-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
When the contractions were not slowing down with baths throughout the day and then when my water BURST. It was a pretty intense feeling of immediacy from that point - I was sure I would deliver any minute (but the baby came the next morning)
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
When my labor stalled after a mistaken freak out by a nurse and the term c-section was being thrown around.
-
IMG_2019
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading other birth stories - I felt ready for anything and knew to be open minded if things did not go as planned, which turned out to be exactly how things ended up.
-
What surprised you about your birth?
That the mind body connection is so powerful. From labor being stalled because someone got in my head to dilating fully because I got in my head.
-
Believe in yourself and your baby. At the end of the day - your body was made to do this and your baby is going to come out and you will be so happy to hold your healthy, beautiful love that any drama of labor or pain is erased immediately.
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Focusing on my breathing - I had done yoga for years, so I felt confident in being able to just hold on to that. And for pushing pains (especially when his head was stuck for what felt like hours) - good old screaming :)
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
The normal sitting up, legs up, which I didn't plan on but just worked out that way.
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Unreal - I immediately felt washed over with love, forgot all of the pain of labor and pushing and forgot to even ask the dr if he was a boy or a girl! (we waited to be surprised)
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself and your baby. At the end of the day - your body was made to do this and your baby is going to come out and you will be so happy to hold your healthy, beautiful love that any drama of labor or pain is erased immediately.
