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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had a little bit of fluid leak and within an hour I started feeling crampy. About an hour later contractions started. This labor happened very quickly compared to my first one. From my first contraction to his delivery was about 12 hours.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The worst pain for me was right before I started pushing. I thought there was no way I could handle any more. It seemed that once I started pushing though that the pain lessened. Even "the ring of fire" I had heard everyone talk about was a minimal amount of pain compared to all the pain up to that point.
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Ji
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hired a doula!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised about how quickly it happened.
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I was surprised about how quickly it happened.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I think the hot shower I took helped more than any other position or strategy.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I started out pushing in a squatting position on the floor. My team moved me onto the bed but in the same position. I pushed that way for a while but they were unable to get a good read of the baby's heartbeat in that position so the asked me to lay on my side and that was the position I wound up delivering in.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was a blur honestly. After the intensity of labor coming to an end I felt exhausted and sort of out of it. I somewhat don't even remember those first few moments holding him. I actually have stronger memories of holding my first child (born with an epidural). I felt more present in that moment probably because I hadn't just endured a massive amount of pain. I know that's not really going to be a popular answer in a natural group like this but that was my experience.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Make sure you prepare in some way- classes, a doula, etc. I had done nothing to prepare myself for labor with my first and I wound up with an epidural even though I had wanted a natural birth. This time we took classes and had a doula. Also, try to go to a birth center over a hospital if possible. The staff is much more supportive of a natural birth in a birth center.
