-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor when my contractions started coming within 3-5 minutes apart for at least an hour. I started feeling contractions earlier that day here and there, and they continued throughout the day. Through it all I just kept moving; cleaning up, taking walks, and making sure everything was ready for baby's arrival.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing for me was trying to keep control of myself during the active labor. Once we got in the birthing room, the contractions begin to come so fast and hard that it was hard for me to breathe through them and instead I was wailing/screaming/hollering ????. I went into the hospital around 9:45 pm, got checked in and all, went into triage where they confirmed I was actually in labor which I knew I was, got transferred to a birthing room, then the waves of contractions really started coming and intensifying, and baby Jaiyanna arrived at 1:45 am ???. This was my second natural delivery and it went by much faster. I was in labor about 10-12 the first time around. With some great advice from one of the nurses I was able to handle and breathe through those contractions since they progressed at a pretty steady rate.
-
photocollage_20171029104954978
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I really was not very active during this pregnancy as it wasn't all that pleasant. I mostly prepared myself through a lot of praying and reading a lot on natural birth. The most helpful thing I did was started taking walks after I hit the 40 week mark and I was still pregnant. I walked even more leading up to the few days before I gave birth as I had started feeling more changes. Also, constant movement once I started feeling contractions and not laying in the bed during the contractions. It was difficult for me to sit or lie down during the contractions and what I found to be helpful was walking and swaying to ease the pain. Theses were tips that I had read through various blogs and articles.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me about this birth was how fast it all happened! I went from a 10-12 hour labor my first time around to a 6-4 hour labor this time. It was really tough but I'm so glad and thankful unto God that he gave me strength to handle it and make it through that travailing time.
-
You can do it! Prepare through prayer spiritually as God has given us the natural ability to birth. Also prepare yourself mentally, be in contact with sites and blogs and educate yourself with tips on how to have a natural birth.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
The pain relief strategies that worked best for me were walking and swaying back and forth. I purposes in my mind that I didn't want to lie in the bed during labor this time and I believe it helped with my labor time.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering lying on my back in the bed. The most time I was in the bed during labor besides being checked for dilation. And despite all the hype about delivering in other positions, I read this was the best way to not tear. I barely had a tear. It was small enough that I didn't have to get stitches.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt like a huge relief and a great joy to hold my baby for the first time, after the not so pleasant pregnancy and being a week overdue.
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! I would advise others that want to go natural to prepare through prayer spiritually as God has given us the natural ability to birth. Also prepare yourself mentally, be in contact with sites and blogs and educate yourself with tips on how to have a natural birth.
