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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized that labor was REALLY finally happening when the contractions woke me up and were only three minutes apart and lasting for a minute.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Defending my desire to go natural was my far the hardest aspect of the entire process. Friends, family, and coworkers would all respond with "get an epidural the minute you get to the hospital" and " demand an episiotomy, even of the doctor tells you they won't give you one." Even our plan to have a doula to support myself and my husband during the birth, and our choice to go ahead with placenta encapsulation, both got extremely negative reactions from certain family members. I am so thankful that I stood up for myself and my baby to prepare myself for the birth I wanted so badly.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
We took classes at our local hospital in the labor a delivery process, breastfeeding, and newborn care. We also made sure to have our doula supporting us throughout the pregnancy and birth experience.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was shocked at how fast it went! I was mentally and emotionally prepared for a ten hour, twelve hour, or even longer labor because this was my first. I didn't even realize how speedy it was until she was born. I had my eyes closed for the whole labor process to help me focus on breathing and bouncing the heck out of my birthing ball - so I didn't think to look at the clock.
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Learn as much as you can about your options for emotional support, labor, delivery, medical interventions, and priorities! The more information you have going into this process, the informed and flexible you can be if the need arises to deviate from your ideal birth plan.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I worked through the pain of labor and delivery by focusing on breathing the oxygen into my baby, breathing the spent air out of my body, and bouncing very hard and fast on a birthing ball. An hour of intense bouncing through contractions took me from 4 cm to 7 cm! I was also distracted by the pain by my husband and doula rubbing my back while I bounced and feeding me ice chips in between contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I labored on the birthing ball, waited to push until the doctor could arrive while leaning over the upright head of the hospital bed, and ended up delivering on my back in the bed. Thankfully this position did not seem to slow my progress or hinder the force of my pushing. By the time they said I was at 10 cm and ready to push, she slid out after three contractions.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was shocked and so relieved. I hadn't really pictured in my head what her face would look like. Our incredible delivery nurse let me hold her on my chest, skin to skin, for almost two hours before they even weighed her.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Learn as much as you can about your options for emotional support, labor, delivery, medical interventions, and priorities! The more information you have going into this process, the informed and flexible you can be if the need arises to deviate from your ideal birth plan. Surround yourself with people who support your choices and desires. Take great care of yourself during pregnancy so you can be strong for your baby when the time comes!
