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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having contractions on and off for weeks, and I didn't want to go into the hospital for a false alarm when I started having them in the evening again, it was about 7pm. I was over 41 weeks, and my doctors wanted to have the induction talk, but I refused, so I knew this was possibly it since I was "late" but I wasn't 100% sure. After having so many false alarms I figured I would just take a bath until it passed.
After the bath my contractions became a little more painful, and I noticed blood after using the bathroom. Not a lot, but I had never bleed prior to labor with my other births, so I called the hospital, and they suggested I come in soon.
Turns out I was in labor, and my cervix was changing quickly!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about having a natural birth was the pain. Once I got to the hospital my baby was born 7 hours later, and even though everyone was telling me I was managing the pain VERY well I didn't feel like I was.
During contractions I felt emotionally weak because I wanted something to dull the pain, even though I had planned this natural birth for 9 months. It was disappointing to see how weak my morale was once the pain hit.
However, I didn't end up using any pain killers. I just didn't realize how emotionally taxing the pain would be, and how quick my resolve would dissolve. Had I not had a great support team with me reminding me that I could do it I wouldn't have been able to do it.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Listening to Mama Naturals affirmations is the best thing I could have ever done for my birth. Even though it wasn't a daily practice I listened often AND only when I was doing something calming and relaxing.
I brought my big noise canceling headphone with me to the hospital, and when contractions felt unbearable I put my headphones on and went to that relaxed place.
At my particular hospital it's policy to have a nurse for the mom, and one to two nurses for baby just in case something goes wrong.
I didn't know that, so near the end of labor when I was telling them I felt ready to push I went from having my birthing team and doctor with me to having 3 extra nurses, which might not sound like a lot, but it feels like a lot in labor. My contractions stopped, and I panicked and yelled at them to leave, was told they couldn't...ugh it felt horrible.
They did end up leaving so I could calm down, and I put my affirmations back on and went into my zone so they could come back in without me focusing on them.
The affirmations seriously saved me from an anxiety attack, and helped me not even think about who was in the room with me. It was back to it being me and my baby and my birth team. Baby was born a few minutes later.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The position I gave birth in. I had wanted to try sitting, but the hospital couldn't really accommodate me easily, so when it came time to push I felt frustration because I didn't want to be on my back.
I ended up kneeling on the bed and holding onto my husband for a while, and then switching to hands and knees. I didn't feel like that position was "right" because I didnt know how anyone could possibly catch the baby, but she was coming, so I told them I was pushing, and the doctor guided her to rest on the bed in between my legs after two pushes. One for her head, one for her body. Done. It was amazing how fast it went once we hit the pushing point.
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If I hadn't been intentional with this birth I would have caved and not been able to do it naturally. Having my husband there, a friend there...telling me I could do it when I felt like I couldn't...if they hadn't done that I would have given up because of the pain.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Soaking in the tub helped a lot, even though it wasn't very deep. Just being in the water helped. It also helped to blow the pain away mentally when I exhaled, and having my nurse tell me "you can do anything for a minute."
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Hands and knees! The bed was not flat, it was sort of propped up, and I had my head/arms on the pillow area supporting myself.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Pleasantly shocking. She's not my first baby, but it's always a little shocking to go from having a baby inside my body to in my arms.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare yourself. Educate yourself. Surround yourself with a good team.
If I hadn't been intentional with this birth I would have caved and not been able to do it naturally. Having my husband there, a friend there...telling me I could do it when I felt like I couldn't...if they hadn't done that I would have given up because of the pain.
And if I hadn't educated myself or prepared I never would have found the affirmations that were so helpful.
