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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at 3:30 am when my water broke... like gushing water everywhere, not a little leak. I assumed with that much water, baby wasn't far behind! :-)
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing for me was to mentally wrap my mind around the fact that I can do it naturally and that my body was meant for natural birth. My first two children were induced and I had an epidural, all at a hospital. This time I was going natural at a birth center, which meant no option for induction or an epidural. Not that I wanted either of those things, but I think I was used to those options so it scared me to take those options out of my mindset.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I suffer from severe anxiety in general, but when I'm pregnant the hormones intensify my anxiety. I knew, for me, there was no way I could do a natural birth without anxiety without trusting God. I prayed my entire pregnancy that I would have His strength and courage. He answered that prayer as everyone at the birth said I looked calm during the entire labor and delivery. Just as important for me was a doula. My best friend just happens to be my doula and I listened to everything she told me. If she told me to relax my face, I did. If she told me to take a sip of water, I did. I knew she knew what she was doing and saying (she has 5 home births under her belt) and I didn't have experience in that area so I needed her guidance.
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What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me most was the whole process... that I actually did it naturally, WITHOUT anxiety! It's such an empowering feeling!
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If it's your first time going natural and your scared, I know how you feel and trust me, YOU CAN DO IT!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I was in the tub for most of my labor and it felt so good, especially when my midwife would add more warm water as the water cooled. During transition I also started to vomit. As crazy as it might sound, it felt good to vomit, and I normally hate vomiting. It seemed to take the pain away. Or maybe my body just shifted from focusing on the pain to focusing on vomiting. I'm not sure the reason why, but I somewhat welcomed the vomit.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
My daughter's shoulder was stuck so I started on all fours in the tub but she wouldn't come out. I switched to my butt with my legs up (still in the tub) and her head came out, but her body wouldn't come out. So I had to stand up to deliver her body. Thank you gravity!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
My poor sweet baby girl came out not breathing so I didn't get to hold her right away. When she was placed in my arms I sobbed like a baby. I don't think words can ever describe how I felt. Immediately in love, empowered, joyful, relieved, thankful. Just a few emotions I felt.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
If it's your first time going natural and your scared, I know how you feel and trust me, YOU CAN DO IT! We were made for this! Giving birth naturally can't even compare to giving birth with an epidural. The oxytocin in my body was so much more intense (in a great way!) with the natural birth. You got this mama!
