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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Contractions woke me up at 1:30 AM. I continued to rest until morning but the contractions continued to get stronger. By mid-morning we decided to let our doula and midwife know that labor was happening.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had back labor with my first and I had it again with this baby. Although it was really challenging to relax with back labor the most challenging part was finding out baby had gone from posterior to and anterior position. It was difficult to get into positions that would give baby a chance to move back to posterior. The thoughts of transferring to the hospital wasn't to far from being discussed. Thankfully baby did move and my labor continued to progress naturally and at home.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Surrounding myself with an amazing birth team was the most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth. Around 35 weeks I decided to make the switch to a home birth with a midwife. It was something my husband I and looked into with our first and I had regrets of not pursuing it earlier during this pregnancy. My husband was very supportive of switching to a home birth and I was fortunate that the midwife was still able to work us into her schedule. I was still able to continue to see my OB who I trusted and was super supportive of natural birth. I also had the wonderful support of our amazing doula who was also present during our first birth. It was creditably empowering to have this trusted group of women that was over seeing my pregnancy and who would be there to support me during labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How long my labor lasted was a surprise. I was really hoping for a much quicker 2nd labor.
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Educate yourself on your options and surround yourself with people who will be supportive. I am so grateful I got to not only experience a natural birth this time but to have done it at home surrounded by such an amazing support. It is such an empowering thing to be able to trust yourself and the people around you.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having counter pressure on my lower back and hips was the most helpful with the intensity of my back labor. Laboring in the tub and side lying in bed was at times the most comfortable offering some relief. I had also prepare for this birth using the Hypnobabies home study. Although I wasn't able to use the Hypnobabies strategies very effectively, having the affirmations playing during my labor was helpful. I was able to relax and listen to one of the tracks at one point during labor. It allowed me to get a little, but much needed rest.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Once it was time to push I was able to make it back to the bed on hands and knees. I only pushed for a few minutes before our baby boy was born.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was so surreal and amazing to be able to reach down and be the first to hold our son. My labor felt like it would never end, but then it had and I was holding our baby. I felt such relief that he was born and that we were all safe and healthy.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself on your options and surround yourself with people who will be supportive. I am so grateful I got to not only experience a natural birth this time but to have done it at home surrounded by such an amazing support. It is such an empowering thing to be able to trust yourself and the people around you.
