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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It all became real around 1pm on the 16th. I had just finished lunch and had clary sage and lavender oils diffusing. I knew my water had been slowly breaking since the night before, but as soon as I rubbed on an essential oil mixture to help bring on labor, bam! Contractions I could time started happening.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not knowing how long you will have to deal with the pain. Each contraction I handled pretty well and calmly, but as they grew more intense (and rather quickly), I wondered deep down how long it would be and prayed for my energy to stay up.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Be encouraged by other people who had chosen a similar birth for their children. In this case, a natural birth at home. A lot of people can freak out over something like that and make you feel self-doubt. But having multiple positive reinforcements in my life that I knew I could always turn to for uplifting words made all the difference. Because natural labor is SO much a mental battle!
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What surprised you about your birth?
How incredibly fast it was! Labor with my first lasted 21 hours, 10 hours of which was pushing and getting myself to extreme exhaustion. I prayed and prayed (and many prayed with me) for a less intense and shorter birth. This one was literally 4 hours. I still almost can't believe it! Pushing was like 45 minutes max. What a huge blessing!
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Surround yourself with positive people who believe you can do this. Fill yourself with knowledge on the process. Surrender to that because we were created to do this. :)
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Movement. I swayed, bent over at the waist with my arms outstretched on my bed as I stood next it for most of
my contractions. Also, my husband applied counter pressure on my hips for both of my natural labors and this is incredibly helpful! Lastly, focusing on my breathing really helped me stay focused on opening up to the pain instead of tensing up. I knew it would help me
progress more quickly if I did this.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my side. My midwife said this would be optimal for minimal tearing. I had 4th degree tearing on top of a epesiotomy last time, so anything I couldn't do to avoid that again was what I wanted. On my side, she was able to coach me as she helped my muscles stretch. I ended up with only one small second degree tear from my baby's elbow.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Utter relief. Overwhelming joy.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surround yourself with positive people who believe you can do this. Fill yourself with knowledge on the process. Surrender to that because we were created to do this. :)
