Walking, Birth Ball And Birth Tub Helped Brooklin During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was overdue I had no signs that labor was close until I was about 40 weeks + 6 days I finally lost my mucus plug but thought nothing of it considering losing your mucus plug didn't mean your labor would start immediately I hit the 41 mark and was about done being pregnant on July 13th I started having contractions every 3 minutes I headed over to the hospital immediately but was sent home because I was not dilating the next day around 6:00 am I started having contractions again and this time they were unbearable I was in tears I headed over to the hospital again and was in full blown labor after a couple of hours I was 4cm dilated and requested an epidural due to being in pain for so long I couldn't take it my doctor had to break my water for me and sure enough the labor process went by so far faster I was already 7cm dilated in a few hours then I went from 7 to 8 in an hour then 9 to 10 in a half an hour the pushing phase lasted 3 hours and was very painful even with the epidural I still felt a burning sensation and lots of pressure I had to get an episiotomy because of how large my baby was after the pushing phase was over my baby boy was born July 15th 5:30 weighing 8lbs 4.5 ounces and 21 inches long it was a difficult, long, and painful labor but worth it in the end

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Dealing with the contractions but dilating i was dealing with contractions for a solid two days

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

The most helpful thing for me was walking it helped speed up the process and helped with the pain before I requested an epidural

What surprised you about your birth?

How well I did I didn't expect to handle it so well

Do what you feel is best if you choose to go natural remember to breathe you can do this

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Walking, birth ball, and birth tub

What position did you end up delivering in?

Legs open and laying on my back on the hospital bed

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

It was a strange at first I could not believe I was actually a mother it was my first baby and my first love ?

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Do what you feel is best if you choose to go natural remember to breathe you can do this