-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was two days after thanksgiving and we were having a Friendsgiving gathering. I had been having lots of contractions on and off for days but that evening they started getting stronger and more consistent, which was hard as I was trying to stuff myself with delicious food. I didn't let on to any of my friends but once we got home and I put my two year old to bed and sat on the couch to relax I realized that this was the real thing.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The hardest part of this labor was pushing. I didn't have a very strong urge to push so the midwife had to put pressure on my perineum to help me push. As it turned out baby had her hand by her face which was what was making it hard for me to push her out.
-
image
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hiring a midwife! We actually planned for a hospital birth but made the decision during labor to stay home. I'm so glad that we did and that we had our midwife. I am an expat working as a doula/lactation consultant/missionary in the Dominican Republic, which has the highest c section rate in the world so hiring our (Canadian) midwife to accompany us to the hospital was a must.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
I was first surprised at how easy the labor was. My first labor was 31 hours and so hard. This one was about 10 hours and so much easier. Then I was surprised that we decided to stay at home instead of going to the hospital! It was what I wanted all along but my husband was unsure. In the moment however I progressed quickly and easily so I'm so glad that we had our midwife and I got the home birth that I had been dreaming of.
-
Learn what options are available to you and decide what is best for you. And definitely get a midwife. I truly believe that have lots of tricks up their sleeves to help with natural birth.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Double hip squeeze and pressing a heating pad to my lower back. I also spent most of early labor sitting on a birth ball.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
Squatting first and then laying on my side, due to the presentation of the baby.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing!! I started crying "we have another baby!" And my 2 year old daughter ran over saying "my baby! So cute! I love you!"
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Learn what options are available to you and decide what is best for you. And definitely get a midwife. I truly believe that have lots of tricks up their sleeves to help with natural birth.
