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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having prodromal labor for weeks and contractions all the time throughout my pregnancy so it was very hard to tell when labor started. It started on early in the day on Friday July 22nd but I didn't know until July 23rd at 7am when my water broke while I was laying in bed.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Going natural made it easier for me. The most challenging thing was dealing with people's opinions and reactions.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Yoga. Yoga breathing. And reading books to help reduce my fears such as hypnobirthing, Ina may's guide to childbirth, Bradley method book.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How the labor and birth of baby were the easy part. The hard part was after the baby was born, my placenta was difficult/painful to get out, the stitches from tearing were painful and breastfeeding was painful and difficult at first.
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There is nothing to fear, you are not hurt, your body is just tightening muscles to open you up so the baby can pass through. It's just another normal bodily function.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I had a bunch of strategies prepared, hypnosis, relaxing music, aromatherapy, meditation apps, positive affirmations, etc and I didn't end up using any of them because labor was so intense that my mind was blank. All I could do was breathe.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Flat on my back, NOT at all what I had planned. Wished I would have used gravity to help. I was too exhausted to get into a better position and no one suggested anything else.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Warm, wet and emotionally I felt shocked.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
There is nothing to fear, you are not hurt, your body is just tightening muscles to open you up so the baby can pass through. It's just another normal bodily function.
