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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had two mornings where I'd wake up with a gush of liquid as I sat up or turned in the morning. I went to the hospital to get checked if my water broke the first morning and even though I tested positive on the one test on the fern test I didn't so they sent me home. The second morning when it happened I went back again and they said my water bag did have a small tear so that's when I was finally admitted.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It wasn't the labor that was as hard because I'm good with pain but everytime the dr would check to see how dilated I was... was the worst and hurt me a lot everytime. When I got to the hospital I was 3 and half cm dilated but the most painful contractions kicked in at 7 cm for me and once I hit 8cm it was maybe 2min and I was at 10cm and automatically had the feeling to push! Pushing was another hard part for me because it took me 15 min to push the baby out and his heart rate dropped which scared me and instinct kicked in a I figured out in the moment how to push after pushing wrong a few times I'm sure and then he was out and healthy and on my chest.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I bounced on a birth ball every night a few days prior to my water breaking and I also labored on a birth ball too and laboring on the ball was so much more comfortable as opposed to laboring on the hospital bed.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised how awesome nurses can be ! My nurse rubbed my back during the worst part of labor, she also in confidence told me she could tell how much pain I was in everytime the Dr checked how dilated I was and told me you are allowed to say no don't check me yet. This made me feel so good that she noticed and cared about my pain and wanted me to know I didn't have to just take it... and she was on my side at the end too because my dr the whole time seemed like she was rushing me or like she had somewhere to go because she kept coming in telling the nurses to up my pitocin and from the point of my water being fully broke til birth was only 5 1/2 hours long and yet at 8cm the dr came in and said to me I think we should give you an epidural I can tell you are in pain and that way I can put in a catheter to monitor your contractions better and I feel bad for you ...I was so disappointed because she knew I had come so far and that I wanted to go natural... and I said do I have too ? the nurse stepped in and said no she is almost there and she's progressing nicely she will be fine! I was sooo grateful for her because 2 sec after that moment I was at 10cm and automatically started to push... and after I had Zachary I felt such a sense of accomplishment! I was so proud that I did it and did it the way I wanted!
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Listen to your body it will let you know whether you can do it or not and don't be discouraged if things take a turn and you have to go with other delivery methods.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Birth ball and taking deep breaths and having someone like the nurse massage my back and soothingly talking me through each contraction.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back on the hospital bed
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was magical and such a sense of accomplishment and pride in that I just birthed this baby naturally !
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Follow your heart , do your research and don't cave under the pressure if someone tries to talk you out of it and you know you can do it. Listen to your body it will let you know whether you can do it or not and don't be discouraged if things take a turn and you have to go with other delivery methods.
