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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I knew I was in labor early in the morning, maybe around 6:30. This was my eighth time giving birth so recognizing the real thing wasn't too difficult.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It was not difficult in the beginning because I bought into going natural in my late teens, before marrying, and my husband was raised by a "pioneer" in the alternative health care field. Staying natural has been more difficult because of finances, pressures from my older children to "indulge" regularly, and time demands.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My hips had bothered me most of the pregnancy and yoga was the only thing that gave me relief. My baby ended up being breech probably because my hips were out and she couldn't comfortably settle head down. I had her turned by a midwife but she flipped back around. After several chiropractic treatments I had the midwife turn her again and she stayed head down. So, those treatments were a true blessing to get thing prepared for a natural birth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My previous 4 births had followed the same pattern of having contractions every 20 minutes to 1/2 hour for hours and hours, and then when things really kicked in labor and delivery were very quick. This birth was more "normal" in that once the contractions began, they gradually became closer together. Labor and delivery took about eight hours total, and went smoothly over all. However, I really kind of missed the shorter, easier births.
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My baby ended up being breech probably because my hips were out and she couldn't comfortably settle head down.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Applying hot ginger rags on my belly and/or low back.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on my hands and knees.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Always amazing and a relief.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
As with any difficult endeavor, there are things that we sometimes need to "give up" to attain our goal. Going natural is really no different. It is important to remember all that can be gained in the process or the difficulties or sacrifices will seem too great. In the case of natural childbirth, there is much to be gained for both baby and mama, so it is really good to educate yourself and have a strategy to shoot for. But one thing that I always share is that there is no condemnation if things don't work out exactly as planned. Life often throws us curve balls, and we have to adjust accordingly.
