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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having Braxton Hicks contactions the previous two nights before I went into labor. That morning I went to get up and felt a sharp pain in my abdomen but still didnt think I was anywhere close to going into labor. Just to be sure though I went ahead and took a shower and put makeup on. My husband must have sensed that this time it was serious because he was the one who convinced me to go to the hospital. Good thing we did because my contractions went from 7 minutes apart to 3 to 4 minutes on our drive to the hospital. I got to the hospital at 1:15pm and delivered at 4:01pm!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The actual labor was the worst part for me. I was still in triage while they were trying to find me a room so I was really uncomfortable and it was just my husband and myself going through this for the first time. I had chosen this hospital specifically for their tools used to help moms deliver naturally such as birth balls, aromatherapy and music and I didn't get to utilize any of that!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Research, research, research! Also, hiring a doula was really empowering knowing that I would have a stellar support system going through the birth. Unfortunately my doula didn't get to the hospital in time since I delivered so fast but she was great beforehand with all the information she imparted on me.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I was able to do it naurally! Once the pain hit me I definitely had some weak moments where I was considering some interventions but luckily the baby said it was too late for any of that so I'm really glad I didn't have the choice to use any pain medications or an epidural.
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Do your research and make sure your provider is on the same page with you especially if your doctor or midwife is part of a group.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having my husband there was so great as I was able to brace myself on him and just become dead weight when the contractions hit me. Also, the nurses and my husband were great in coaching me through it with encouraging words. They probably didn't realize how much I needed to hear how well I was doing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended delivering on my back, however this was not the position I wanted to be in. I felt the need to sit up in a squat position but they did not want the baby coming out too fast so that was their reasoning for my position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was surreal that this (big!) little person was tucked so neatly inside me.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do your research and make sure your provider is on the same page with you especially if your doctor or midwife is part of a group. I had a group of 6 midwives who I saw and all of them were very supportive of my choice to avoid interventions, except one. She told me that if I wanted natural I should go to a birth center because hospitals were for interventions.
