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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had bloody show on a Saturday morning...I started having mild contractions that day...and all the next day. At around 2 am that Sunday they started getting closer together and I could no longer sleep. I got into the bathtub at home and my husband tracked my contractions. We listened to uplifting music and contacted the birth center when the contractions were about 7-8 mins apart; being this is my 2nd child they had me come in. We got to the birth center at 4 am and I was in active labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Knowing that it would be challenging and feeling sacred of having no medical options to relieve pain.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Acupuncture, supplements, yoga, reading, eating well, chiropractic, herbal tea fusions daily, vistIng and getting to know my midwives at the birth center.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was expecting my birth was going to be quicker and easier than with my first child. My first birth was about 10 hours long and relatively smooth. With this birth it was about seven hours in duration but much more challenging has the baby turned posterior and it was excruciatingly more difficult.
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No matter what you choose birth will be unique. It was its own unique experience. I’d go natural again, I think I owe it to my kids to give them the best start in life AND I draw so much personal power from having birthed naturally. It gives me a very real example of just how strong and brave I am.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Nothing really worked to relief pain, I fluctuate between really believing that my body could handle going on and that I definitely needed pain medication. Having support of my birth team was crucial that I had my husband and three midwives working with me.
I was also in the birth tub for all of my labor except the very end. This is extremely helpful because of the posterior position I could not sit down on anything; birth ball or the bed without being in terrible pain. So water!! Yay.
My team also used music, essential oils, massage and homeopathic medicines.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up getting out of the tub (with lots of help!) and birthing her on a birth stool. I loved the birth stool and it was such a wonderful relief and blessing to see her and feel her wiggle out, it was amazing!! Well worth not having an epidural so I could have that awesome experience!!!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Just pure joy and gratefulness.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
No matter what you choose birth will be unique. And I have felt very guilty for not having a “serene and blissful birth”. I was trying but that just wasn’t happening. Sometimes I was terrified, angry, deeply sad, feeling funny and also thankful. I had this idea that my 2nd birth would be easier and that was a silly notion. It was its own unique experience. I’d go natural again, I think I owe it to my kids to give them the best start in life AND I draw so much personal power from having birthed naturally. It gives me a very real example of just how strong and brave I am.
