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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had had contractions 3 nights in a row which faded out the first two mornings, but they were strong enough to keep me awake most of the night and I packed my bag to go at 2 a.m. the second night. (I had had these kind of contractions with my previous baby and still waited a couple of weeks until she was born) After the third night contractions came on and off during the day. My husband decided to stay home at lunch time to help with the other kids. He took our son to a playdate and hit construction so he couldn't take our daughter to her dentist appointment. I took her and my dentist looked worried when he saw me. After the appointment we rested and called our friend to get our other children. I still wasn't totally sure I would have the baby until we called our midwife/doula, explained how things were and she said, "Get out of the tub and go to the hospital. I'll meet you there"
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Getting through the pain during the last few hours. It helped tremendously having my midwife/doula there. She's the best!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Ate healthily and walked everyday. Got a terrific, experienced midwife/doula for advice and help in labor. Educated myself (I was group B Strep positive, which I'd never been before and I wanted to avoid antibiotics and this was a 2nd VBAC for me).
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What surprised you about your birth?
How smoothly and beautifully it went; I was able to stay calm and breathe through contractions better than any other of my births. The doctor on call from my group followed my wishes and let me birth the way I wanted/followed almost all of my wishes on my birth plan.
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Find a great midwife or doula whose purpose and goal is similar to yours to give you advice along the way. It gave me so much confidence knowing the facts about natural pregnancy and birthing, knowing that it can be done--has been done (!) not just taking what my doctors said or recommended at face-value. My confidence in be able to give birth naturally went up so much during labor having my midwife/doula there because I knew she could give me advice as I worked through labor. It was such a comfort knowing I and my husband weren't the only ones rooting for this to be a natural birth.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through the most painful contractions, short breaths and then a long breath out. This is the first time I've tried that at the suggestion of my midwife/doula. Also getting into positions to help my baby turn around. She was posterior.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on my hands and knees, something I had never done before. It was a totally different experience than seated/lying on back. I tore only a tiny bit. I could feel what was happening inside of me more than in the seated/lying position. I knew when my baby's head was coming out and going back in. I could feel it in this position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing. Miraculous! I couldn't believe the labor was over already! Here she was, this long awaited gift I had worked so hard for.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Find a great midwife or doula whose purpose and goal is similar to yours to give you advice along the way. It gave me so much confidence knowing the facts about natural pregnancy and birthing, knowing that it can be done--has been done (!) not just taking what my doctors said or recommended at face-value. My confidence in be able to give birth naturally went up so much during labor having my midwife/doula there because I knew she could give me advice as I worked through labor. It was such a comfort knowing I and my husband weren't the only ones rooting for this to be a natural birth.
