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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I experienced prodromal labor for the two weeks prior to giving birth. I actually had gone to my midwife twice and to the birth center one night, just to be told it wasn't "real" labor. The day I gave birth, I kept second guessing my body. My husband convinced me that we should go see my midwife, since she was on-call. I got to the birth center and was told that I still wasn't progressing, but she felt it was different than it had been. She suggested that I go walk the hills around the birth center. My husband and I walked for an hour, until I couldn't walk through the contractions any longer. I got back to the birth center at 6:30 and our daughter was born at 8:30! I labored and gave birth in the tub, which was wonderful.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Because I experienced the prodromal labor, I kept second guessing my body's abilities. My husband just kept reassuring me that this was it and she would be here soon. The pain was so much sharper and more intense than my first labor. She was born with her hands up over her face, which explained some of the increased pain.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
With a toddler, I didn't have as much free time to devote specifically to preparing for childbirth. I did, however, maintain a high level of physical activity during pregnancy and ate very healthy (as normal). After my first pregnancy and natural birth, it solidified my belief that pregnancy and birth are normal, natural processes that the female human body goes through. During this pregnancy I just listened to what my body needed. During labor, I just let my body do the work (once I realized it was really happening!!)
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised by the prodromal labor, since with my first contractions started and then a few hours later we had a baby. I was also surprised by how intense and fast my labor was when it did progress.
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Trust in your body's ability! Also, find an educated support team that believes in you and knows what you want for your birth (and why).
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I gave birth in the water. For me, the warm water takes the sharpest edge off of the contractions.
We also worked with the same midwife that helped deliver our first baby. She is amazing and knew what would help me versus what would irritate me.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I labored in kind of a crouching position and moved to leaning back against the tub right as her head came out.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing. And it was so reassuring to see that she was perfect and healthy!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust in your body's ability! Also, find an educated support team that believes in you and knows what you want for your birth (and why).
