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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After several attempts to induce labor using Black and Blue Cohosh and castor oil, I finally went into labor (at almost 43 weeks!). I threw up, and when the midwife told me I was in transition, that gave me a huge boost of confidence. I thought, "If this is as bad as it gets, I can TOTALLY do this natural labor thing."
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The EXHAUSTION! The endorphins that come with natural labor help with managing the pain, but they also made me sooo tired. That, plus 30 hours of labor will wipe you out!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did a lot of reading and research. That helped me prepare for all possible scenarios, and to anticipate possible complications, some of which did happen. I also managed my diet and nutrition very closely, taking plenty of supplemental vitamins, which helped both me and my baby have the strength and health to get through the ordeal that was our birth experience.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I didn't anticipate having what the midwife called a "pendulous" belly, making it so that I only made progress while my belly was wrapped. I wanted to use the water in the tub and the shower often for pain relief, and that slowed my labor down a lot, as well as wanting to sleep and lying in bed. Because of these delays, and because my baby turned out to be TWELVE POUNDS (rather than the nine and a half I thought he was) my labor went on for 30 hours! I eventually developed an infection, which necessitated an emergency C-section.
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Manage your nutrition closely, and make sure you are getting all your vitamins! The pain may seem like the scariest part, but it can definitely be manageable when you recognize that it is for a purpose: you are bringing your baby into the world!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Definitely the hot shower was the most effective, it almost made contractions feel like they had disappeared completely! The problem was, the hot water ran out very fast in my apartment complex, so the midwives bailed water into a tub and boiled it on the stove, one pot at a time. My husband was also VERY helpful with giving counter pressure, and doing lumbar inhibition on my back during the peak of a contraction.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I did get to push in the hospital for 3 hours before they finally decided I needed the C-section. Because I had decided to get the epidural at that point, I was limited to lying on my back. I was capable of also getting on all fours, and tried that position for a while, but made the most progress on my back. Unfortunately, my doctor made the decision to do the C-section when my baby wasn't coming out quickly enough before the infection was becoming a danger.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I had a fever, and was pumped with a lot of drugs after the surgery, so I don't remember a whole lot. But when I heard him cry for the first time, and my husband brought him up to my face, I was thrilled! The picture here shows me trying so hard to keep my eyes open, but also feeling so happy that baby Arden had come into the world!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Manage your nutrition closely, and make sure you are getting all your vitamins! The pain may seem like the scariest part, but it can definitely be manageable when you recognize that it is for a purpose: you are bringing your baby into the world!
Also, even if you are seeing an OB/GYN, take the time to at least consult with a midwife. They often do consults for free, and can provide extra advice from a natural perspective.
