-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I was having a lot more contractions than I usually had in an evening, and even though they were irregular, they didn't stop.
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Transition. My contractions weren't waning all the way, so the breaks weren't really breaks, it was a cycle of more pain, less pain. That laud about an hour before I started pushing, and it was the only time I told my husband "I can't do this" and thought about getting the epidural (to which he replied, "Yes you can! It's just a minute; you can do anything for a minute!" Because I didn't say the safe word).
-
38FE54DD-34AB-48A0-8BE1-17AC087ADA56
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Research. I read tons of blogs/articles and asked friends what it would be like. Even though it's different for everyone, I knew how it could be and was prepared for any way it could have been! More than that, I really wanted to go natural so I read a lot of testimonials about other women's experiences and about all the benefits for me and my baby! Reading all about it and feeling prepared gave me confidence which got me through!
-
What surprised you about your birth?
Learning what "Do you feel like you have to push?" means. And how good it felt to push, even though it was very hard for me, as I was having a hard time catching my breath! I was amazed that I was actually doing it on my own without drugs and that the time was completely out of my mind - I was shocked when they told me I pushed for an hour and 20 minutes, it felt both way less and way more than that at the same time!
-
You can do it. It's hard. It hurts. It gets worse before it gets better. Know what's going to happen - it's not going to be smooth sailing!
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Slow, deep breathing through the contractions and rubbing my hands over my legs or forehead and focusing on that feeling. Also having my husband touch me somehow - rubbing my arm or back or just putting a hand on me - feeling his touch distracted me from the pain. At the end, it really helped when he pushed hard on my lower spine, it seemed to counteract the pain.
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
Unfortunately, on my back. I felt so weak and my IV was hurting my hand if I put pressure on it, so I felt like I couldn't roll over or move myself around. Also, I had gestational diabetes, so I knew ahead of time that I would have to finish pushing on my back once the baby crowned in case there was any shoulder distosia (thankfully, they're wasn't!).
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was an amazing and emotionally overwhelming experience! It all seems like a blur; I was exhausted but so happy. It took me a while afterward to fully process that this baby was MINE and had come out of my body!
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it. It's hard. It hurts. It gets worse before it gets better. Know what's going to happen - it's not going to be smooth sailing! But you can do it if you believe you can do it! It's all about mentally preparing yourself and being ready for any way it can happen/feel. Try different positions, use birth affirmations, make sure your partner or coach is prepared to support you! Each contraction only lasts for a minute. You can do anything for minute! I also suggest having a safe word that means "I need the epidural now" that way you can cry, complain, moan, and work through any way that you need to and your partner (and nurses) won't ask if you want to have the drugs. Not constantly having to think about the decision will help keep you in the right mentality!
