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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor when I could feel my contractions in my lower back. This was completely different from my braxton hicks, as it felt more similar to the last time I was actually in labor, and laying down and relaxing was not helping soothe the pain.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I was at the point of asking for an epidural. My husband had convinced me to let them put an IV in, just for the "in case" moment. With my first pregnancy, I had to be induced due to my labor not progressing in a timely matter, and an epidural was essential (for me) to that particular pregnancy (my whole body shook so bad during the induced contractions that I almost fell off the bed and birthing ball). Having the experience that I had previously, I was waiting for the that shaking to come back to choose non-natural. The absolute most challenging part about going natural this time around was not knowing if the contractions were going to be as intense as they were with the last.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing that I did to prepare for childbirth was practicing relaxation techniques and mantras. Breathing and visualization were the keys to my natural childbirth (and also the keys to my induced childbirth with my first). Being able to focus on relaxing and calming my muscles made laboring more controlled and made me more confident in my choice to go natural.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My second birthing experience was exponentially better than my first. I was extremely surprised that it essentially felt the same as it had with an epidural, all my senses were just more intensified, and my body was more in control of what to do and when to do it with the natural route.
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The same advice that my midwife gave me, wait until you would think that you *would* want an epidural before coming into the hospital. She said that the chances of natural birth get lower the longer that you are stuck inside the hospital. This is because you have more time to consider getting one, and all the staff will ask you multiple times if you would like to opt for one.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Getting into a warm bath helped relieve my back labor.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on all fours. As I walked from the bathroom in my delivery room (where my water broke), to the bed, climbing up was a challenge, and this was the absolute most natural and only position my body would let me be in. I believe that it helped with my pushing, as my pelvis was turned, so the baby had less space to travel from where it was positioned to her coming out.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It took my breath away, and the experience was so much better that I got to grab her myself, and that my body let me do such an amazing thing without any help.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
The same advice that my midwife gave me, wait until you would think that you *would* want an epidural before coming into the hospital. She said that the chances of natural birth get lower the longer that you are stuck inside the hospital. This is because you have more time to consider getting one, and all the staff will ask you multiple times if you would like to opt for one.