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When did you realize you were really in labor?
On the car ride to the birthing center to see if I was leaking fluid at 9am! I actually held on to the handle by the window to brace myself. And that wasn't even close to the real intensity of labor that followed!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Trusting that my body and breath would be able to naturally ease me thru the most intense moments.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Creating a safe and positive space in our bedroom where we intended to bring her into our arms. It was nice to walk in and see my positive mantras plastered all over the walls in the weeks prior to the big day.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The "birth song" that continuously came from my mouth. I didn't realize I could make such primal noises! But those low tones helped birthed our babe!
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Trust your body. It knows what to do.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I loved showering and letting the hot water hit my back even. I also innately swayed my hips and moaned deep low moans. It really helped to relax me. And of course being in the birth pool toward the end gave me great relief!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On all fours! Once she crowned I instinctively pulled up one leg and was in a weird half sitting half crouching position but that helped ease her out somehow.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I felt overcome with emotion. "Oh baby. Oh baby," was all I could say between sobs. I was enveloped in a bliss I've never known.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body. It knows what to do.
When people said I was "powerful." I would respond with this:
"I am not powerful; I am a woman. I'm no different than any other woman. I chose to recognize the ability of my body to do what it was made to do. But, then again, that is powerful. To trust our own strengths as women is powerful."
