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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at 1am to a strong contraction. I thought I had to pee really bad and it was making my stomach cramp up, but after I peed it was still there. I began timing contractions on my phone and they were coming fast and regular!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I ended up stalling around 8.5 cm for 10 hours. My baby was sideways, so I had horrible back labor and my cervix stopped opening. The pain was completely unreal and left me feeling traumatized. I guess what they call transition went on for most of the day for me. I labored in a jacuzzi tub while my husband and two midwives helped me through the contractions. After a while my uterus tired out and I literally could not do it safely anymore, so my midwife suggested an epidural and a pitocin drip. I'm glad I did that, because I was able to sleep and rest through 4 more hours of contractions. I pushed my baby girl out in 3 pushes in the end, and it's because I had a chance to regain my strength!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read Ina may gaskins guide to childbirth. I learned everything I needed to know, and had the stories of so many women to give me strength. It gave me the strength to go natural as long as I could before I truly needed medical intervention.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I thought being well read would make it easy and fast. Definitely not always true! Being well read gave me the strength to get through some truly horrific contractions, and the knowledge to make important decisions for myself in the moment. I was also surprised at how much I peed, and how little I could control it!
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Dance, move your hips, breathe, rest between contractions. Take a shower early on. Trust your instinct, the contractions should feel productive!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
My husband rubbed grape seed oil into my back and hips during really bad contractions. It gave me something to focus on. I also labored in a warm jacuzzi tub. I couldn't have done it without those things.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my back, because I did end up getting an epidural. I watched in a mirror!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was totally surreal. I couldn't believe a human came out of me! I had trouble connecting the labor experience with the actual baby being laid on my chest! She surprised me and also felt so familiar. She was so strong and looked exactly like I pictured.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Dance, move your hips, breathe, rest between contractions. Take a shower early on. Trust your instinct, the contractions should feel productive! Right before my epidural I knew from the feeling of them and from the mood in the room that I was losing strength. I'm glad I went natural but I am also glad I chose medical intervention when it became dangerous.
