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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Saturday morning, I woke up with some interesting lumpy bloody show and contractions around 5:30 AM. I decided to shower and do my hair and make-up because it'd been a couple days, and I wanted to feel fresh, especially if this was nothing and I needed to find something to do outside of the house to pass the time.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Nothing. This was my second natural birth, and I don't know anything else. Everything happened as it should have. I wouldn't have it any other way.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hire a doula! Seriously! We didn't with my first, and while it was fine, having one this time made all the difference, especially with an 11hr labor!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I didn't expect an 11hr labor, for sure. My first was 5 hrs from start to finish. No signs of labor until my water broke, and then super fast from there. This time was a typical labor that started with contractions and didn't end until my midwife decided to break my water for me. Two hours later, we had a baby. Night and day from what I was planning to endure! But it was much calmer and more grace-filled despite its length.
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Set yourself up for success in every single way. Get an experienced and knowledgeable doula and midwife, stay out of the hospital, and go to a chiropractor religiously. If you want it, it's yours, but you can't just hope for it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Massage on my low back was the most important thing. I was holding too much tension back there, and my husband and doula took care of me!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my knees with my hands resting on my yoga ball (on my bed).
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
A relief! I couldn't believe I'd done it!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Set yourself up for success in every single way. Get an experienced and knowledgeable doula and midwife, stay out of the hospital, and go to a chiropractor religiously. If you want it, it's yours, but you can't just hope for it.
