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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Mild contractions started around 2 p.m. (30 seconds long every 90 seconds) Considering I was 11 days past my due date and had experienced a few "false" alarms, I did not pay much attention to them. Around 9 p.m. while driving home from church, I began to contemplate that this could actually be the Big Day! I called my family around 10 p.m. and told them to prepare. I made it home, ate a late dinner, put my little one to bed and turned on the TV. As soon as I sat down, my water broke!! It was around 10:30 p.m. It was not until then, that I finally came to grips with the fact that I was going to meet my little one very soon!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
There were four contractions that were the most challenging thing for me during the entire process. I'd dilated to around 5 1/2 cm and wanted to get in the tub. My midwife wanted me to get to at least 6-7 cm before doing so. She instructed me to squat during the next two contraction. I did, and Oh boy!! They were very intense however, they did the trick, i'd made it to 71/2 cm just by squatting! The other two difficult contractions came while I was in the tub. I was at 9 cm and wanted to push, my midwife told me to NOT push during the next two contractions. It was so difficult to not do so, nevertheless, once again she was right on point. After those two contractions, I was at 10cm and was one step closer to meeting my baby boy!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was to prepare myself mentally for what would/could take place. I read several different stories, watched videos, read book and asked mothers who'd gone through the process. My objective was to learn as much as possible while keeping an open mind. I tried as much as possible to remind myself that this is MY experience and it will not be like any other. Telling myself that it's ok if things don't go as planned, if things get messy (and they did), if I can't hold it together, If I cry, scream or even laugh!
Most importantly, I spent a lot of time with the Lord. Giving Him all of my fears, disappointments, concerns and desires. There is a peace that He gives you that is simple explainable.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The most surprising thing to me about my birth was the lack of pain. I must admit when my husband and I decided to meet with the midwife I told her my #1 concern the health of my child, #1.1 concern is the pain! I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to tolerate it. As I alluded to earlier, there were four contractions that were very uncomfortable. Other than that, I can't think of a time where I felt as if I just couldn't go on.
Another amazing surprise was how my body just knew exactly what to do. Childbirth is a process and I (all women) are equipped to go through that process with very little help. My body just did what it needed to do to bring my baby into this world! (WOW GOD)
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You can do it regardless of what you may have heard from others or even told yourself. It's natural and that's the way it was intended to be. You can do it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Pain relief during contractions were to lean on my exercise ball and rock back and forth. The water did not add as much comfort as I was expecting. However, I did have more relief in the tub when my belly was completely submerged.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered sitting up in my tub
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the best feeling ever! To finally meet my baby boy. Comparing this experience with my first birth (induced with epidural) I felt as if we'd (my baby and I) had just gone through this amazing experience together. As I labored, I recall talking to him and encouraging him to stay strong and continue in the process. Finally holding him in my arms, I kissed him and told him how well he'd done on this journey. As I try to put the feeling into words, I'm realizing that words can't explain the feeling of holding my baby for the first time.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I did not have a horrible hospital birth with my first child however, my husband and I wanted to try a more natural (less invasive) approach this time. Initially, I didn't think that I fit into the typical "natural mama" category and honestly while doing my research I couldn't find many women "like" me that had documented their story (Bi-racial, Overweight). I can recall numerous occasions when I told others of our decision to have a natural birth, the comments that were made by family, friends, physicians and even strangers. " why?", "it's not safe", "You can't handle that", " It's a waste of money", "Oh, I would never imagine you doing that". I began to evaluate how society has decided to take something so pure and innocent (natural) and make it so negative. I too had to evaluate my perspective on the matter. It was at that point, that I began to rid my mind of the negative stereotype and understand the beauty of it all. For any woman considering having a natural birth, you can do it regardless of what you may have heard from others or even told yourself. It's natural and that's the way it was intended to be. You can do it!
