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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having lower abdominal pain, felt more like cramps than anything, all day. My mom, youngest son and myself spent the morning shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, met up with my husband and oldest son for lunch out, then spent the early afternoon decorating the house for Christmas and just getting last minute things done before our baby girl came. As the day went on my "cramps" turned into undeniable contractions. I was actually having to stop and breathe through some of them and by 330pm I thought, "this is for real, I should time these". They were 8-9 minutes apart at that point and still very manageable. I went to bed at 1030p with them still 7-8 minutes apart and woke up to 3-4 minutes apart at 1245am. They very quickly increased in intensity and duration and by the time I woke up my husband and we left the house they were only 2-3 minutes apart and very strong, and we had a 30 minute drive to the hospital ahead of us!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It's funny, I didn't plan to go natural! I had an epidural with my first two births and just figured I'd need one this time too. I did plan to TRY and labor at home as long as I could, but I didn't think I'd make it as long as I did. The most challenging part for me was overcoming my own self-doubt when it came time to push. I had it in my head that I NEEDED that epidural - man was I wrong!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did my homework this time! ? I continued to workout and run right up until labor, I drank red raspberry leaf tea, ate dates, drank pineapple juice and just tried to give my body the best chance at an easier labor and delivery I could.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Everything! Because I spent so much time laboring at home, by the time we got to the hospital I was (shockingly) already 7-8 cm dilated. I had two more very strong contractions and boom - ready to push! There was no time for anything - barely got an IV in, no meds at all, no time for my doctor to get there! Luckily, there was another doctor there at that very moment to come in for me. ? I was so afraid to deliver without an epidural but everyone in the room was so encouraging, I was able to focus and have my baby in my arms after only two pushes! We had only been in the hospital for 30 minutes, it was crazy and amazing and empowering. I felt like super woman.
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Trust your body! It's made to do this and though it is painful for brief moments, it is worth each of those moments. Plus - you'll feel so much better when it's all over. I was up and moving around an hour and a half after giving birth, something I could not do after having an epidural with my first two! It was amazing!!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Calming myself at the start of each contraction, breathing through it and remembering it would only last a minute. I would bend over the counter, sway or sit very still and close my eyes to get through the harder ones.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Semi reclined with my husband and a nurse holding my legs - didn't have time to set up the bed with stirrups or anything.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible. We were both in a bit of shock and just stared at each other for a moment.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body! It's made to do this and though it is painful for brief moments, it is worth each of those moments. Plus - you'll feel so much better when it's all over. I was up and moving around an hour and a half after giving birth, something I could not do after having an epidural with my first two! It was amazing!!
