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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Honestly, I kept questioning it. I had my first contraction at 1 AM and they were irregular, but painful. With my first, I labored for 2 days with contractions that stopped. Well, with my second, it got to be 2 PM and I was crying through them before my family finally said it was time to go. I don't know what I was thinking. They never got regular though! Anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes apart! I was fully dilated upon arrival. No wonder it hurt so bad!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The 15 minutes of pushing. Originally, I had a natural water break in my birth plan, but since I was fully dilated with my water still in tact, we began pushing and it just didn't feel right. So, I let my OBGYN break it. After that, the pain was surreal. I didn't realize it would hurt so bad, or that my body would completely take over and do the entire thing for me, but it was both extremely difficult and empowering. Luckily, it only lasted 15 minutes, whereas with my first (which I had an epidural), I pushed almost an hour. I definitely contribute my quick pushing phase to being med free! It was worth it.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read a lot. I read on this website, I read tons of natural labor stories, and I knew exactly what I wanted to happen. I'm lucky that my dream labor happened. I contribute that to God. I literally prayed specifically for my labor just a few hours before I had contractions. My mind was ready. And I was prepared.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I was fully dilated upon arrival. I couldn't breathe through most of the contractions, yet some weren't so bad. I kept questioning if it was really time. Also, the pain of the actual pushing phase. The baby's head and shoulders were horrible, but only lasted a few minutes. It was intense, but pretty awesome. I was surprised I didn't tear. I feel like I owe a lot of reading and no epidural for that. Both kept me from pushing too hard at the wrong time.
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"if it's that painful, then you're almost done!" And I just knew he was right. I'd read that when you say "I can't do it anymore" that it means you're about to do it for real, and it was totally right. I was almost there, at the peak of the pain, and just needed someone to tell me
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Pre-water breaking, I just was excited to see the baby. Also, walking and having support helped. Eating/drinking. During the pushing phase, the only thing that helped was when my man said "if it's that painful, then you're almost done!" And I just knew he was right. I'd read that when you say "I can't do it anymore" that it means you're about to do it for real, and it was totally right. I was almost there, at the peak of the pain, and just needed someone to tell me. But in reality, I did scream a lot.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back, but with my legs closed and on my side. I have no idea why, I just couldn't move once I got in that position. It worked.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Honestly? I just remember saying "That felt terrible." Over and over again. But I was in shock. Looking back, I'd totally do it over again. I was so happy to have him in my arms and felt a huge rush of endorphins shortly after.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do it. It's so empowering. Coming from someone who has done both epidural and then none at all, there's a reason you're supposed to feel it. It's painful, definitely. But I don't regret it. Let your body do it for you! You don't even have to push. It does for you.
