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When did you realize you were really in labor?
3:57 A.M.? when my water broke. I woke up to use the bathroom and when I laid down afterwards my water broke. I rolled out of bed and waddled back to the bathroom with water gushing out with every step.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Fear of the unknown. Not knowing if I am going to be in pain for hours and hours. The pain has always been manageable. But, my fears leading up to it are by far the hardest part.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I talked about my fears. I also did a fear release script with a hypnobirthing specialist that helped so so much!
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What surprised you about your birth?
How different it was from my previous five births! Every aspect was a different experience.
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You can do it! I was so afraid that I was not going to be able to do it natural. I didn't believe that I could actually do it. Luckily my amazing husband believed in me more than I believed in myself. Also get a great support system. I had my husband, friends, and fabulous midwives to encourage me every step of the way.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Staying focused and keeping my eyes open through every contraction. With my precious births I would close my eyes through every contraction and focus inward. This time I opened my eyes and focused outward and it was really helpful.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Proped up at the edge of the bed with my midwife on her knees. I also had my husband and another midwife holding each of my knees and two of my friends holding my back.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
AMAZING! I was in awe that I was a actually done! I was exhausted and it was amazing to hold her slippery warm body against mine.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! I was so afraid that I was not going to be able to do it natural. I didn't believe that I could actually do it. Luckily my amazing husband believed in me more than I believed in myself. Also get a great support system. I had my husband, friends, and fabulous midwives to encourage me every step of the way.
