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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had my first contraction on the toilet! My water had broken while taking a walk around the neighborhood. After complaining about having to go directly to the hospital rather than working through my labor at home (I was Group B positive, so if my water broke, my doctor told me I had to go to the hospital immediately to be started on IV antibiotics), and waddling my way back home with VERY wet pants, I went to clean up. The first labor pain hit me hard.....and they didn't stop.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly, the most challenging thing about going natural was all the people that questioned my intentions to go naturally! The week before I was due, I had my mother, my sister and lots of my friends all question if I thought this was really the right thing to do. My answer to all of them was that I knew God would not give me any more than I could handle and I felt confident that I could do this.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most important and helpful thing I did was got to Bradley method child birth classes. By far, this one preparation gave me the knowledge, the understanding and the fortitude to know I could do this with my husband by my side. Understanding what was happening to my body as I was going through it didn't make it so scary and let me relax and focus on the task at hand. Relaxation was the most important aspect of my natural delivery. The pain wasn't so intense and I realized it really was going to be OK.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quick it was! I'm sure a lot of Moms are going to hate me for this comment, but I was one of the lucky ones that had my first baby within 4 hours of my first contraction. When my water broke, I complained that I needed to go straight to the hospital. I of course, dallied and was adamant that I needed to make up our bed with new sheets prior to leaving for the hospital. When I landed on my knees three times with contractions while making the bed, my husband decided he should probably time my contractions. I told him he shouldn't worry so much....it was going to be hours before something would happen. When he timed them, I was already in the "3-2-1" stage and my husband started running everything needed to the car. By the time he came to help me down the stairs and into the car, my contractions were so close together, I couldn't walk down the stairs on my own and my husband had to "fireman" carry me down to the car. Once at the hospital, we went into the receiving area, me in a wheelchair because I couldn't walk at this point. I was thinking check-in would be a breeze because I had pre-filled all of the paperwork before I got there. Ladies, if any hospital tells you to do this, don't bother. They make you answer every single question all over again when you get there. When they started asking me, I looked at them and said, "Are you KIDDING ME!?" I ALREADY DID THIS!" They informed me that it was standard procedure. After the fourth question, they could see that my contractions were happening very quickly (and so could all the visitors whom my husband tells me I cleared out with my groans) so they hustled me up to the triage for delivery. And of course, there was another desk with another person that thought I should answer the same questions AGAIN. "Seriously! Can you see that I'm going to have a baby RIGHT NOW"! She had a bit of sense and said the questions could be answered later and brought me to a gurney, where I could change and they could measure my progress. Surprise! I was already 7 Centimeters.....
After some scrambling, they finally got me settled and in a delivery room. Finally, low lighting, my husband by my side....and already at 9 centimeters. I was only in my birth room for 30 minutes. 4 pushes later, our little girl was born.
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By the time he came to help me down the stairs and into the car, my contractions were so close together I couldn't walk down the stairs on my own and my husband had to "fireman" carry me down to the car.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The best pain relief strategy for me was to focus on my husbands eyes and groan as I exhaled. That may sound silly, but it worked better than any massage, encouraging words or pressure points. The pain was intense and fast....no breaks for the entire time I was in labor, so having my husband to focus on as he gently reassured me to breathe was the most relaxing and relieving thing I could do.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Before I started to push, I asked them for a squatting bar. I pulled myself up to almost fully squatting which was immediately more comfortable than laying down.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
All I can say, is that it is the most incredible feeling; almost inexplicable. The only thing that comes close to the feeling is when you realize that GOD is real. This moment solidified that for me and I realized why I was on this earth.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Whatever you do, go with your gut. Only you know how strong you are and what you can handle. Do not let the nay-Sayers sway your goal. Keep your faith, be determined, and RELAX! Take some classes and learn what your body is going to do. Understanding is the key to controlling your fear of the unknown. Most of all, enjoy this time with your new family. Focus on what is really important: The love that surrounds you and your new baby.
