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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been feeling back pain the day prior but thought nothing of it. Around midnight I began realizing the pain was coming in waves. It then dawned on me this was back labor (I had been expecting uterine contractions). Once I realized this, I then began timing how far apart the contractions were - they were 3 minutes apart!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing was the weeks leading up to the actual day. As this was my first, I was worried I would be past my due date and would have to be induced... I ended up being 6 days early, which turned out to be wonderful since I wasn't expecting it at all.
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Birth-Pic
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I have a few things I found extremely helpful in preparation for natural childbirth... First, I would say following the homeopathic remedies such as taking evening primrose capsules and red raspberry leaf tea assisted greatly in preparing my body for labor. I also did chiropractic care leading up to the day as well as pelvic exercises. Second, the information in your Mama Natural book and online course prepared by my husband and me for the big day for what to expect. I wanted to mentally prepare as much as possible to give myself a realistic idea as to how the labor would go and ways to deal with the pain. And finally, third, I looked into the hypnobirthing breathing techniques. There were a few videos I referenced on YouTube for breathing through the contractions - both during early and active labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It was quicker than I had expected. By accepting the waves of contractions and letting my body do what it was designed to do, the pain became manageable for me. My pregnancy up to that point had been low-risk and I wanted to see if I could go all natural. As I was holding my daughter on the delivery bed, I was so proud of what I had accomplished and the fact that I trusted in the Lord through it all.
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It helped convince my husband that we could go natural! All the information presented in the class gave us a realistic expectation as to what to look for leading up to the day and how labor would progress. I was grateful we went natural and thankful for my husband for being by my side encouraging me the whole time.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I utilized hypnobirthing breathing techniques and hopped right in the tub as soon as we got to the natural birthing center.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I began the pushing process kneeling on the bed and leaning over a peanut ball. I was then told that my little one's heart rate was rising so they had me get on my back with my legs spread out to push.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt as if time had stopped. We were meeting our daughter for the first time after months of her growing inside my body. It was such an unreal experience.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
It helped convince my husband that we could go natural! All the information presented in the class gave us a realistic expectation as to what to look for leading up to the day and how labor would progress. Along with this, we were well equipped with pain management strategies that we could utilize should we need it. I ended up spending the majority of my early/active labor in the water. Looking back, I was grateful we went natural and thankful for my husband for being by my side encouraging me the whole time.
