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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At my 40 week appointment non-stress test, the nurse detected a deceleration in baby girl's heart rate. I was sent to the hospital for further monitoring, and they ended up keeping me and inducing labor. I could tell contractions had really started when my lower back started to get right and hurt. It felt like period cramps! Once my water broke, that's when the real intense contractions started.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I gave birth naturally in a hospital that has a 40% c-section rate and a 97% epidural rate. The hardest thing was knowing I was giving birth in this kind of setting and knowing I might face opposition from the staff. Luckily we had a fantastic nurse who was training to be a midwife so she was very supportive!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Research, research, and research some more! The more I knew, the better prepared I felt for what was coming. I knew in my mind I couldn't control what was going to happen so I just did as much as I could ahead of time. I swam all throughout pregnancy, drank gallons of red raspberry leaf tea, did yoga, and spent lots of time on the exercise ball. Oh and listening to birth stories was so empowering!
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What surprised you about your birth?
The pain wasn't at all what I expected. The fact that after each contraction the pain was completely gone is what helped me get through each one. When she was crowning I was expecting to feel the famous ring of fire but I didn't. Thank you hormones!!
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You can do it! The benefits of going natural far outweigh the pain relief that medication can bring. So much of it is in your mind and preparing mentally for what could happen is key. Also, be flexible! Having a birth plan is amazing, but birth is also very unpredictable so be open to what happens.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Counter pressure from my husband and Doula. Moving around as much as possible.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I did most of my pushing on my hands and knees but I ended up delivering on my back.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Euphoria. I couldn't believe she was actually here. My little buddy who had been with me this whole time! Even though there were 5 other people in the room, it felt like it was just me, my husband, and our sweet baby girl.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! The benefits of going natural far outweigh the pain relief that medication can bring. So much of it is in your mind and preparing mentally for what could happen is key. Also, be flexible! Having a birth plan is amazing, but birth is also very unpredictable so be open to what happens.
