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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had light cramping around 11am and thought that I had so much time before I'd be meeting my baby. By noon I was showered and getting in the car for the 45 minute drive I had to the birth center. I didn't realize I was in active labor until the second contraction I had once I made it to the birth center.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging this about this labor was that it was extremely precipitous. I arrived at the birth center at 12:57pm and my daughter was born at 1:12pm after 5-6 very strong contractions. Most people wish for a fast labor but this was so fast that I had little to no break between contractions. I had to dig deep and really trust my body and my baby.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did before this birth was to talk with my fellow mamas and birth workers. I had a very real fear as I got closer to my second labor and birth that I had to work through before my baby made her debut. My first labor was beautiful and uneventful but I still had this little voice in the back of my head filled with the "what ifs". Without the support of other my amazing birth team and the other inspiring women I share my life with I wouldn't have been able to feel peace those last few weeks.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The most surprising thing about this birth was how fast it all happened. I went from extremely early labor to delivery within 15 minutes.
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Trust in your body and make sure that you also trust your birth team. Birth in a place you feel completely safe with people who make you feel the same.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Trusting my body and my baby was the only thing I could do with my extremely precipitous labor. My doula applied counter pressure through one contraction and it was amazing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered in a side laying position with my midwife and mother supporting my legs.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was a complete sense of relief and awe. Her welcoming earth side was silent as we both caught our breaths after our fast and strong journey together. The room was still and quiet and our first meeting was purely touch. Neither one of us opened our eyes to look at each other until after this photo was taken.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust in your body and make sure that you also trust your birth team. Birth in a place you feel completely safe with people who make you feel the same.
