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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After my water broke after a second sweep of my membranes. Contractions started about 30 mins after!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The self doubt. The entire pregnancy people laughed and told me I wouldn't be able to have a natural birth. Especially not with my first. Once I was in active labor I started worrying that maybe they had been right all along.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I drank red raspberry leaf tea starting at 37ish weeks. I also hired a doula and attended classes at the doula foundation.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went! My water broke at 1 pm and I had her by 9:58 pm.
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It was so surreal! I was able to pull her the rest of the way up and I couldn't believe I had done it! I kept repeating "I did I did!" over and over.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
In the beginning being on the birthing ball and laying in between my husbands legs while my doula rubbed my back. Later I switched to laying my side with a pillow in between my legs.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was so surreal! I was able to pull her the rest of the way up and I couldn't believe I had done it! I kept repeating "I did I did!" over and over.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Hire a doula! She really helped me change positions and remembering to control my breathing. Also drink red raspberry leaf tea before hand! I think it really help shorten my labor.
