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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was asleep and at about 1 am I woke up with what felt like a balloon popping. I thought "Oh my gosh! My water just broke." I waddled to the bathroom and sure enough, it had!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Unfortunately, I did not get to have a natural birth. The hospital where I delivered does not have an in house anethesiologist, but they are on call instead. My doctor requested I have an epidural when I arrived so that it would be in place in case of an emergency. I complied because the most important thing to me was mine and my baby's safety. The most challenging thing before the epidural was probably dealing with all the questions and paperwork at the hospital while having contractions. I just really wanted to focus on my breathing and relaxing, but the hospital staff made that very difficult.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Watch lots of videos and read lots of articles. I knew I was going to have to have an epidural as discussed above, and I feared this would prevent me from having a successful VBAC. I did lots of research and learned about the peanut ball and how it can help labor with an epidural. I purchased one. While laboring I breifly stalled at 6 cm, so I got out the peanut ball. Soon after I was completely dilated. I feel that the peanut ball saved my labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I had a hard time getting my breath right while pushing, but I finally got the hang of it. I was surprised how short my time pushing was (I thought I had pushed for about an hour, but my husband said it was not more than 20 minutes.) I was also surprised at how great I felt afterwards. The next day, my muscles were a little sore from pushing, but it was amazing how great I felt compared to my first birth which was a cesarean.
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I also felt accomplished to have achieved a VBAC. I had many doubts. She looked just like her big sister. I felt like I was having deja vu.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Just breathing and focusing on releasing tension in all my muscles.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Back
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Received. I also felt accomplished to have achieved a VBAC. I had many doubts. She looked just like her big sister. I felt like I was having deja vu.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be educated. Read as many articles and watch as many videos and possible. I wish I had been more educated about my options with my first birth because then it would not have ended in a cesarean. I let the doctors induce me and the cascade of interventions began. Trust your body to do what it was made for!