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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had prodromal labor for 7 days starting on my due date. I went to see my backup provider at 41+1 in the afternoon, and she stripped my membranes. I had cramping on the way home and started to get excited that something was finally changing. By 9 PM I was having to breathe through the contractions. I tried to go to bed, hoping I would get to labor in the morning, but my body had other plans! I didn't get any sleep and finally at 2 AM I knew it was time to call in the midwife and doula.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly the hardest part was all the naysayers and doubters leading up to the birth. Everyone had an opinion about home birth and few of them were positive (or well-informed for that matter). I had to be so strong in my WHY and put their opinions away. The hardest part of the actual labor was that I had excruciating back labor that lasted even between contractions, even though baby was LOA. Oh, and I crowned for over an hour after 4 hours of pushing!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Choosing to break up with my OB at 14 weeks and go with a midwife and a home birth. Had I been in the hospital constantly being offered drugs, I probably would have given in due to the back labor. But at home, everyone was so supportive and encouraging, I actually never asked to go to the hospital or for pain relief. I knew I could do it. I also prayed over my birth nearly every day of my pregnancy and fully surrendered every aspect to the Lord, knowing He would be with me regardless of the outcome.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The back labor! I had worked so hard to get baby in optimal position, so I couldn't believe when the contractions were in my back. I almost felt nothing in my front. But I have always had menstrual cramps in my back as well, so it must just be something about my anatomy.
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It was the ultimate explosion of relief, serenity, joy, and peace. I stared into his eyes and knew exactly who he was. We had waited to find out the gender, but I had known all along that he was a boy. My heart was and is completely full.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Warm water and counter-pressure! My doula was a complete Godsend, she knew exactly where to press to ease the back labor. She pushed me to labor as long as possible before getting in the tub, so I got maximum relief. My chiropractor also came to my house during transition and adjusted me to ease the back labor! My team was amazing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my side in bed, with the midwife holding my feet, the doula pressing on my back, and my husband fanning me with a popsicle box. I had always imagined pushing on all fours, but that was excruciatingly painful when I tried it. At one point while I was on my back, the baby's heartbeat dropped just slightly so I had to change position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the ultimate explosion of relief, serenity, joy, and peace. I stared into his eyes and knew exactly who he was. We had waited to find out the gender, but I had known all along that he was a boy. My heart was and is completely full.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The main thing is it convinced me to hire a doula! My midwife also provides doula services, so I thought it would be redundant to hire a doula, but the birth class convinced me, and I'm so glad I did! I'm not sure I would have made it without her.
