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When did you realize you were really in labor?
A few hours before I gave birth! I was having birthing waves for about 24 hours but they weren’t strong enough until the very end for me to know it was the real deal!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Staying calm and relaxed. I found that breathing with my mouth open during birthing waves (ahhhhh) and pushing with my mouth open helped immensely.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
This was my second natural birth so since I had done it before I wasn’t nervous at all, but Ina May’s Guide to childbirth had so many great tips that I used this time around.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went towards the end and how different it was compared to my first birth.
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Keep telling yourself that you can do it and that each wave brings you closer to meeting your baby!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and relaxing my mouth and body.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my side in a squat position
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Heaven on earth, love at first sight, euphoria, etc.!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Keep telling yourself that you can do it and that each wave brings you closer to meeting your baby! Having a support person besides your partner (I had my mom) or a doula helps a lot.
