-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
2 hours into contractions I realized they weren't going to stop, still took me another hour before I was sure enough to call my midwife. My husband was more adamant than I was... I didn't want to have a false alarm, and he didn't want to have a baby in our kitchen.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Overcoming the fear/doubt that I wouldn't be able to do it the way I wanted. My first birth should have been natural but after 2 days of laboring at home my midwife decided I was failure to progress and I ended up having a hospital/medicated birth. The whole thing was a bad experience, I was terrified it would happen again despite my best efforts. Ultimately, you have to accept not being in control, that was the hardest part for me.
-
IMG_5828
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Honestly, prayer. I researched more this time around and did more squats and yoga and gained less weight but ultimately, I am a Christian and for me, giving my fears and insecurities over to God allowed me to be much more calm and positive going into it. I believe that made the biggest difference for me, knowing what was out of my control was in His.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was. My first labor was 49.5 hours, my second was 6 hours. 15 minutes before I delivered her my midwife said I was 4-6 centimeters and baby was negative station. When just a few minutes later I transitioned - I didn't think I was actually transitioning because I felt it was too soon, I couldn't possibly go from 4-6 cm to fully dilated that quickly. When I felt the urge to push I thought I just had to relieve myself because I was sure it was too soon. It wasn't until she crowned that I started telling the room at large "She's here! She's here!"
-
If that is what you want to do then don't let anyone talk you out of it or make you feel badly for it, this is YOUR experience not theirs, and it will be the most rewarding feeling when it is done.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and relaxing - trying to keep as much tension out of my body during a contraction as possible.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
Not planned, but because it happened so quickly I was walking to the tub when her head came out, I squatted for her body to come out. (I stood and leaned on my husband during transition and most contractions.)
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Indescribable
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
If that is what you want to do then don't let anyone talk you out of it or make you feel badly for it, this is YOUR experience not theirs, and it will be the most rewarding feeling when it is done.
