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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had gone over 2 weeks past my due date so even though I had been planning a home birth with a midwife, I ended up going to the hospital to be induced.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The real challenge was not getting the birth I had envisioned. With my first, I had a bit of a traumatic experience in the hospital due to a nurse who didn’t wake me up before doing a cervical check and breaking my water. For my second child, I was set on a home birth. Going to the hospital felt like a chaotic whirlwind at first, like everything was going out of control. It didn’t help that the on-call attending doctor was very unprofessional. She immediately wanted to do a c-section on me because I was surely having a “big baby”. I stood up for myself and that made her act very retaliatory.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Choosing the midwife I chose was the most helpful thing. When I went to be induced, she went with me to act as my doula. She was a blessing.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Even though I didn’t get the picture perfect home birth I thought I needed to help heal from the events of my first birth and even though the attending doctor was a nightmare, I feel great. This was my second child but my husband’s first and experiencing labor and birth with him by my side was so amazing. Is it too cheesy to say we fell in love all over again?
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Be informed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stand up for yourself. Assemble a supportive birth team that will be there for you.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I am normally a very quiet, stoic person but during this birth, I completely surrendered. I let myself be as loud as I wanted and I let the tears flow.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was surreal. After waiting and waiting, I couldn’t believe she was finally in my arms.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Claire, meaning “bright”, because when my husband and I separately made lists of names it was on both of our lists.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be informed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stand up for yourself. Assemble a supportive birth team that will be there for you.
