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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I began having signs of labor two days before my little guy arrived... But on the morning of June 23rd, around 5 AM I went to the bathroom to pee and I was confident it was game on. I yelled to my husband from the bathroom to get our daughter ready to head to his parent's house. He was a bit disoriented and told me he thought he was dreaming.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This is my second child; my first born I went natural as well. This time around I can honestly say the challenges were minimal, as I was very comfortable in my home. I am normally a very vocal individual, but during labor I find it more difficult to articulate/verbalize my wants and needs. I strongly recommend having discussed birth preferences with partner and birthing team in advance and having your best-laid plan in writing. It always helps to have a partner in tune to your needs... I am a very grateful lady for my hubby :).
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66-1-of-1
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Educated myself... I read, read and read some more, did prenatal yoga, belly dancing, and practiced mindfulness.. I also became a certified HypnoBirthing educator which taught me various helpful techniques to utilize prenatally and during childbirth. Special breathing and movements/positionality were both very helpful in helping me to enjoy my labor. My husband and I created various affirmations and hung it around the birthing space.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I loved it! I wanted it to be longer, haha... I gave my sweet boy so much love for making the experience better than I had envisioned possible for the both of us.
I didn't push... I breathed my baby down and out. It was calm. I trusted my body to safely bring my baby to me (and there were no sutures needed).
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I would encourage all mamas out there that if they want to go natural (and they are in good health as well as their baby) that it is an incredibly empowering and beautiful experience. I cannot properly put words to the experience... but it is definitely worth the preparation and will forever change you as a person, partner and mother.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
As far as pain relief... understanding the power of the mind was so helpful...keeping myself calm and doing this by integrating breathing techniques. I hummed often and did raspberries with my lips... keeping my mouth as loose as possible (Ina May's description of the Sphincter Law was very helpful in describing the importance to me).
Counter pressure was incredibly helpful as well. My husband applied a strong massage with a clenched fist to my lower back as I leaned forward holding onto our railing for support. Movement/mobility was very important to me as well... utilizing a birthing ball and rotating in a hula hoop motion. Visualization techniques along with utilizing affirmations.
Additionally, being in the warm birthing tub helped promote relaxation.
I'm all about controlling what you can... and the environment is one aspect of that. I knew I wanted all my senses engaged during the laboring process... a diffuser helped promote a soothing scent while relaxing music echoed in the air and the AC was set very cool, favorite drinks and snacks handy while having sentimental photos, affirmations and floral arrangements in view.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
No question about what was most comfortable and natural for me...on my Hands and Knees (with both of my kiddos)
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
MAGICAL....he is my rainbow baby
We had just begun our new journey together.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I would encourage all mamas out there that if they want to go natural (and they are in good health as well as their baby) that it is an incredibly empowering and beautiful experience. I cannot properly put words to the experience... but it is definitely worth the preparation and will forever change you as a person, partner and mother. Birth doesn't have to be how the media depicts it, or how your mom friends may choose to discuss it with a painful twist ... no, you're not 'crazy for even thinking about no drugs.' It doesn't have to be painful. For me, I can honestly say I didn't experience pain this time around. If you plan for a painful birth, it takes the space away from having a peaceful one. Plan for peace... and I'm serious, jot that down on that birth plan; I wrote down that I didn't want sutures (random, but something important to me this time around for recovery purposes) and with my 9 lb 10 oz bundle of perfection, guess what, I didn't have any; reinforcing language is powerful.
Find the right care providers and support team for that special day... people that truly respect your values and decisions, and who want to celebrate with you. Educate yourself on your options (wise words that were told to me: if you don't know your options, you don't have any), understand the physiological process you and baby endure during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and I can't stress enough: Calm Mama, Calm Birth, Calm Baby. Women's bodies are incredibly powerful...
