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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having contractions for most of the day. I realized I was actually in labor when I got in the bath at 11:30 at night and instead of feeling relief, the contractions grew stronger, and were about two to three minutes apart.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part was when I hit transition. I remember thinking that transition wouldn't last long, but it seemed to go on forever. I really started to doubt myself in those very long thirty to forty minutes.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Visualization, and using positive affirmations, and I continued to use them all the way through labor and delivery.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Honestly, the biggest surprise was how much different a birth with a midwife is from having a birth with an OB. My midwife was with me the whole time, and advocated for me, which allowed me to relax and focus solely on what my body was doing. Being able to fully trust her, I was so much more relaxed, and things just went more smoothly.
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Birth team is the biggest thing. A midwife or a doula to advocate for you in a hospital setting is extremely helpful, especially in transition when you may give in to pressure of procedures that you originally didn't want, and to encourage you, and let you know that you CAN do it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Using the tub, counter pressure, and finally sitting on the toilet seemed to take a lot of the pressure away.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered sitting on the toilet.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was a huge relief, just to know that she was okay, and that the worst of the pain was over.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I would say your birth team is the biggest thing. A midwife or a doula to advocate for you in a hospital setting is extremely helpful, especially in transition when you may give in to pressure of procedures that you originally didn't want, and to encourage you, and let you know that you CAN do it. Practice with visualization and positive affirmations during your pregnancy, and use that as a tool during labor, it really is helpful, especially in transition.
