-
When did you realize you were really in labor?
When my contractions became painful... I started to feel them in my back and legs. Definitely different than Braxton Hicks!!
-
What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Back labor!!! And doing 24 hours of labor naturally and then needing a medically necessary epidural... the back labor was so intense that I couldn't stop my body from pushing when I was only 7 cm. My cervix began to swell and regressed from 100% effaced to 50%. The epidural slowed labor and allowed my body to relax for about 6 hours when I was then ready to push. I pushed for 3 hours and our daughter was finally born! I worked hard to do everything naturally and am grateful the interventions were only used when it became absolutely necessary to continue with a vaginal birth.
-
20180524_143500
-
What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The mama natural childbirth classes! We learned so much!!!
-
What surprised you about your birth?
How intense the back labor was and that it didn't let up between contractions.
-
Do everything you can to have a natural birth but hold everything loosely... God has a plan and it's not always the same as our plans. But at the end of the day we have a beautiful baby in our arms and that is more important than the journey getting there!
-
What pain relief strategies worked best?
Leaning over and warm water on my lower back!
-
What position did you end up delivering in?
Semi reclining
-
How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Such a joy and a relief after such a long labor!!
-
What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do everything you can to have a natural birth but hold everything loosely... God has a plan and it's not always the same as our plans. But at the end of the day we have a beautiful baby in our arms and that is more important than the journey getting there!
