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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions were about 10 minutes apart for almost 12 hours and then they started getting closer together. They were pretty intense from the very beginning but I did notice some spotting and mucus plug so I knew there were cervical changes happening which were exciting! Once they started getting closer together, it happened very fast. I called the midwife once they were 4 minutes apart but they went down to 2 minutes apart before we left my house and I was 8cm when I got to the hospital!!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part was a transition and I ended up vomiting which I was very surprised about but I didn't feel bad about it because I knew that meant my baby was very close to arriving and I was excited to start pushing!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Remained active during the pregnancy, did my best to maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water, and did baby positioning exercises. I listened to affirmations and took several baths soaking in Epsom salts with candles and calming essential oils.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Once the contractions picked up, it was very quick! From the time my contractions become 4 minutes apart, it was less than 2 hours and my little precious boy was born! I felt amazing afterward and he was perfect! Several people told me "you don't seem like you just had a baby! You look great!" So different than the birth of my twins 2 years prior with preeclampsia and an induction at 37 weeks.
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I was also extremely proud of myself and very empowered. It was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it would be.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I had my fiancé doing the counterpressure hip squeeze and sacral pressure and I did a lot of rocking and walking at home. I labored mostly on my knees until it came time to push and my legs were too weak so I flipped onto my back to push.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my back and pushed a total of 6 times. The first 2 were to move him down into the birth canal and my midwife was helping my cervix along the last centimeter with her finger while I pushed those first few times. Then he came out in 4 pushes after that and it was very easy. I didn't tear!!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was overwhelmed with relief that we were both healthy and that he was a boy (we wanted to be surprised so no one knew the gender until he made his arrival)! I was also extremely proud of myself and very empowered. I did it and I felt completely in control of the entire situation-except during transition. It was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it would be.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
My fiancé and I took the Mama Natural childbirth course and it was very informative. Since this was not our first child, a lot of the information was a refresher, however, the birth stories and encouragement resonated with me during labor, helped me concentrate, and gave me the confidence to stay home as long as possible. I felt like I knew exactly what was happening inside my body based on the contractions and the information from the course. I was prepared for the questions they asked about infant care afterward, and I felt like I had a plan and stuck to it. I know I am so blessed to have had such an easy birth that resulted in a healthy mama and baby!!
