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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Although we prepped with the Bradley Method birth classes, planned on a natural birth, and had a doula hired and ready to go... I did not get to go into labor, as our baby was transverse/oblique my entire third trimester and remained that way up until 41 weeks. We did have an ECV done at 38 weeks, which was successful, but our babe flipped back five days later. At 41 weeks, we decided to try another ECV. This time it was unsuccessful, our baby was unable to turn, and went into distress. Although a G-section was the last thing I wanted by all means, at that point, I knew it was what we had to do.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part of our birth was not getting to go natural when that was what we had planned for for so long. It was also challenging afterward to deal with the fact that our baby didn't have the chance to come into the world naturally.. but I have come to realize that our baby made her way into the world as safely as was possibly for her.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Even though I took Bradley classes, researched EVERYTHING possible, practiced relaxation techniques, etc... when it came down to it, the most helpful thing I did was switch my healthcare provider and hospital in my third trimester to a practice that my husband and I felt more comfortable with.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Everything surprised me about my baby's birth! I'm kind of an over-prepper and a planner, and I had to face the fact that the best made plans sometimes fail. I did not get the birth I had prepared for, but I got the best possible experience out having to have a cesarean. My doctor was amazing, as was the entire hospital staff. Once we knew we needed a C-section, we were walked through what the entire procedure would look like (including the anesthesiologist explaining the epidural process to me) and my doctors, nurses, and I all walked into the operating room together which made it a calmer and more exciting experience (the staff was encouraging and upbeat "you're about to have your baby now!" and "let's find out if it's a boy or girl!"). My doctor also asked the anesthesiologist if my husband could come in the room during the epidural, as I was nervous about that part; he was allowed in and stood in front of me during this part and held my arms and helped keep me calm. My doctors asked if I wanted a play-by-play, or just to know when our baby was being delivered and I opted to just be told when our baby was being delivered. My husband stayed right next to my face the entire time, spoke to me, and kept me relaxed. I could feel some pulling and pushing which was uncomfortable at times, but there was no pain. As soon as our baby came into the world, my husband went around the curtain to announce to me that we had a little girl (we had been waiting 41 weeks to find this out)! I was so excited and relieved that she was here and was safe. We were able to do skin to skin while I was being fixed up on the operating table and our baby girl started breastfeeding five minutes into the recovery room (I was also surprised with how easily she took to nursing!). During the delivery, my doctor found that I have a bicornuate uterus with a partial septum down the middle; this was the reason our baby girl was transverse/oblique. I was relieved to know that we really did bring her into the world in the safest way possible, as she would not have been able to turn had I gone into labor on my own. Even when you prepare as much as possible, just know that things can sometimes change and it's best to stay flexible with your plans. Not getting to have a natural birth does NOT mean you can't still be a natural mama :)
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Do you best to research, prepare, and advocate for yourself and your baby... but at the end of the day, remember that if your plans go out the window due to things out of your control, you have not failed as a woman or a mother.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I had an epidural since we ended up with a Cesarean - luckily it did not make baby sleepy and affect breastfeeding.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
In the operating room.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible... I couldn't believe she was finally here! Our baby girl was our rainbow baby, it was my third pregnancy but our first child; the relief I felt when she was finally here was indescribable.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do you best to research, prepare, and advocate for yourself and your baby... but at the end of the day, remember that if your plans go out the window due to things out of your control, you have not failed as a woman or a mother.
