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When did you realize you were really in labor?
1 day after my due date, my OB instructed me to go walking for the entire morning. After a 2 hour walk around the local mall, I went to the hospital. While waiting in triage I continued to walk the hallways of labor and delivery. Finally around 4:30 pm I was admitted after being dialated to a 4 and having regular contractions.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was getting past the pain of transition.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did was keeping a semi active lifestyle during pregnancy and having a fantastic support system available during labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The fact that it did not go as completely planned suprised me. Wanting to go completely natural did not work for me as my contractions never stayed completely consistent and I did not dialate past a 4 on my own.
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Remember that anything can change and the end result of holding a healthy baby is all that matters.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Walking during early labor helped me most. During transition, breathing and relaxation helped the most.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Semi reclining. Once she was ready to come I couldn't get into any other position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was exhausted as she wasn't born until 7:57 am the morning after I was admitted, so it was calming to know I was done. Holding her made me feel complete and calm.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Remember that anything can change and the end result of holding a healthy baby is all that matters.
