Caroline Gives Birth on a Birthing Stool

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I realized I was in labor May 5th which was a Monday around 8:30pm. I told my husband I was having contractions. They did not hurt too bad and they were anywhere from about 20mins to 10mins apart. I called my mom and she said I better go get to bed. So I tried to do that but was too excited. This continued all night I fell asleep once or twice but not for very long. Then as time went on it progressed and got more painful,a good kind of pain, and my daughter Elaine was finally born Thursday May 8th at about 3:45am.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing about going natural for me was just the constant pain for 55hours. I really didn't get any sleep in that amount of time and I was working very hard. I remember wishing that if I could just sleep for a little while I would feel so much better. I guess though your birth is the way it is to prepare you for motherhood. And I just had to keep thinking there is a great prize at the end of this battle.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

The most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was build a relationship with my midwife. Having her there to guide me and having all my trust in her allowed me to know that no matter what I was going to deliver my child. She was more than just a person that was going to assist during my labor and delivery. She became part of my family and I know that it would have been much harder to do it without her.

What surprised you about your birth?

What surprised me most about my birth was how long it took. I had heard stories about long labors and I always thought there's no way that will happen to me but it did and I think even more surprising than that was the fact that I was able to do it!

The most challenging thing about going natural for me was just the constant pain for 55 hours.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I think the thing that helped most with relieving the pain was the fact that I was so tired. I was kind of in another world. Also just to keep thinking that it would be over soon and I would have a little baby!

What position did you end up delivering in?

I was on a birth stool when I finally delivered Elaine. I tried the tub and then laying in bed but she kept moving back in after every push. When I moved to the birth stool it helped keep her where she was after every push. Although I really did not enjoy that much because it killed my tail bone. She was pushing against it one way and the stool was the other way so that was very sore for a few days after having her. But it was what I had to do to get her out!

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

I was just in disbelief when I held Elaine for the first time. The fact that she was really mine and I didn't have to give her back to anyone. I couldn't believe that my husband and I created this precious little girl and that she grew inside me for 42weeks and now she is finally here. The love I had for my child that I had just met is something I didn't even know I could feel. When I first held her I knew I was never letting go!

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

My advice for going natural is to do your studies get all the information you can and then make an ideal plan in your head that works best for you and your body. You have to trust that your body was made to do this and together you and your baby will work to bring you together. Also find a midwife or doctor whatever you prefer that you can trust and that you know and they know you so when the day comes you are all on the same page. And make sure you have someone there to support you I could not have done it without my husband and my mother by my side!