-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was July 4th and I was watching fireworks from a window trying to get my 3 year-old asleep. My pressure waves were picking up speed, and I started feeling a more peace that my daughter's birthing time was coming.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The time leading up to my birthing time. I had anxiety about trusting my body. I did affirmations daily to counteract the anxiety, and worked on understanding that my body knew how to grow a baby, and it also knew how to birth a baby. The natural birthing wasn't challenging once I relaxed, and worked with my body, not against it.
-
IMG_1392
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did an at-home birthing study, called Hypnobabies. There was so much value in the program preparing myself for the unmedicated birth. My husband and I also hired a hypnodoula.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
How quickly my birthing time progressed. My goal was to show up at the hospital by the time I was dilated to a 7. When I showed up, I was completely dilated with a full bag of waters. I kept expecting the intensity of my pressure waves to get worse, but I was already to the point of pushing.
-
Euphoria! Hormones are a wonderful thing!! I was overjoyed, and emotional that she was here and healthy. I was also so happy I was able to overcome fears and anxiety, and trust myself in the birthing process.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Hypnobabies and a great support system (doula and birth partner).
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
Our daughter ended up moving so quickly down the birth canal that the doctor could not get a good read on her heart rate, and baby became in distress. To slow her down, and help her recover, I had to push baby out on my back. It was not my desired position, but it only lasted a few moments before I was able to reach down and catch our daughter.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Euphoria! Hormones are a wonderful thing!! I was overjoyed, and emotional that she was here and healthy. I was also so happy I was able to overcome fears and anxiety, and trust myself in the birthing process.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare with a class or method that helps you understand how are bodies are made to give birth. The more educated I was, the more confident I became in my ability to have an unmedicated birth. Remember that your body knows how to create a baby, and it also knows how to birth a baby. Nurses and doctors are "lifeguards" who observe, and intervene when necessary for baby and mama. And the best thing I can say, is know nothing is 100% concrete when it comes to planning your perfect birth. Situations change, and it is important to remain flexible.
