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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke the day before my due date, so I waited it out for awhile since I didn't feel strong contractions. About 7 hours later the contractions started coming and told hubby it was time to go to the hospital. I wasn't too keen on having a hospital birth because of all the information I read about needing to dilate every hour, and I really wanted to progress naturally.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The transition phase, that was the most intense feeling I had ever felt.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hypnobirthing! I was actually going to wing it without any meds/epidural etc. I'm so glad I read up on hypnobirthing, I actually don't think I would have managed if I didn't focus on my breathing, and realizing this is what I'm meant to do and feel.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The pain is not THAT bad. I mean I was in labour for 12 hours, pushed for almost an hour, ended up with an inverted uterus and lost a lot of blood. I didn't prepare for that but it happened, and I kept telling myself I can do this, our bodies are meant to deal with labour and its complications. Ill be honest and say that by not taking any pain medication gave me the strength to move forward and work with my body.
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You can do it! Prepare yourself for something so beautiful rather than a day of pain and fear. Natural birth is just that its natural and you are working with your body and trusting it. Positive thought and relaxation helps the body. Something that always stuck with me: "The mind is capable of anything because everything is in it, all the past, as well as all the future".
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Walking and squatting. I also sat/bounced on the birth ball a lot. My husband used lavender oil when massaging me, which helped me to relax.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I wanted to give birth on all fours but ended up giving birth lying on my back. It happened so suddenly, the doctor had to check how dilated I was and the next thing I was pushing.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Unreal! It was crazy, It hadn't hit me yet that this little being had finally arrived and I was holding her, honestly so much went through my mind. From wanting to scream to crying to feeling such intense love.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! Prepare yourself for something so beautiful rather than a day of pain and fear. Have the right people around you. Dedicate yourself to you and your baby, you will go through something that only you and your little one will experience it will be like nothing you have ever done before, but it will all be worth it! Natural birth is just that its natural and you are working with your body and trusting it. Positive thought and relaxation helps the body. Something that always stuck with me: "The mind is capable of anything because everything is in it, all the past, as well as all the future".
