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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I felt a warm gush of amniotic fluid, while I was teaching on my last day before maternity leave.
At the beginning of class, one of my elementary students said, "I hope your water doesn't break!" Never thinking that would actually happen to me, I said, "Yeah! I hope not!"
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Trying to concentrate when I was nearing transition. When the contractions were so close together, I relied heavily on my low moaning and listening to my midwife.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading a lot of natural birth stories really empowered me and watching births. I knew that it was possible. Also, having a great midwife to guide me through the labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quickly it happened! Being my first birth and having no clue how it would be like, I was trying to mentally prepare for, at least, a 12 hour labor, but mine happened in less than six!
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When you feel like the pain is too much, you are almost done! Keep going!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Closing my eyes, doing breathing techniques from Lamaze and just focusing on one contraction at a time.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my left side with my right leg being held up by one of the nurses.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was unbelievable! I was in shock that we had a girl! We didn't know what we were having, and throughout my pregnancy, I only had dreams of us having a boy.
She is so precious and we are so in love
with her!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Only surround yourself with people who are encouraging to you and supportive of your natural birth plan. Don't let anyone talk you into doing something you really don't want to do. Believe and trust in your body. When you feel like the pain is too much, you are almost done! Keep going!
