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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water started leaking around 12:00 am when I got up to got to the bathroom but I wasn't quite convinced it was actually my water. I decided to call my midwife around 12:30 after going back forth on whether or not it was real. Since I was group B step positive they said I should meet them at the birth center in an hour to get an IV started. Contractions were very sporadic on the way to the birth center and even after arriving around 1:30 am. The midwife told me to try and get some rest and at 5:30 if nothing had really picked up then we'd try some castor oil, a hot shower, and then a walk. Contractions remained sporadic so around 5:30 am I took some castor oil and then got in the shower. I still didn't have consistent or strong contractions so i went for a walk and climbed a few flights of stairs. After coming back from a walk the nurse further broke my water around 7 am. I actually found out that when my water started leaking originally, it was only my forebag of waters. After breaking my water I was only 4 cm dialated. I decided to go for another walk and climb some more stairs and then came back to the room to try out the breast pump. Contractions were still not overly strong or consistent. Continued to walk and climb stairs for several hours until around 11:00 am things finally began to pick up and I could no longer walk through contractions. We came back to the room and I got on on the bed on my knees and leaned over a large yoga ball and swayed back and forth through contractions. Then I got in the shower for a bit and contractions became even more intense and closer together. I then started to get sick and threw up a few times. Around 12:00 pm I started feeling a little pushy so the nurse checked me but I was only at a 6. I was a little discouraged as I felt like I was in transition but my husband was very supportive. I moved to the toilet as I felt like I had to go to the bathroom. While on the toilet I had two very strong contractions and then decided to move to the tub. I had about three or four more contractions in the tub and then I felt baby move down into the birth canal very quickly. I reached down and felt baby's head a half a finger in. The midwife asked me to get out of the tub and move to the bed. I made it to the side of the tub and had to start pushing. About three pushes later baby was born at 12:58 pm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Transition was very rough but very quick. At the time I didn't know it would be quick though. I was only 6 cm dialated at 12:00 pm but quickly moved to complete and pushing baby out by 12:58 pm!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I bounced on the yoga ball, read positive birth stories, and prayed to prepare.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I am surprised how quickly I went from 6 cm dialated to complete and meeting baby!
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Surround yourself with positive stories! Don't let other people tell you how hard it is! You can do it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Counter pressure and the tub.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Hands and knees
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Unbelievable! Incredible! Absolutely thrilling ❤
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surround yourself with positive stories! Don't let other people tell you how hard it is! You can do it!
