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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At 39 weeks, I went to bed after a busy day and began having menstrual-cramp-type contractions, the same way my first two labors began. They were intermittent and widely spaced overnight and I tried sleeping between them and timing them, but by morning they had picked up and I knew it was early labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Leaning into the sensations and pain instead of fighting them, accepting that you have to go through them, surrender or be dragged.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
So many things helped me prepare to have a natural birth and ultimately avoid a surgical birth, like choosing midwifery care, hiring a doula, seeing a chiropractor and a therapist, and listening to tons of birth podcasts and birth stories.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My daughter was born frank breech!! I only pushed one time and she was out completely in that one push, and came out butt first! Nobody had any idea until she was born, even with a couple of cervical checks at the end!
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Educate yourself and listen to a wide variety of birth stories, then when you have done everything you can, trust that you and your baby will have the exact birth that you both need. Remember that your baby is an equal part of your team and listen and trust both your body and your baby.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having affirmations in my mind ready to pull from as needed. Early on, saying "It's pressure, not pain," was very helpful. Vocalizing with low tones was what worked best towards the end.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Completely miraculous! I had so much anxiety during this pregnancy and it all washed away, especially after my husband told me she was breech! I was so shocked and relieved, ecstatic and overjoyed.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Claudia, a biblicalname we liked, and Beatrice after my husband's late mother's middle name. We had chosen the name early on, maybe by 5 or 6 weeks, and right after an ultrasound at 9 weeks, I went and got a bottle of Coke and it had the name Claudia on it and I knew God was telling me it was a girl and she was healthy. Our genetic testing confirmed that one week later.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself and listen to a wide variety of birth stories, then when you have done everything you can, trust that you and your baby will have the exact birth that you both need. Remember that your baby is an equal part of your team and listen and trust both your body and your baby.
