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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Midnight, 28 hours before I gave birth, I started having regular but mild contractions. They very gradually became stronger and closer together, putting me in active labor for about 8 hours before baby was born.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Well...the pain. The sensations of contractions truly floored me and pushed me to - and past - my limit. I went from vehemently swearing off any and all pain meds, to desperately begging for them (even though I was well past the point of no return). After the fact, my birth time reassured me that just about every woman in transition will ask for pain meds, and they take this as a good sign - a sign that I am almost there. I was just about at the end of my rope when I was forced to face the terrifying yet beautiful reality of what was happening to my body as I approached the final lap in the race before meeting my baby.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Listening to other women's natural birth stories. From the woman with 4 natural home water births, to the first time mom with an unplanned c-section. Hearing and remembering the diverse experiences of strong, natural minded mamas helped me get through some of the toughest moments of my labor. I remember saying to myself, "women were created to be able to do this. Women do this every day. I can do this."
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What surprised you about your birth?
The fact that I had planned a home birth but ended up having to transfer to the hospital less than an hour before baby was born. I did almost my entire labor at home with my amazing midwives and doula, but things started to look scary for baby after laboring for over 24 hours. His heart rate was dipping dangerously low while I pushed, causing my midwife to make the last minute decision to take us to the hospital (which is thankfully just a few minutes away from our home) in the case that baby needed more support than my birth team could offer. After pushing for 45 minutes at the hospital, I had come to complete and utter exhaustion and baby's heart rate was still not looking good. My doula insisted they try using the vacuum to help with my very last push. The doctor surprisingly obliged. Thanks be to God, my little Tommy was born just moments before I would've been wheeled away into the O.R. for a cesarean. I think having my whole birth team and hubby surrounding me in those crucial moments created the necessary environment in that room to keep me on track with my all natural delivery. Nothing about his actual birth was what I had planned. My prolonged labor coupled with an unexpected transfer has done sort of a number on me mentally since it happened, but leaving for the hospital was a concession I had no choice but to make to ensure the safety of my baby. This experience taught me that while it's always important to have plans and goals (for your birth or life in general) you have to be able to roll with the punches and remember your strength no matter what situation you find yourself in. Wow that was long winded! I guess I had to vent! :)
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Hearing and remembering the diverse experiences of strong, natural minded mamas helped me get through some of the toughest moments of my labor. I remember saying to myself, "women were created to be able to do this. Women do this every day. I can do this."
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The tub, and having someone pushing on my lower back or hips through my contractions. A warm compress was also very comforting in the earlier stage of labor.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
In the hospital bed. I did however refuse to put my legs in the stirrups. I knew that wasn't going to do it. I went with sort of a laying on my side with one leg up in the air position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Euphoric. Surreal. As if nothing else mattered in the world, forever. It's just incredible. You're depleted from working the hardest you've ever had to work in your life, and God in his mercy supplies you with this wonderment and the most joy you've ever felt as you reap the most precious, sublime reward you have ever received. It is the miracle of childbirth and it is amazing. Sacred.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
Getting to hear/see other mamas birth stories was so beneficial to me. I also feel my body was in good shape from the nutrition tips and various exercises that were talked about with each lesson. My husband also really appreciated that the birth class included the men's points of view. He never felt left out as we went through the course.
