Dania's Natural Birth After Induction

When did you realize you were really in labor?

When the nurse checked me and said I was 8 cm dilated. Jk.
I was 42 weeks and still no sign of baby wanting to come. After much consideration (and trying all types of different things to induce labor more naturally), I told my husband I thought it was time to get medically induced, and he agreed. We went into the hospital at about 11 am and had an NST done. Baby's heartbeat was great, but there was something inside me that said it was time. I no longer felt comfortable knowing the risks of continuing the pregnancy.
After much discussion with nurses and the ob, the nurse inserted the cervidil at about 8 pm. At 10 pm we had dinner and by 11 pm we were asleep and waiting for any signs of progress. I woke up around 5 am to use the restroom and contractions were still faint, more like cramps, and few and far between. At about 5.30 am I started feeling more of a pattern. I was back on the monitor for a short while thereafter and it confirmed the contractions were stronger than before, but still not all that close together. I was out of the bed and off the monitors around 6 am.
All of the sudden the contractions started coming much stronger and much closer. I thought labor was just starting, and with the discomfort in my bladder, I thought something was wrong. We called to the nurse and she put me back on the monitor and checked dilation. I was at 8 cm!
From that moment on I realized this was going to be a very quick labor.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing for me was getting induced and letting go so that things happened how they were meant to happen. My first was born at home. Unfortunately, she went into respiratory distress and that incident tainted my experience. This time we decided to try the hospital route, but still I wanted to go unmedicated.
When I decided to get induced, I was scared all my wishes were going to go out the window. I thought since I would no longer have my unmedicated birth, I would probably follow suit with all types of interventions, i.e., pitocin, epidural... It made me sick to my stomach.
The nurses kept telling me about these wonderful positive stories: women going into labor after only a few hours with the cervidil and not needing additional interventions. I was hopeful the cervidil would kick start labor, and I wouldn't need anything else. My OB was on board with this idea.

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

I have great anxiety around hospitals, and getting ready to labor naturally in a hospital caused me many sleepless hours and crying sessions (pregnancy hormones did not help).
My husband and I spoke to many people about my concerns: OBs, midwifes, doulas, my sister (acted as my doula for previous birth and has assisted many births). There was a point I realized I just had to let go and trust my baby, my body, and those who were to be my voice and assist with my labor.

What surprised you about your birth?

Two things surprised me most about this birthing experience.
The first is the length of time: less than 3 hours from the first few rhythmic contractions to having my baby boy in my arms. Despite being induced, I didn't need anything else for the rest of the labor. Even had I wanted pain medication, there would have been no time for it. The OB barely made it to the delivery (but I'm glad he did).
The second, and probably the most surprising in my mind, is that at all times I was coherent and an advocate for myself.
The labor experience with my first was exhausting. Two days before my first was born I had not slept much, and I went into labor with her at 2 am. After three days without much sleep and 16 hours of back labor, I had no voice. I don't remember many moments of that labor, except the constant exhaustion.
This time around, I remember every detail and voiced my opinions and concerns at all times. It was a revelation truly! I was rested and the contractions were quite manageable. My husband thought that I was still having Braxton Hicks until the nurse said I was 8 cm dilated (but, that's a whole different story. Lol).
Specifically, by the time I was 10 cm dilated, completely effaced, and the baby was at ab station -1, the charge nurse had me on my back pushing. I tried to comply, but it just felt off to me.
I remember her saying you're going to be here a while if you keep pushing like that. I replied that it felt counter intuitive to me. She insisted I needed to push how she was telling me. My husband intervened saying that if it was still going to be a while, what harm would it do if I changed positions like I wanted to?
So I got on all fours on the bed and swayed my hips from side to side between contractions. Shortly thereafter the OB arrived. When he checked me the baby was at 0 station, and shortly after at +1. I remember thinking: "HA! I was right." Lol.
Baby was born about 10 minutes later, at 8:28 am.

We called to the nurse and she put me back on the monitor and checked dilation. I was at 8 cm! From that moment on I realized this was going to be a very quick labor.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Counter pressure worked best to relieve pain during active labor, especially transition. My husband would either come behind me while I was standing or swaying on the ball and push inwards on my hips, or press down on my hip if I was lying down.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I was on my back to deliver. This is still the part of my labor that upsets me because it didn't feel like the best position. Truly, however, it wasn't more than 10 minutes.

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

What a rush! I had my gentle giant in my arms with a second-degree tear and hemorrhoids that will bother me for the rest of my life, and I couldn't have been happier. I got that first bonding moment I had yearned for so much with my first baby girl.

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

Make a plan or plans, and be flexible. Find a good support system, and make sure they know they are going to have to speak up for you. Let everyone that will assist at your birth know how you feel. If you have questions, ask them until they're answered with 2 or 3 opinions, or as many as you need.
Most of all, trust your body and your baby. They were created to do this. But, don't be shy to ask for an expert's opinion.