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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was 4 weeks 2 days past due, so around 11am I was given a membrane sweep and a gel insert to kick start labor. Around 12pm I started having period like cramps that were coming every 10 minutes or so. I had always heard that labor was 100 times worse than period pains, so I was expecting "true labor" to feel worse. Around 3pm I hit transition but thought THAT was true labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Being confused about what stage of labor I was actually in. Once I hit transition I was scared it would be like that for the next 12 hours or so. I didn't think I was strong enough to cope. I learned in hindsight that transition doesn't typically last very long and it's MUCH easier to cope once you start pushing.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
As an American expatriate living in Scotland, I was initially horrified to learn that epidurals weren't the norm. It forced me to research everything about natural birth, and I am now so thankful I did. The first thing I saw was The MamaNatural channel, I then watched The Business of Being Born. The research and knowledge that I was in a country that emphasized midwife led natural births gave me overwhelming comfort. Not only that but health care here is completely utterly free!! I went from horrified to ecstatic! ?
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What surprised you about your birth?
My labor and delivery only lasted 7 hours. It wasn't 100 times more painful than my worst period, it was actually pretty close to very bad cramps (I learned I actually had bad periods which was a blessing in disguise as it made childbirth easier). I was surprised to learn why labor is such a fantastic word for giving birth. It's more physical exertion than pain. I was also shocked that I actually did it! Me! Unmedicated! If I can do THAT well heck, not much else I can't do! The only thing that initially hindered my beliefs were false fears of what to expect.
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I was also shocked that I actually did it! Me! Unmedicated! If I can do THAT well heck, not much else I can't do! The only thing that initially hindered my beliefs were false fears of what to expect.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Really concentrating on breathing and staying in the moment. Anytime I thought about what to expect in the next 5 minutes I'd start to panic a little. So staying in the actual moment helped enormously.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying down on my side! I don't know why but I felt more comfortable and able to stay in the zone by laying down.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Stunning.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
It's not necessarily going to be as hard as you think. It could be, but more likely it won't. Keep finding positive stories, learn breathing techniques and really study up on the different stages of labor so you'll be able to self talk your way through transition, Which in my opinion transition is the most challenging of all the stages. The blessing is, it's also (usually) the quickest stage.
