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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The night before baby Charlotte was born I was having mild contractions, but they were slowly getting more and more regular. I woke up about 1 am no longer able to rest through them, and by 5 am I had my husband call our birth team.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part about going natural was definitely transitioning and pushing. It was also hard knowing I had no option for pain relief - the only way for the pain to end was to keep going straight through it.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My birth team was the best and most helpful part! Having only women (and my hubby) that I trusted completely to guide me through each contraction was the best decision/preparation I made. They were incredible and I don’t know if I could have done it without them!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I underestimated how difficult it would be! And it surprised me that I struggled to bond with my baby girl during the first two days because I was so sore and beaten up physically. But soon my body started to heal and we absolutely fell in love!
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I was reminded that I am strong and capable and my baby deserves the best shot at birth with no intervention
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
THE TUB! That was the absolute best relief I could have asked for (without modern pain management, obviously!).
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I remember thinking two things: 1. Is it finally over? Did I actually do that and can I finally breathe? And 2. I told my baby she was safe on this side of my belly, too. She was 17 days late so I wanted to assure her she was loved and we could take care of her!
It took me a little while to truly bond with baby Charlotte because of my recovery, but my husband bonded instantly. That was such a relief! Once I recovered physically I realized what a beautiful gift she was and how my life would never be the same!
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Our baby is named Charlotte Rue. Charlotte, aka Charlie, because my husband was raised by his grandfather, Charles, who had passed away before he got to meet me or his beautiful granddaughter. Rue was our shortening of the Hebrew word “Ruach,” which means “breath” or “spirit.” God alone breathed life into our little miracle, and God healed my husband two weeks earlier from a collapsed lung that required 9 days in the hospital. God is the giver of all life and the ultimate healer.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
I was reminded that every contraction was doing something, even if I wasn’t very far dilated. I was reminded that I am strong and capable and my baby deserves the best shot at birth with no intervention (if we needed it, we needed it and thank goodness medicine exists but let's use the best chance possible!).
