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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After 3 hours of nonstop contractions coming any where from every 7-15 minutes apart.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Staying strong when you are so tired. My contractions started at 6:30 pm and I labored through the night until she was born at 7:17am. The baby was face up, so I had a lot of back labor and tried several positions to try and turn her.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I drank a lot of red raspberry leaf tea in the weeks leading up to my due date. I also started taking evening primrose oil the week before my due date. I relaxed and let baby come when she was ready, which was 10 days past her due date.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I had the strength to deliver my 9 lb 5 oz baby without medication. And that I managed to feel better after birth than I did with my previous hospital birth with the epidural. When it comes time to push your body just knows what to do, instinct and adrenaline kick in to get that baby out.
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You can do it!! Your body was made for this. Being able to feel your baby coming out is amazing (I didn't notice the pain, more of a pressure feeling) People really can't believe how great I feel just days after a natural delivery of a bigger baby than I did with my medicated hospital birth.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
labor and delivery in the tub. Sitting on exercise ball and husband applying pressure on my hips during contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my knees in the tub, leaned against my husband.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! My husband cried with this delivery, because he was able to have a much more active role in the delivery and he saw how much harder I had worked to get this baby out.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it!! Your body was made for this. Being able to feel your baby coming out is amazing (I didn't notice the pain, more of a pressure feeling) People really can't believe how great I feel just days after a natural delivery of a bigger baby than I did with my medicated hospital birth.
