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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After weeks of prodromal labor I woke up with the first strong contraction at around 11:30 pm. I was afraid it would just be another night of contractions that went nowhere so I didn't really think I was in labor until a few hours later my husband was woken up by my moans.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Being a doula before I ever gave birth. Even though my midwife and doulas were reassuring me it was, I couldn't believe this was normal. I couldn't get out of my 'doula brain' and let myself go into labor land. I kept thinking something was not normal because I had seen 'normal birth' so many times. I think if I could have let go and given in to my labor it would have been easier, at least emotionally.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I took Birthing From Within. I really enjoyed connecting to my emotions and fears prior to labor. I highly advise the class.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How short it was. It was only around 9.5-10 hours from the time I woke up to the time my daughter was born. And pushing only took 45 mins which is incredibly fast for a first time mother.
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We waited until birth to find out our baby's gender and getting to lift our baby's leg and find out after all those months that we had a little girl- it took my breathe away.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I really loved being in the water. I took several showers and I spent several hours in the birthing tub, although I didn't even up delivering in the water. I also found pounding the palm of my hand rhythmically against the wall during contractions was very helpful.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back with my hips turned to the side. I think my baby would have been born faster if I could have stopped thinking 'I can't give birth on my back- I need gravity!' But standing/squatting was just not as effective for me as pushing on my back and side.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible. We waited until birth to find out our baby's gender and getting to lift our baby's leg and find out after all those months that we had a little girl- it took my breathe away.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Read every book you can get your hands on. Take a good childbirth education class. Know your options. And hire a doula!
