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When did you realize you were really in labor?
On New Years Day, I had my felt my first contraction! But it wasn't until a day and a half later, when contractions picked up (they were pretty sporadic until then) that I realized baby would be coming sometime soon! I also was using the bathroom nonstop, which I had heard was a sign of soon-to-come labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Quieting my mind! Your body has amazing ways of helping to cope with the discomfort associated with labor but your mind can be your enemy! Your mind tells you "this is the part that's going to hurt" even though you haven't felt pain yet and that can stress you out! When I was pushing, my midwife told me "don't focus on the now, but focus on five minutes from now when you're holding your baby!"...that helped me turn off my brain and focus on the prize!!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I researched and read SO many natural birth stories. I surrounded myself with positivity but I also had a realistic plan to be flexible (my mom and sister both had to have c-sections). We took a natural birth class which helped build my confidence. My husband and family were all so supportive of my wishes to have a natural birth which was great!
I also ate healthy, exercised, walked 3-5 miles a day (especially during the last month!), did prenatal yoga a few times a week, and did daily squats. I drank lots of red raspberry leaf tea!
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I was further along than I expected! At 41 weeks, I had my check-up. I had been having contractions for about a day and they had picked up a few hours before my appointment. When they checked me, I was 5cm dilated and 90% effaced! I was shocked how comfortable I felt being that far along (I had thought women started to feel discomfort after 3cm dilation).
I also was shocked that pushing wasn't the most challenging part of my birth! I always assumed that pushing was the hardest part about labor (I mean a baby's head and body come out of you!!) but once I got to the pushing phase I was SO relieved and all I really felt was pressure and not pain. The discomfort for me came right before the pushing phase.
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Surround yourself with as much information as you can and also as much positivity. Have a "I can do this" mentality!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Moving around. My midwife and nurse team were AMAZING at having me try different positions. I loved doing a "slow-dance" with my husband. I also really enjoyed being in a tub, especially when my back was starting to hurt. My team also gave me body massages to help me relax which felt great.
I also started to nod off in between contractions which was awesome! Each time, it felt as if I had taken a 10 minute snooze even though it was barely a minute! I was semi-lucid dreaming which was a really cool experience. Definitely understand when people say birthing is an "out of body" experience. The "naps" I was taking helped me push through contraction after contraction with renewed energy.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was surprised about this (because I had imagined I would be in a squatting position) but I delivered on my back, legs pressed against my husband and midwife (they wanted me to hold my thighs but it felt way more comfortable for me to push against my team - ha! I rounded my back and had plenty of pillows behind me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal and amazing. One second ago this baby was inside of me and now I'm holding him?! CRAZY! We also didn't know the sex of the baby so we were overcome with joy about the baby being born, baby being healthy, and also finding out that we are the proud parents of a baby boy :-)
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surround yourself with as much information as you can and also as much positivity. Have a "I can do this" mentality! Also, I have zero memory of the discomfort I felt during labor - I remember being uncomfortable but cannot place how that pain felt. But I do remember how incredible it felt to deliver my baby and the amazing rush I felt for days after. So just know that the discomfort will end but the joy you'll feel will keep on keeping on :-)
