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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had to be induced with my first child, so I was so worried I wouldn't recognize labor! At my 40 week checkup with my midwife, I still hadn't experienced a real contraction before. But at 5 am on May 16th at 40 + 3, I had a contraction that followed the "bell curve" my midwife described. 4 minutes later, another one, and 4 minutes after that, another - all varying in intensity but some I definitely had to breathe through. They just kept coming! That's when I knew this was different and I was beginning labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not knowing what to expect and self-doubt. Whenever I would tell someone I was giving birth at a birth center that does not provide pain medication, they would have a shocked look and say something like "good luck with that" or "wow, I couldn't do that, drugs all the way!". Those comments fueled serious self-doubt! I had no idea what to expect since my body was induced with my first, so the fear of contractions and what they would feel like- could I really endure them up until pushing?! Those thoughts were challenging.
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Etta
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Get advice from women who had gone natural before! I ended up simply reading (skimming) a Bradley method book instead of taking a course, and I was so scared that this prep wasn't going to be enough. I reached out to other women who had gone natural asking for their tips and tricks, and in the end, that was all I needed!
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What surprised you about your birth?
As silly as it sounds, I thought pushing was going to be easy, and active labor would be hard - it was definitely reverse! The pushing stage is where I had to really dig deep and believe in myself.
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Learn the labor and birth process - knowing what your body is doing and working towards is very helpful in justifying to yourself in moments of a doubt why you are doing this. Also - work WITH your body, not against it. Accept every contraction and push, don't fight it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I was able to labor in a birthing tub for the last bit of active labor - that was really nice!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal - I could not believe I just birthed her, naturally!
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What did you name your baby, and why?
It took us an extra two days to name her since we couldn't decide. She is now 'Etta Claire' - we love vintage names.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Learn the labor and birth process - knowing what your body is doing and working towards is very helpful in justifying to yourself in moments of a doubt why you are doing this. Also - work WITH your body, not against it. Accept every contraction and push, don't fight it!
