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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After two weeks of slowly progressing, I was feeling in labor when measuring 5 cm and 90% effaced at my 37 week appointment. Unfortunately my baby was asynclitic and I made it to 38 weeks when my doctor induced due to the many contractions I was having and history of big babies.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Focusing. I have a high tolerance of pain when I can focus on what is happening and needs to happen. When my contractions, which were induced by pitocin, seemed to be overwhelming I found a button on the thermostat in my hospital room to focus on during each contraction. When I lost sight of the button, I felt every bit of pain in the contraction.
Fortunately for me, my nurses and doctor let me handle labor alone until I called for them. My husband stayed beside me the whole time, which is immeasurably loving and helpful during birth.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Research what happens during labor and delivery and prepare myself compared to the pain I could/wanted to handle. And trust that my body would do all it could to birth the baby according to the way God made me.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How long this one took! I labored for nine hours with this, my third baby, as compared to my first that ended as a c-section after 20+ hours and my second where I was at 10 cm and fully effaced, but the baby wasn't dropping. A little pitocin urged her out in less than an hour and a half.
I was also surprised at how slowly I recovered from the third baby even though I had her naturally.
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Between my determination and her encouragement, I delivered my third baby naturally. It's very possible to have your baby naturally!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I have a high pain tolerance, so focusing was my best pain strategy. And also holding my body up off the hospital bed. I guess the tension in my arms kept my mind off the laboring pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Supine on the bed. I lifted my body with each contraction to give room for my tailbone and pelvis to open because it used less energy than trying to move and walk. I fully understand how much energy it takes for my body to push a baby out after spending energy in laboring, even for a short time.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Such a sweet time. I held her for an hour on my chest before recording her stats and while I was tended to. Just as my first and second baby, holding this third baby for the first time was an indescribably sweet time I won't forget!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare yourself for all situations. I knew what pain level I could handle and how I wanted my birth to go, so after many discussions with my doctor, she was all on board for a natural birth but not without explaining the pros and cons to me. I also gave her full medical decision making control as I had a previous c-section and 4th degree laceration and knew this birth could change quickly. Between my determination and her encouragement, I delivered my third baby naturally. It's very possible to have your baby naturally!
