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Video Interview With Paige
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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at about 3:15am the day I had my son with period-like cramps. I wasn't too sure what they meant at first but within 45 minutes they were getting more intense and I was starting to feel them in my lower back and I thought "these are most definitely contractions!!"
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was my own thoughts on how things needed to go. I had originally planned to give birth at a birthing center but I went into labor 3.5 weeks early and had to go to a hospital instead. I had a mini freak out before leaving the house the day I gave birth. I had this whole picture in my head of how I wanted things to go that this little hiccup really sent me into a negative headspace. You can imagine my relief when we got to the hospital and they had a birth center unit!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did in preparation for childbirth was gain knowledge. The more I learned about natural childbirth and what my body can do, the less scared I became. I also practiced lots of mindfulness and meditation and regularly did yoga.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was so surprised by how quickly everything went for me. I woke up at 3:15 am having mild contractions. My partner and I arrived at the hospital shortly after 7am and I was already 8cm dilated. I then labored in a warm bath until I was 10cm dilated. When my body told me it was time to push I pushed three times and my son was born at 9:29am. The whole thing was just over six hours! So many people told me that I'd most likely have a long and hard labor since this was my first baby. Not this mama!!
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When my body told me it was time to push I pushed three times and my son was born at 9:29am. The whole thing was just over six hours!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Finding the right position really helped me alleviate some discomfort from the intense sensations. For me, this was being on my hands and knees. I was actually on my hands and knees for the whole thing, and I even gave birth that way. Laboring in the bath was also great for pain relief. The warm water felt beyond amazing! Finally, I enlisted the magic of meditation, breath work and sounding. When it was time to push, sounding was an amazing source of pain relief for me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
My son was placed immediately on my chest following birth. I just looked at him in disbelief. He was so perfect in every way and it's honestly hard to put into words how I felt. I was in the most euphoric state I'd ever experienced.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
His name is Radek Václav. My partner is from Czech and Radek is a Slavic name that means happy and willing. Václav (vātz - lāv) was my partners grandfather's name. About halfway through pregnancy I got really discouraged about finding a name I liked so we actually completely stopped looking for one and put it out of our minds. A few short weeks before I gave birth I came across this name and absolutely loved it. When I told it to my partner I could tell by the look on his face that this was the one.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't let people scare you out of wanting a natural birth with their stories! I personally had so many people want to tell me their negative birth stories. I was also told I'd have a long hard birth because "all first time moms do." People told me I was crazy for not wanting pain interventions and always asked "aren't you afraid it'll hurt?" Listening to talk like that can definitely get in your head. I had to block it out and avoid such conversations. At the end of the day this is YOUR birth and your journey will be unique to YOU. I am personally so glad I didn't let other people scare me out of wanting a natural birth. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made!
