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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My induction was started on a Saturday morning, but didn't take. I waited around in early labor until Monday morning, at which point my primary midwife came on, switched up the induction meds, and I began active labor around 11am on Monday morning.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about my entire labor in general was not being able to go natural. My baby was 10 days overdue, which gave way to oral induction meds, followed by pitocin, followed by vaginal induction meds, followed by restarting pitocin. Every desire and request in my birth plan was gradually crossed off, until I finally requested an epidural at 6cm dialated, about 65 hours into labor. At around the same time, it became clear the tone among my providers began changing, and a c-section was on the horizon. Miraculously, over the next 7 hours I progress quickly and my baby was born vaginally without any further intervention at 9:30pm.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I was very focused on having a fully natural labor and delivery and really dedicated myself to anything I thought would help. I took yoga three days a week, took evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea, took a natural birthing class, and read books by Ina May. I also learned everything I could about natural labor including reading birth stories by other women and watching natural birthing videos online.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How out of my control it was. Despite being everything I didn't want for my labor and delivery, the experience changed me in some profound ways. I learned to let go, be more relaxed, and stopped obsessing about minor details. I also gained a deep appreciation for my husband, who proved himself to be an incredible birth companion. While I hope my next labor is very different, I wouldn't change what I learned from being forced out of my comfort zone.
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My advice for anyone, natural or not, is to make a birth plan, work hard to get everything you want from it, but be prepared to be relaxed if things don't go as planned. At best, you'll get everything you want, at worse, you'll grow as a person and mother and be better prepared for the unexpected nature of parenting in general.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Prior to the epidural, I found rocking and swaying while breathing in through my nose and moaning out my mouth was very helpful. I also felt a lot of relief when my husband massaged my back and while using a heated bean bag in my lower back.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
In order to start pushing, my epidural was turned down so I had full use of my body. I pushed in my many different positions, my favorite being hands and knees. However, I found I got the most bang for my buck laying on my back and pushing while pulling my knees back. I delivered in that position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Because of the long traumatic labor, I felt very disconnected from reality. I remember a lot of the pushing, but almost nothing at all from delivery till the next day. Also, my doctor was called out suddenly in the middle of doing my stitches to catch the baby that was crowning in the room next door. I was left on my back in stirrups for almost a half hour. I don't remember even talking to anyone. I prefer not to think of this as the "first time" I held my baby. Instead, my "first time" moment was a few days later when I was trying to get her to fall asleep and suddenly felt an overwhelming rush of love for her. I imagine this is the moment many women describe as their "first moment". It was indescribable.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
My advice for anyone, natural or not, is to make a birth plan, work hard to get everything you want from it, but be prepared to be relaxed if things don't go as planned. At best, you'll get everything you want, at worse, you'll grow as a person and mother and be better prepared for the unexpected nature of parenting in general.
