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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Around midnight, I was trying to fall asleep and as I kept waking up to these cramps. AHA! This is it! I was so excited that I didn't want it to stop so I got on my feet and cleaned the apartment. At 3am the contractions were still easy and 12 minutes apart so I decided to get some rest since I was probably going to need it.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Since this was my first baby, I didn't know how much more painful, or intense, it was going to get. There was a point when it was incredibly difficult and I could have become very frightened. At one point I thought, "I don't know if I can handle this if it gets much worse!" Then a moment of clarity came to me and I knew that as long as I didn't let fear take over, I could do this.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I filled my mind with positive birth stories. I watched lots of videos of peaceful, happy, natural births. I wanted in my mind only positive things related to birth. Then I wrote out all my positive birth affirmations and meditated on them every day.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised that despite the 6.5 hours of active labor it didn't seem long at all. I was also surprised at how much energy I was filled with after birth. I had been awake for 24 hours and I didn't even need rest. I just needed lots of baby cuddles.
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At one point I thought, "I don't know if I can handle this if it gets much worse!" Then a moment of clarity came to me and I knew that as long as I didn't let fear take over, I could do this.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being in the shower helped a lot. Then towards the end when I had back labor, being on my hands and knees was the most comfortable.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On a birthing stool.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the most wonderful, exciting moment of my life. I kept saying to her, "I'm so glad you're finally here."
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Stay away from all advice and conversation that doesn't align with your wishes and desires. Become very confident in what you want your birth to be like and then find a care provider who will support you through this. Then watch videos, read books, and get together with other positive women who will encourage you. You CAN do it!
