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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had cramping for weeks, and the cramps always went away. The day I went into labor I felt the same. I thought nothing would come from the cramps. Things intensified around 10 pm or so. I couldn't talk through the cramps or sit still. That's when I thought we better call our midwife again, but I still wasn't sure. When she said I could get in the water I thought to myself "I hope the water doesn't make everything stop and go away", but I was already way past the point of water slowing things down.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing was the pain and trying to figure out what works and what doesn't.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was finding a supportive provider. I had a c-section at 34 weeks with my first, so it was even more important to have a supportive provider. I knew I didn't want to fight for a VBAC, and I knew I didn't want to be in a hospital if I didn't have to be. I hired a midwife and decided on a home birth. Everything that we did or didn't do was a choice we both made and discussed together. I also took the hypnobirthing class, stayed positive, made affirmations, ate dates starting at 36 weeks, and drank lots of red raspberry leaf tea my entire pregnancy.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised to make it to 41 weeks 1 day. My first was early so I thought I would go into labor early this time to. I pretty much thought my water broke every week starting 35 weeks. I actually started thinking I might not be able to have a home birth( if I went to 42 I'd have to go to the hospital). What also surprised me was how fast it happened, since I never labored with my first I was expecting a long labor. My total labor was about 7 hours, 2 hours active and 30 min pushing. His head also came out encaul which was surprising.
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It felt amazing. It didn't feel real. I had prepared for that moment for so long, it didn't feel real that everything was over with. I couldn't believe I did it. It felt relieving. I felt relieved the pain was over with, and that everything went smoothly and we were all safe and healthy. It felt healing.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Water helped the most. And counter pressure from my husband. He actually got in the pool with me so he could continue the counter pressure. But honestly towards the end, nothing was giving me relief.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my knees in the birth pool.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt amazing. It didn't feel real. I had prepared for that moment for so long, it didn't feel real that everything was over with. I couldn't believe I did it. It felt relieving. I felt relieved the pain was over with, and that everything went smoothly and we were all safe and healthy. It felt healing.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare yourself. Know your choices. Know that it's never to late to change providers. Let go of all fear. Trust yourself and the process of birth. Don't have to many expectations, it can be disappointing when things don't happen the way you imagined. I imagined a pain free birth experience and was disappointed when it wasn't. But I'm 3 weeks postpartum and already don't remember the pain. It was so worth it. Stay positive and don't listen to others negative birth stories.
