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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor after my mid-wife broke my water to help start my labor naturally. Turned out that I had a high tear of my amniotic sac that broke 24 hours prior, and since my labor hadn't started, doctors were going to try to give misoprostol to start labor and I didn't want that. The midwife knew I wanted a natural birth so she checked to ensure my water had truly broke before going the doctor's route. It hadn't broke, and she did it for me, and labor started within 10 minutes!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This time around (my first child was natural too) the most challenging thing was I didn't go through early labor, and went straight to active labor. I had in my mind I would get more time between contractions to rest and prepare for the next one, but I went straight to active labor and had fewer rest periods. My first birthing experience had given me some expectations with the second experience, but things do not always happen the way you think or plan.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did a lot of breathing and relaxation techniques in the months and weeks prior to the actual birth. This really helped to keep me calm and relaxed and to not tense up too much during contractions.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The biggest surprise was my child was out in 5 pushes (10 minutes of pushing). My first child took an hour and ten minutes of pushing, so I was pleasantly surprised that my second came out so much quicker and easier!
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When it starts to get really hard and you think you can't do it anymore, your truly so close to the end.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Relaxation and breathing techniques!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Delivered on my back in the hospital bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
The best feeling in the world! You have given your child the first gift you could ever give - a natural birth. Having your baby be alert and ready to nurse as soon as they arrive is a wonderful experience. It's the first of many bonding moments!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be prepared! Do your research and truly invest in this experience! The best advice someone gave me was: when it starts to get really hard and you think you can't do it anymore, your truly so close to the end. This is so true. When I got to this point in my last delivery, my baby came just 10 minutes later!
