Being in Good Shape Helped Kimberly Have A Swift Labor

When did you realize you were really in labor?

For weeks... and weeks -- what seemed like months-- I experienced Braxton Hicks contractions and hoped it would lead into something more since I was quickly advancing to my 42 week mark 'deadline'. I ultimately didn't end up going into spontaneous labor, and was scheduled for my pitocin drip induction at 42 weeks.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The most challenging thing for me was to make nice with the pitocin that I had pouring through my veins; an intervention that I truly didn't want, but understood it was necessary in helping me meet my baby. I had a complication ( velamentous cord insertion, dealing with the way the umbilical cord attached to the placenta) which ended up to not be an issue at all, but we took the necessary precautions.
The most challenging thing about having a natural labor was when my water broke; I was rocking with my husband and felt this immense pressure, and I knew my water was about to break- I opened my eyes and saw my husband's shoes, then my doula's shoes and though --I don't want to ruin their shoes!! So I briskly told them I needed to go to the bathroom immediately. It took them what seemed like 5 minutes to unplug the necessary cords to make me fully mobile, and I waddled my way to the bathroom, as soon as I sat on the potty my water broke, gladly no shoes were ruined! haha 22 minutes later I was holding onto my sweet baby.

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

Exercise and eating right. I know we hear it all the time, but I truly think being in good shape helped me prepare my body for a swift labor. I also hired a wonderful doula, did my research to help me make informed choices about what I wanted, and made a birth plan. I also told myself that it would be okay if not everything went exactly how I wanted it to- as childbirth rarely ever goes exactly as planned.

What surprised you about your birth?

How quickly I went from 4cm to baby! I was finally hooked up to the pitocin at 5pm, I had been at almost 3cm for weeks now, so I thought YES I have a head start! lol ... 5 hours later there was a shift change and I was checked... surely - I thought - I am at least a 6, the contractions are building.. please let me be a 6! .... I was at 4cm. That is when the negative thoughts came rolling in. I can't keep this up! I can barely handle these 4cm contractions any longer- how much more intense will they be when I'm at an 8?! (I stayed at 8cm for 3+ hours with my first) I signaled my husband to call the doula; surely her support will get me through the next 7cm with grace.
My doula supported me by making me realize that the 1cm every hour rule is just an average, some go faster! (she said supportively and failed to mention that some women go slower!! ;-) )
I got a yoga ball and bounced my way from a 4 to baby in my arms in 2 1/2 short hours!

Get in the right mindset! Prepare your body as best you can, and the rest it up to it! Breath through everything! You can do it!

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Since I was on a pitocin drip I couldn't roam the hallways like I had hoped, or even the room. I was confined to a very small space shoved between a bed, desk, and the tall machine I was attached to. I was able to get a yoga ball from the hospital and rock on that sucker! It helped so much!

What position did you end up delivering in?

My water broke and I was led to the bed - on my back, which I knew was the most un-idealistic way to push --fighting gravity and all-- but that's where I was, and I didn't argue. I only "pushed" (my body did most of the pushing for me, I just breathed through it) a few times before I held Eleanor in my arms.

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

Magical. There's a hundred wonderful words to try to describe the feeling you get for the first time, but it is really too marvelous to describe with words. Or perhaps I'm just not a wordsmith. ;-)

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

Get in the right mindset! Prepare your body as best you can, and the rest it up to it! Breath through everything! You can do it!
I have my birth video on my YouTube Channel for inspiration! :) : https://youtu.be/lIMVi-5Gp4o