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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I laid down to rest the night before I gave birth and the contractions continued to get stronger and longer instead of petering out like the prodromal labor I had experience in the weeks before. I then got up to use the bathroom and felt wet. I thought maybe my water broke but instead It was a lot of bloody show and mucus plug. I knew then that I was dialating and the contractions were real.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My labor stalled a few times which was frustrating. I had to continue to remind myself to believe in the process and that my body could do this without interventions. Women are meant to birth! I had to retreat to a quiet room at one point to gather my thoughts and strength.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Switch from a hospital birth at 36 weeks to a home birth. All of my babies were “overdue” and I had been induced twice with my first two because my pregnancy exceeded the hospitals policies as I neared 42 weeks. If I did not switch to a home birth I would have felt pressured to try natural induction techniques or be induced at the hospital. Instead I enjoyed those extra two weeks of pregnancy and waited until my baby was ready! She was born at 41 weeks 6 days and was perfectly healthy with no signs of being “overdue”
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how long my labor was for a third baby and how labor naturally progressed and then stalled. Looking back, I see that it he stalls allowed me to regroup and rest. There were times in my labor all the way up to transition that my birth team and I were laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It was a great Experience!
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The demonstrations and visuals actually helped me remember concepts that I had overlooked and forgot from previous classes. I think new mothers and veterans will benefit from the Mama Natural Birth class.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The birth pool and my bath tub in active labor and counter pressure and rubbing my legs during transition.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Standing up
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
At the end of transition I finally felt the urge to push. I was exhausted and knew I was so close to holding my baby. I gathered up my strength and pushed with all I had! She came quickly and I was so relieved! I was so happy to be done and to see my baby but I was exhausted! I didn’t feel the elation and euphoria until after a had a good nap! Two weeks later I’m still feeling good, loving my baby and so happy to have chosen to bring my little girl into this world gently and naturally.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
With this being my third pregnancy and second unmedicated birth, I used the birth plan and the class as a refresher course. I enjoyed the format of the class compared to other birth classes I have attended in the past. The demonstrations and visuals actually helped me remember concepts that I had overlooked and forgot from previous classes. I think new mothers and veterans will benefit from the Mama Natural Birth class.
