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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was not sure till very late. I still don't know when my contractions went from training to real. I guess when I cried during a contraction.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had hard time with both stages: very tight cervix, opening slowly and painfully, and 2 hours of bringing 4.2 kg baby out with his arm stuck to his face. In my head I was saying things like "just remove the pain!" and "just cut it out", but I knew I was not considering it for real. I remember I was discouraged that I couldn't bring baby out no matter how hard trying and was saying "I just can't", but my team supported me.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I think everything just summed up.
Probably, the most powerful thing for mental preparation was going to classes for home birth and watching home birth videos even if I was not going to do it: so I just knew having it in a 100% natural way is possible.
And physically - prenatal yoga, from week 12 till the very end.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That it was so difficult to understand when to go to hospital. Contraction tracker didn't help at all!
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Believe in yourself and choose a good team that you fully trust.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Hot shower (didn't have a tub), breathing, vocalizing, swaying hips, hugging husband. Back massage felt good. Don't really know what my doula was doing at the latest stages, was not acknowledging much :)
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On the yoga mat on the floor, on my knees, hands in my husband's hands who was sitting on a chair in front of me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Like the righest and most natural thing to do
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself and choose a good team that you fully trust.
