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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions started at 5 am on my due date. I went about my day as normally as possible, even going to a football kickoff dinner with my husband, Kevin, who is a coach. When the contractions became more frequent at the dinner, I left early to pack my hospital bag to pass the time while Kevin finished up there with the team. My friend, Christy, was my birth coach and she was at the dinner too, so she texted to check on me and came to my house afterwards. My contractions slowed down while I sat on the birthing ball, so Christy and I decided to go for a walk. When we got back, I tried to lay down to rest to save my energy for labor. Laying down sped up my contractions, and it was just too painful. I told Christy and Kevin that I thought it was time to go to the hospital. My mother-in-law stayed with my toddler, so I had peace knowing he was taken care of.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part was getting through the active labor contractions. My longest contraction lasted two minutes!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did was pray, read a lot of birth stories, and have my husband and friend there to encourage, pray, and rejoice with me that I actually had an unmedicated birth. My mind was set that I wanted an unmedicated birth, so I didn't want negativity in the way. I didn't tell many people my birth plan.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was most surprised that I actually did it...in two pushes! My husband said I was the strongest woman he knew right after I delivered. We connected on a different level during my labor and delivery. It was truly special.
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My advice would be to mentally prepare yourself that this is truly what you want and have a birth coach to encourage you and help your spouse by getting him involved as well. Don't listen to negativity. You were made for this!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I labored on the birthing ball at home and in the tub for about 45 minutes in the hospital. Christy reminded me to breathe (so important) through the contractions and gently massaged my hands and back. Kevin encouraged and massaged as well. Christy and a nurse massaged my hips as I was delivering too, which really helped.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
When I felt it was time to push, I was helped out of the tub (no water births at this hospital), walked to the bed and got on all fours. That's what felt natural to me. I pushed twice and he was here!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! I kept saying, "I can't believe I did it!" referring to an unmedicated delivery.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
My advice would be to mentally prepare yourself that this is truly what you want and have a birth coach to encourage you and help your spouse by getting him involved as well. Don't listen to negativity. You were made for this!
