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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It's hard to say. I had irregular contractions up to the very end. 6 minutes apart here, 8 minutes apart there, and varying intensity. It was discouraging to feel like things weren't progressing until we finally felt we had to call the midwife to come in to check things out. Turns out I was nearly complete despite the irregularity and that's when I knew (relieved!) it was time.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This time since there was no pattern, it was challenging to get in the groove and the right mindset. Probably the most challenging part though was not getting good sleep for many nights leading up to baby coming. My midwife even recommended me taking a sleeping pill the night off because we thought I was having prodromal labor. The sleep aid had me a bit out of sorts I think, and pushing was sooo much harder...
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Good nutrition and exercise are very important, so it's a tie between those physical things and putting together a support system with your care providers + family. That's so much more important than I had thought before having children.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How crazy I acted at the end of the pushing stage! I think I shocked my midwife! This was my 3rd time pushing a baby down, but I went slightly insane during the last handful of surges. I'm just glad we made it through and hopefully, if we are blessed with another baby, I can try to trust my body more and not scare everyone, myself included.
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Such a relief ? to meet your little one and love on them after all that hard work is a wonderful-- very unique and special-- feeling. I love the gooey baby feeling on your chest too.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and low moans are more helpful than one might think. That felt great along with rocking on a birth ball. For me, the tub didn't dim the pains as much as the familiarity of the birth ball.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Such a relief ? to meet your little one and love on them after all that hard work is a wonderful-- very unique and special-- feeling. I love the gooey baby feeling on your chest too.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
We've had Joanna picked as our girl name for each pregnancy. Our first two were boys, so we were so happy and surprised to use it! It means, I believe, "God is gracious", and we make sure our kids' names have a special meaning or namesake.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I'm not too experienced, but I'd say first to make that your goal and hope. Saying "I'll try and see" probably won't cut it. Prepare physically and by gathering the right "team" is big also... and make sleep a priority at the end of pregnancy!! I hope I do this if there's a next time! This was my 2nd natural VBAC, my 1st was euphoric, but this one was missing some of that blissed-out feeling from exhaustion we believe ? I wanted another endorphin rush!!
