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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The morning our sweet girl was born I had been having stronger and stronger contractions, and I really knew things were happening when the contractions were strong enough that I needed to stop what I was doing and focus on breathing through them.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I think the most challenging thing this time around (this was our second home birth) was being so tired right before she was born after a restless night of contractions.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I think the most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was to pray- asking God for His strength and expecting that it would be challenging. It was also very helpful to remember to breath deeply- to 'lean in' to the discomfort and pain and not resist (kind of a neat life lesson).
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was happily surprised by how quickly my body healed afterward, as this was my second child!
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It will absolutely be a challlenge, but it is absolutely possible!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Focused breathing helped me a lot, and his time I tried using warm water from the shower, which seemed to help too!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
This time I delivered on a birthing stool (versus my first time when I was on hands and knees leaning against a ball).
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was a precious time- a flood of relief with the intense pain being over, coupled with surprise that she was a girl and not a boy. I was so tired and so relieved and thankful.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
It will absolutely be a challlenge, but it is absolutely possible!
Keep calm and labor on ;)
