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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Contractions started at about 8 PM the night before and I was generally uncomfortable. I was using the birth ball, side-lying, walking and other methods to attempt to find comfort. I had been dealing with false labor for weeks at those point so I wasn't timing the contractions. I went to be and woke up at 3 AM with intense contractions and that's when I knew it was labor. They were 7-8 minutes apart at this time.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Handling the contractions from 7-10 cm. The pain at that time was intense, but I got through it with the techniques learned with the Bradley method and with my husband, midwife and other support persons.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Squats, going to the chiropractor, birthing exercises learned from the Bradley method and being mentally prepared.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That it was different from my previous home birth. It went quicker, I got very tired and was falling asleep while I was suppose to be pushing.
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Don't let anyone force you into it. You must want it for yourself. Don't let anyone tell you that it can't be done.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing, relaxing my hands and forehead to help relax the rest of my body, massage, and telling myself I was going to get to meet my baby boy soon.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Via Birth stool provided by my midwife.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing. I was no longer tired and just wanted to get him to my breast.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't let anyone force you into it. You must want it for yourself. Don't let anyone tell you that it can't be done. The biggest thing- prepare and educate yourself. Prepare yourself for the pain and educate yourself so that you can have the knowledge and information to be able to rebuttal when others try to act like they know what they're talking about. Each time you're able to educate someone else you feel more empowered to have a natural birth.
