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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was overdue and my midwife and I decided to do the midwives brew to get labor started. I drank the drink at 11 and had my first contraction at 12:15 but it was so mild and didn't hurt so I thought it was probably just a Braxton Hicks, the contractions kept coming every few minutes after that but they still felt more like Braxton Hicks then labor. I realized I was in labor for real at around 12:35 when suddenly out of nowhere the contractions got much MUCH stronger. The baby was born at 12:56 in very fast delivery.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing was how fast it all happened, so fast that I still had my pants on when his head started coming out which was actually kinda difficult to take off while birthing a baby. The midwife wasn't there yet so my mom delivered the head alone and then thankfully the midwife arrived as I was pushing out the shoulders.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Listening to hypnobirthing videos online to calm my mind in preparation for birth helped a ton. Without that, I probably would have panicked. Even with the onset of sudden strong contractions, I remembered to relax my muscles and body and breathe and trust that my body knew what it was doing.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The suddenness of it all and that I didn't push at all, I just felt pressure and his head came out all on its own. Also, I was pleasantly surprised that I had zero negative symptoms from the midwife's brew.
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Really prepare yourself mentally, practice how to calm your body, and relax your muscles.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Hypnobirthing meditation
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
So incredibly happy that I finally got to hold him! I also got to show him to my son and daughter who were at the birth and seeing their excited smiles at being able to see their new brother made it a beautiful moment
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Clayborne because he was born at the beginning of spring and I loved the earthy and natural vibe the name gives
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Really prepare yourself mentally, practice how to calm your body, and relax your muscles. It's great to do this while you are experiencing various pregnancy discomforts so that you can practice relaxing and staying calm. If it gets to be too much take a deep breath and remind yourself that it won't last forever, your body can do this and when it's over you will get to hold your baby.
