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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The only labor I experienced was the Braxton Hicks. Because I had to have a c-section I didn't experience labor this time with my second birth.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about NOT going natural would be that my body doesn't dilate and cervix stays hard to prevent me from having a vaginal birth so a natural c-section was my way to go.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading up on a gentle c-section so I didn't have to have the same traumatizing unexpected experience I had with the birth of my daughter which was an emergency c-section after learning I don't dilate.
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What surprised you about your birth?
This time, it was exactly what I expected. Gentle and pretty close to what I expected going in. A few things weren't able to be done like having him put on my chest when he was taken out of my stomach because of the small space but they did bring him to my face and Dad was with him immediately after birth. Also, Baby Jack was with me the whole time but with the birth of my daughter, I had to be put to sleep because I wasn't able to have a spinal with my platelet level being too low so I didn't get to see her until I woke up 8 hours later. ;( Jack latched on right away and being able to experience that immediate bond was a feeling of "thank God" I got this experience for my last pregnancy.
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When they pulled my son out and held him up, I was so happy to have experienced seeing him right when he was born- so many emotions of joy were happening.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing, praying, positive thoughts
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What position did you end up delivering in?
C-section
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
With my daughter, after waking up after 8 hours of being asleep, touching my deflated belly, to asking where my baby was the nurse said we're waiting to test her blood sugar because it was low then they would bring her in. I started to cry, being disoriented not understanding what was going on and learning how much time had gone by I just wanted to meet my daughter. My fiance said just bring her in and test her sugar in here is when I finally met my daughter. With watery eyes and tears dripping on her sweet little face, I was overjoyed to finally meet her and check her all out!
My second birth to my son; After watching the clock and hearing my Dr say it's almost time...when they pulled him out and held him up, I was so happy to have experienced seeing him right when he was born so many emotions of joy were happening. Seeing my fiance release my hand to wrap his arms around our son, is a memory that will forever be stored in my brain.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be open, prepared, to expect other options in case a "natural vaginal" birth doesn't go as planned.
