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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I'd been having a bad dull lower back ache, but just kept assuming it was from walking so much earlier in the day. I felt a light contraction, and took a hot shower too see if it would make it stop. They continued while I was in the shower, and by the time I stepped out I had to brace my self against the while due to the intensity. I knew then this was the real thing, and by the looks of things it was going to progress quickly.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Getting through contractions without pain medication was really hard. For me the transition phase was really rough.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Took the mama natural birth course to educate my self and partner. Knowing what your body is doing and being able to read the signs along the way is huge. At one moment I looked at my partner and said I don't know if I can do this, he looked me in the eyes and told me I was in transition, and this meant we were almost there. Had we not been educated he wouldn't have been able to provide me that extra push I needed to get through. Knowledge is a powerful tool. Get informed on interventions, so you can make informed decisions regarding them. Learn about how amazing your body is and what it is doing in each stage of labor to keep yourself motivated.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was terrified of "the ring of fire", but was pleasantly surprised it didn't feel like that to me! Pushing felt amazing, and when my son''s hear was coming out I could definitely feel my self stretching, which was uncomfortable yet not as bad as I thought.
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Get educated, get your partner educated, and get a birth plan set. The hospital staff had full respect of my birth plan, and didn't once ask me anything about it, they simply looked at it and followed suit. It is not easy to go natural, but the pain is so worth it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Laboring in the tub during transition. The warm water helped ease the pain. In general just being able to move through contractions. I don't see how anyone could handle contractions while being forced to lay still on a bed. Asking for intermittent monitoring was the key here.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying on my back but tilted to one side. It was kind of awkward, but once my body decided that's how I was going to deliver there was no moving me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible. It was such a beautiful moment. There is nothing else like it.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Get educated, get your partner educated, and get a birth plan set. The hospital staff had full respect of my birth plan, and didn't once ask me anything about it, they simply looked at it and followed suit. It is not easy to go natural, but the pain is so worth it! I had an epidural with my first son and the experience was so different. Looking back I wish I would have gone martial with him, because now I realize how much we missed out on.
