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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up around 3am to use the bathroom and had a lot of bloody show and was having contractions every 5 minutes.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had three days of prodromal labor. It would pick up in the evening only to slow way down by mid morning the next day. And the back labor!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I am a labor doula so thinking through all my training and experiences, talking about birth, reading all of my favorite birth books, and watching home birth videos on You a tube.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised that I put expectations on this birth. I know as a doula to not do that but I did anyway. My first birth was in the hospital with an epidural, my second was also in hospital but natural. It was so easy, but this birth was very challenging mentally and physically.
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I delivered her head on my hands and knees in my birth tub but her shoulders needed a little help so got out to deliver the rest of her in hands and knees on my couch. It was pure joy!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Rebozo sifting, counter pressure on my lower back, massage, hot showers and baths.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered her head on my hands and knees in my birth tub but her shoulders needed a little help so got out to deliver the rest of her in hands and knees on my couch.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was pure joy! I never got to hold my sons right away so it was a dream come true! She was covered in vernix and completely perfect!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself this is the key to meeting your birth goals. Read all the books you can, talk to other women who have given birth naturally. Hire a midwife! They have thousands of years with of knowledge passed to them and are hands down the best care providers I've encountered personally and professionally. If you're delivering in a hospital a doula is a must! I would've ended up with a much different outcome had I not had mine with me. She was invaluable to my husband and I.
