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When did you realize you were really in labor?
On my due date, I woke up to what seemed like excessive bleeding. I was concerned, and my midwives told me to go to the hospital. By the time we arrived, I was starting to have some contractions. They weren't really painful. I had had prodromal labor for two weeks, so I still didn't think this was the real deal. However, when my midwife checked me, I was already 4 centimeters dilated. She explained that my cervix was quite irritated and that was the cause of the bleeding. Because of my first birth being a fast car birth, she decided to admit us into labor and delivery. This was around 11am. We walked, watched tv, lounged in our birth suite. I kept expecting to be sent home for lack of progression. It took about 6 hours before the contractions picked up to where I actually believed this was labor. My midwife did a thorough membrane strip at 5pm. She also attempted to break my waters, but failed to do so. After that, things picked up fast!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This birth was by far easier than my first. I think that is largely because I was in a calm environment and knew what to expect. I had no fear. I've realized that my mental state affects my pain level so much. The hardest part is to relax and allow your body to take over. The more you fight the waves, and the more you panic or overthink it... The more it will hurt! Despite an amazing and "easy" labor... My transition this time was INTENSE. I totally had the "fight or flight" moment where I wanted to run away and I was sure I couldn't do it for another second. Thankfully my husband and midwife were there to remind me that we were just moments away from meeting my daughter. There is nothing like transition! It's so primal.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
With my first pregnancy, my husband and I took a birthing class that taught the Bradley method of husband coached birth. That was invaluable in both my births. With this birth, my husband was so amazing as a coach and doula. He did everything to keep me happy and calm. For me, having a constant support person is so vital in labor.
One thing I added this time was hypnobirthing on my iPod. I wished I had that the first time! It was amazing at keeping me focused and relaxed.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That my daughter was born on her due date! And how short hard labor was. I was only in real pain for about 3 hours. And even then, I had nice breaks between the waves where I could collect myself and refocus. Overall, it was the birth I had hoped for. It was a very healing experience being that my first birth was fairly traumatic.
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Incredible! There is no feeling in the world like it. The instant relief, the instant rush of joy and exhilaration. That warm, damp, tiny body squished up against your chest. It's better than words could ever describe. It makes it all worth it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
1) Rebozo sifting! I can't sing it's praises enough. My husband worked hard to do this for me and it was so so helpful.
2) Laboring in water. I got in our birth tub for about 45 minutes when labor was intense. It was so soothing. I could have stayed in there forever. As soon as I got out, I went into transition, and then delivered our daughter within minutes.
3) Hypnobirthing/Birth Affirmations recording. I really thought these sounded so silly. I didn't bother to have them with my first birth. But I was determined to try ANYTHING that would improve on that first experience. And I'm so so so glad I had them for my second. The calm, matronly voice repeating affirmative statements really kept me grounded. I was able to pull myself back in the zone of relaxation and concentration even through the most intense contractions thanks to this.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up on all-fours on the hospital bed. I climbed into the bed that way, and it was instinctual to stay that way. I had really bad back labor at the very end, and I'm certain any other position would have made it worse.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible! There is no feeling in the world like it. The instant relief, the instant rush of joy and exhilaration. That warm, damp, tiny body squished up against your chest. It's better than words could ever describe. It makes it all worth it!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Then prepare some more. If you go into labor with the mentality that you will just try to have a natural delivery and see how it goes... You will most likely end up with an epidural. Birth really is so intense and requires so much mental focus. It takes weeks or months to build up the mental endurance needed. You have to be DETERMINED that this is what you want, and prepare in every way possible. Educate yourself and your support team. Make a birth plan. Practice relaxation and pain relief strategies with your support person and/or doula. Know that it is SO worth it. Know that you are capable. Know that you are made for this!
