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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I went for a 2 mile walk in the afternoon. During the walk, I had to stop and stand still during these contractions. They were consistently about 5-8 minutes apart and felt different than the Braxton Hicks. I knew when I couldn’t walk through the contractions they were real.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Fear of this type of pain. I had no idea what it was going to actually feel like and had never experienced anything like it before. I had the ring of fire and was nervous to keep pushing because I didn’t know if it would continue to just get worse. (The burning actually went away after a minute or two.)
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Listen to other mama’s stories about their birth and learn about the labor and delivery process. I told my husband if I am asking for pain medicine or an epidural and am only 4-5 cm I will probably need it. But if I’m asking at 8-9 cm don’t let me. I know I’m already in the transition and I can do this! I was actually 8-9 cm when I arrived at the hospital.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised by how fast it went. I was very lucky to have had such quick active labor. I was hesitant about going to the hospital at first. My contractions were 4 minutes apart but I could still talk through most of them. I thought for sure they would send me home. It was a 20-minute drive to the hospital and the contractions were intensifying. I was shocked that I was already 8-9 cm when we arrived. The baby was born less than 45 minutes after we arrived at the hospital.
I was also surprised by the intensity of the pain when The baby was crowning. It was such a relief to start pushing. I was distracted by pushing so I no longer felt the intensity of the contractions. I had the ring of fire but only for a short time. The pain of the baby’s head and shoulders coming out was so intense but so fast. I thought it would be an instant relief after the baby was born but I was still pretty uncomfortable until I birthed the placenta. Then it was instant relief.
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The natural childbirth class was the only reason I was confident enough to give birth without medications. I learned what to expect with each stage of the labor and delivery process. I learned ways to distract myself from the pain. I knew when I arrived at the hospital and was already in the transition stage I could do this!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I really concentrated on breathing through the contractions. I took one contraction at a time and did not think ahead. I knew each contraction would only last a minute or two and I could get through it. It was a relief to start pushing because I could actually do something. That distracted me from even feeling the contractions at that point.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was in a lot of pain from third degree tearing so that part was actually a blur. It was such a relief but I was facing the fear of the upcoming surgery to be stitched up. After the surgery was over and I could concentrate solely on our baby, it was an unbelievable feeling. It’s an unconditional love like you’ve never felt before. I wanted to just look at him and study all of his features.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Peyton Zane
My sister came up with the name Peyton. There are so many names that I associated with a person I knew but Peyton was one that was original in my eyes. I wanted him to have a strong name. I’m not a huge fan of nicknames so I wanted to name him what he would be called.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The natural childbirth class was the only reason I was confident enough to give birth without medications. I learned what to expect with each stage of the labor and delivery process. I learned ways to distract myself from the pain. I knew when I arrived at the hospital and was already in the transition stage I could do this!
