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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I told my husband to stay home from work because this was the "real" thing when I was having to try hard to focus on anything else but the contraction. They were only coming about every five minutes but they were definitely different than all the other pains I had been having.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not going natural was never really an option in my mind, so I don't know what it's like to do much else... Probably the biggest challenge was dealing with the scoffs from people when I would tell them I wanted to go natural. I always felt like I needed to explain myself, when in reality, my birthing choices are just that... Mine.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Kept a positive attitude. You aren't sick when you give birth, it isn't a strange phenomenon.. It's normal and natural. My body knew what to do already.. It was my thinking that I needed to work on most. Along with a lot of positive thinking, I ate a healthy diet and exercised (chased around my two year old all day every day ;)
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was. Two and a half hours from the time I told my husband not to go into work till she made her entrance.
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Kept a positive attitude. You aren't sick when you give birth, it isn't a strange phenomenon.. It's normal and natural. My body knew what to do already.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Managing my breath and birthing on the exercise ball. My midwife and husband were awesome at helping me remember to breathe, give my breath to my baby and stay in control.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my side. It was awesome.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There are no words. It was so overwhelming in all the good ways.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Stay positive and do as much research as you can. Read positive, natural birth stories, seek out women who have birthed naturally, read about pain management strategies, take a birthing class. Also, if going to the hospital, use a midwife and choose a natural minded hospital.
