Not Focusing on Pain Helped Melissa During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I had huge cramps hours later from doing zumba. I wanted the baby out so bad so my kids wouldn't share the same birth day so my mom, my daughter and I were doing zumba one afternoon and by 10 pm I was cramping like crazy. I didn't remember that pain with my first child it was extreme.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Besides the extreme neck down so I thought that because this one was my second was going to be easier but NO!!! she wae pain was the fact that the baby was comis that painful that the epidural didn't work. And me being as week as I am couldn't push that hard that the nurse had to help me taking her out. Funny thing is that my husband told me that I wasn't even pushing that hard. Really? How did he know?

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

The most helpful thing was to focus on something else but the pain.

What surprised you about your birth?

When everything was done and my baby out she didn't cry. Just looked at me like WTH? and we started laughing.

Try your best to stick to the plan but have in mind that things can go wrong or changed. The most important thing is that your baby is safe and healthy.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

For me was walking.

What position did you end up delivering in?

Laying down

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

It felt amazing, and the fact that she starting latching right away was amazing!!!

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Try your best to stick to the plan but have in mind that things can go wrong or changed. The most important thing is that your baby is safe and healthy.