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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Sunday night around 2 am I started having contractions. They got close to a minute long and 3 minutes apart but faded before 7 am, then started back up in the same way Monday and Tuesday night. Tuesday at 8am I finally called my midwife.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had planned a home birth, bought hundreds of dollars worth of supplies and paid out of pocket for my wonderful midwife. The most challenging thing was, after 3 hours of pushing, giving in and realizing baby was budging. I transferred to the hospital and ended up with a c-section. Baby had turned during labor to be sunny side up and fully extended his chin in the star gazer position.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Have everything for my home birth prepared, labeled and put in one large tote, so the midwife and her team didn't have to search for anything.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The three days off on and off intense labor that only happened at night, and despite having the easiest pregnancy of three, this birth was the hardest. I didn't even consider the possibility that I may end up with a c section, since my first two births were uncomplicated, and second birth I'd only pushed 15 minutes before he was out.
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Go for it! Don't let worries and fear of what could happen stop you. Despite everything seemingly going wrong this time, I would still opt to try for a home birth again, if I have more children. Being in my own home while in labor and feeling comfortable and not harassed was and will still be worth it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
During early labor I sat in my favorite chair with a fan blowing on me and all the lights off, just breathing and relaxing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
C-sectioned.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal. Heavy blood loss, spinal block and the shock of ending up sectioned made it all seem like I was watching someone else's birth story, rather than living my own.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Go for it! Don't let worries and fear of what could happen stop you. Despite everything seemingly going wrong this time, I would still opt to try for a home birth again, if I have more children. Being in my own home while in labor and feeling comfortable and not harassed was and will still be worth it.
