-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
11 days after my due date in the afternoon. I had dilated to 5 cm without any painful contractions. When the first real contraction hit, I was already on active labor.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The labor was super fast. 45 minutes from the first intense contraction to holding my baby in my arms. The hardest part for me was that most of that time, which was very intense, I was laboring alone. My husband was getting our 3 year old out the door to go to Grandma's and communicating with our birth team. Then he was trying to fill the birthing tub, which we didn't even have time to use. My midwife arrived less than 10 minutes before the baby was born. She called my husband into our bedroom to say the baby was coming! That list little bit of delivery when I had my husband and midwife with me were much easier.
-
IMG-20171201-WA0001
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Exercising (walking, pelvic floor exercises, and other gentle exercises) and working with my doula and midwife to plan a home birth.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
How fast the delivery was! For a week and a half leading up to that, I had light contractions arrived the clock that were not painful. They sure kept me guessing about when I would really go into labor.
-
Make sure you have the support you need. You can do this, but it will be so much better with lots of support!
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and low moaning during intense contractions. The time I labored with my husband by my side, his words of encouragement and prayers meant so much to me!
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
Lying down on my left side. I had laid down on the bed hoping to slow down the progress until my midwife arrived.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Like I had finished an amazing race and here was my sweet reward!
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Make sure you have the support you need. You can do this, but it will be so much better with lots of support!
