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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The morning, after I woke up, I asked my husband to go for a walk by a pond. There the slow surges began, and by that evening I was in active labor. We just stayed home, walked as much as we could, and kept the environment calm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The last part of labor, I just wanted to push and that caused some tearing. But that realization came much after I delivered. Also not telling people was challenging when you have a big family, as they were very curious, and I wanted to keep things private until after I delivered.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hypnobirthing, Gluten-free Vegetarian diet (kept the health up and inflammation low)
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I was 8 cm dilated, but I felt no strong sensation of pain, only a tightness. How far I progressed without pain was a surprise.
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Try hypnobirthing, have homeopathic remedies ready, keep the diet as low inflammatory as possible, and laugh alot. Accept that anything can happen, and that you trust your body and intuition over anything.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Hypnobirthing, Music, Homeopathy!!!!! Water birth certainly helped.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Squat. Was on my knees for most of the active labor, then in squat position I was able to deliver and catch my son.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
He stared right into my eyes, it felt so connected. I did not know the gender until my husband had to cut the cord.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Try hypnobirthing, have homeopathic remedies ready, keep the diet as low inflammatory as possible, and laugh alot. Accept that anything can happen, and that you trust your body and intuition over anything.
I wrote a letter for my son outlining the birth experience, and I think it may help other women see that birth can be an invited, calm experience.
https://www.naturopathmom.com/single-post/2017/08/17/A-Home-Birth-Story
