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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About midnight the night before I gave birth, when my mucus plug started showing up.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I'm not sure I would say any part of it was necessarily challenging. The pain was hard right at the very end, but not unexpected. A natural birth is all I've ever wanted to do, so every aspect of it was welcomed.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Visualized my birth and kept expectations of everything going well. I feel like that really put me in the right mindset leading up to the actual birth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It ticked along like clockwork, so I'm not sure there was anything genuinely surprising at any point.
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Don't fear the pain. Mentally walk yourself through the labor multiple times beforehand, a way to put yourself in a calm and peaceful mindset toward the experience.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Deep breathing, mental acceptance of the pain and prior visualization of working through it. Taking each contraction one at a time, knowing they would only be temporary and if I could power through I would find relief on the other side.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my knees in the birth pool.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Wonderful. She was fat and squishy and covered in vernix. She felt strong, not as delicate as her older sister had been.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't fear the pain. Mentally walk yourself through the labor multiple times beforehand, a way to put yourself in a calm and peaceful mindset toward the experience. When in labor, find a position that is comfortable and work it as long as you need to, then change if your body tells you to.
