-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I had to really focus to get through a contraction.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The time and effort required to dig deep into the birthing world. Knowing your options, your rights and your personal preferences is essential to showing up prepared and relaxed. We as a culture are mostly in the dark about childbirth. We trust our doctors to do what's best for us - and of course, they do THEIR best to delivery your baby safely. But childbirth is not a medical event and YOU as a woman know yourself and your body best. Get in touch with your body and mind as a birthing woman. You can do this. Use the library, use the Internet, talk to friends - the information is out there for you to discover - then make a decision based on what you know in your heart will bring you the greatest peace and empowerment on your delivery day. Especially for hospital births, having a solid knowledge base and game plan and the ability to advocate for yourself (or have someone advocating on your behalf) truly changes everything.
Also, completely surrendering to the process (both in preparation and in delivery), and letting go of any fear, is easier said than done. But so totally possible!
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
In short, intense mental and physical preparation - dedicating focused, quality time to preparing my mind and body before the big day so that I walked into the hospital feeling completely prepared.
Specifically: Prayer, yoga, meditation, visualizations, a bit of hypnosis (Googled "natural childbirth hypnosis/visualizations/scripts), walking, stretching, SpinningBabies.com exercises, taking the Mama Natural Birth Course, doing online research on my own, reading studies to back up the benefits of natural childbirth, studying the Bradley Method.
I drank very strong red raspberry leaf tea religiously, and ate as many dates as I could six weeks prior to my due date. (My cervix was dilated to 3 cm without me even knowing it for 5 days prior to delivery - thanks, dates - and my uterus contracted so efficiently during and after delivery that no Pitocin was needed to help control postpartum bleeding - thanks, red raspberry leaf tea!)
My husband and I went through the learning process together. He ended up getting a crash course in childbirth and was able to show up as the most impressive birth coach I could have asked for. The nurses actually asked if he was a professional. I would definitely recommend getting a doula if your partner is easily grossed out or doesn't really want be "all up in there". But having my husband go through the preparation process with me and being by my side on delivery day brought me so much comfort and brought the two of us even closer together.
I also read positive birth stories and watched as many positive natural birthing videos as I could to help normalize the process in my mind. Watching real, happy stories play out in video was so touching and encouraging!
-
What surprised you about your birth?
How NOT TERRIBLE it was! Aside from actually being the most beautiful and happy day of your life because your child is here, the physical process is honestly so very manageable without pain medication. You CAN do it!!! Childbirth is a finite, natural process that women have been doing successfully for thousands of years. You were MADE to do this!!! And you will be so glad you did.
I was also preparing myself to have the hospital staff "push" pain medication on me or shame me for not choosing medical pain relief - and that was entirely not the case. Everyone on staff (although not accustomed to seeing medication-free births) were encouraging and positive when it came to my decisions.
One other thing that snuck up on me was how my positive experience during childbirth seemed to infuse a sense of positivity and empowerment in the early postpartum days. (And still.) Depression can creep up on even the most joyful of mamas, but having the most empowering event in your life behind you can help boost your confidence and to tackle the hurdles of motherhood. If you can do this, you can do anything!
-
There are no words. You don't realize something could possibly be so beautiful until you're holding your first child.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Walking slowly and methodically around the delivery room during and between contractions; getting on hands and knees (on the floor) and swaying during contractions; taking a few nice, hot showers while sitting on a stool; conditioning my mind to relax upon hearing the voice of my labor coach (my husband) and then listening to his voice read over hypnosis/visualization scripts; “progressive relaxation” hypnosis/meditation/visualizations (focusing on slowly relaxing one body part at a time from toes to head - feels better than a narcotic); visualizing the contractions as "waves" rather than using the word “pain” or “contractions” and imagining riding over and above the waves, slowly and smoothly; closing my eyes and breathing, and later on, low moaning and eventually deep, guttural groans. I never thought I'd be that vocal but it honestly helps!
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
The "Recline Chair" position a la Bradley Method - sort of squatting but leaning back with my knees held back my my arms.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There are no words. You don't realize something could possibly be so beautiful until you're holding your first child.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
See above. :)
YOU. GOT. THIS!!!!