dilated as when I called to let them know we were on our way, I told them I was not sure if I was in labor or not since it didn't really hurt or anything. She checked me over (everyone thought I'd be getting sent home from not actually being ready to deliver the baby) and then she went and got my OB to "recheck" my cervix only a few moments later, turns out I was 8 cm dilated and we were all SO surprised since it was my first and I wasn't even aware that i was really in labor.
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It was the best moment in my life and so emotional. It was just one of those times that I knew I was going to be able to look back on and think to myself that it was at that exact moment in time that my life had changed, that it would never be the same. That is something I will always cherish.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through the contractions and talking to my husband to keep my mind off of everything else going on.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying in the hospital bed, on my back, knees bent, with my feet in stirrups.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There are no perfect words to describe it. I was completely overjoyed. It was the best moment in my life and so emotional. It was just one of those times that I knew I was going to be able to look back on and think to myself that it was at that exact moment in time that my life had changed, that it would never be the same. That is something I will always cherish.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Keep a free mind, don't force anything on yourself or let anyone else force anything on you. Breathe. Breathe to keep calm and breathe through the contractions, I did and my birthing experience was basically pain free.
