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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up around 5:30 needing to go to the bathroom after I'd been having contractions all night. Around 6 AM, I realized they were getting closer together and stronger. My husband woke up at one point while I was breathing through a contraction and I realized "this is it".
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Having already had a natural birth with my oldest, I knew that once I hit transition is when I would be in the most pain. That was also the point of no return where I couldn't change my mind and get any medication. I just had to go into the delivery room with the mindset that that was not what I wanted.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read several books and blogs and stories of other women who had had natural childbirth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
This birth (my second) was incredibly fast. From the time I got to the hospital until my baby was in my arms was only 4 hours.
I also had a great nursing team! They were both familiar with natural births and neither pressured me to take any medications once I voiced my desire.
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Mentally prepare yourself that this is a job and our bodies are designed for this.
Patience is another thing and knowing that you have to wait for a certain sequence of events before you'll be done and hold your amazing gift.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing! My mom climbed into the bed next to me and breathed in my ear. I could focus on my breathing this way, while I held my husbands hand and he watched the monitors to tell me when the contractions had peaked. My contractions were back-to-back and clustered together with little to no break in between.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back with my knees to my chest
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing! To be completely coherent and push her out in 2 pushes and hold her on my chest while we waiting for her cord to quit pulsing was beyond words. It was empowering to know that *I* did that just like my body was made to.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Research has always been my close friends. I recommend reading and researching as much as possible. Mentally prepare yourself that this is a job and our bodies are designed for this.
Patience is another thing and knowing that you have to wait for a certain sequence of events before you'll be done and hold your amazing gift.
