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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When my water broke at 2 am. We waited at home for almost 48 hours but contractions did not start. Went to the hospital and found out my baby's head was preventing part of the waterbag from breaking. I required Pitocin and I was so depressed in the beginning because it derailed our "birth plan" but my baby boy and I persevered through all of it. His heart and my pressure stayed stable the entire time and we experienced 9 hours of natural labor and 30 minutes of pushing.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Trying to remember all the coping techniques while I was going through contractions.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Taking a birth class. We took the Bradley method class and I read absolutely everything about labor and birth. I watched documentaries and I read all Ina May's books.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised that even after requiring Pitocin, I was able to go through labor and delivery with no other interventions.
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You can do it. I look back on it and really cannot remember the pain. I just remember kissing that wet little head of my boy and feeling so much love and pride for myself, my body, and of course, my baby.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Using my yoga ball and sitting in the shower at the hospital with hot water on my back. Also having a wonderful mother in law massage my back helped tremendously.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Oddly enough, on my back. We labored in all positions but that until the end, it was all I had energy to do and it helped me push but baby's head was already over that edge they normally have to go up.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Cannot explain it in words. All just hormones, love, amazement, relief, excitement and wonder.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it. Whatever anyone else says or books and movies depict, you can do it. I look back on it and really cannot remember the pain. I just remember kissing that wet little head of my boy and feeling so much love and pride for myself, my body, and of course, my baby.
