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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was driving with my mom and my girls. I told my mom I thought I was having a contraction. She said something funny and we all started laughing. The harder I laughed that hard in my contraction became. After that they never quit.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My first two births were natural in the hospital. I decided to have a home birth with this one. The most difficult part was dealing with comments and reactions about birthing at home and not being induced when I passed my due date.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Prayer, worship music, meditating on scripture, and good books including those by Ina May Gaskin.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I had to push quite a bit longer with this one compared to my first 2. We would find out that this girl was 2 1/2 pounds bigger than my others and presented with her arm up by her face.
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Be surrounded only by those you trust and those that have your best interest in mind. And never lose sight of the end result....your precious baby.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Prayer through contractions, and holding on to my husband. Also I was having quite a lot of back pain and my midwife injected sterile water into several places on my lower back which helped a bunch.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting partially up on my back in the bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I can think of one word that best describes it...THANKFUL!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I think you just have to have your mind set on it. I just never thought of pain relief as an option I guess. Also, prepare yourself. Have birth affirmations or prayers ready to repeat. Also, be surrounded only by those you trust and those that have your best interest in mind. And never lose sight of the end result....your precious baby.
