-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was really in labor after having two hours of serious cramping and timing those "cramps!"
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going all natural was keeping my body relaxed during contractions, rather than tensing up and fighting against them... But doing so (relaxing) made my labor progress so much faster!
-
102DFCFB-BD42-4AD3-8B03-D5C0B876C0D1
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I read The Bradley Method book and actually practiced several movement, breathing, and relaxation techniques in preparation for labor and childbirth. I didn't end up doing a lot of the movement exercises that we had practiced, but I'm glad that we did practice many different ones because you never know what's actually going to work for you and your body until it's time!
-
What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went! Going in, I had heard over and over again that first time labors are typically around 12-14 hours or more... For me, from start to finish was only 9 hours, and only about 4.5 of those hours were hard labor and then 30 minutes of pushing.
-
I will have natural home births again and again with each child that I deliver... I wouldn't want it any other way!
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Deep, slow, meaningful breathing and relaxing my entire body through contractions. Towards the very end of my labor, I needed to be up and moving--standing and rocking my hips from side to side--while moaning and continuing the deep, slow, and meaningful breathing.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
In a birth pool in a deep squat/leaning back.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was wonderful! Like nothing that I could ever truly put words to. But then suddenly everything became frantic because we experienced a rare cord avulsion. I had to hand her to my husband and midwife pretty quickly because of the emergent situation.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Without a doubt, if you and baby are healthy, do it! Do your research, find a good midwife team, and seriously practice for labor and delivery! (Without actually pushing, of course.) Despite the crazy and rare cord avulsion emergency, I will have home birth again and again with each child that I deliver... I wouldn't want it any other way!
