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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At sunrise. I'd gotten up to use the bathroom and when I climbed back into bed and laid back down my braxtons that were oh so common at this point were 'different'. More intense. I smiled into my pillow and thought "This is it! Today is his day." I started timing contractions as I watched the pink and gold sun rise and watched my chickens go about the start of their day. Then woke up my husband. :-)
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Nothing challenging for me about going natural so much as convincing friends and family a home birth was the way to go. This was my 3rd baby and my first home birth.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Listen to my gut instinct and to my midwife.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Feeling him move down as I breathed! It was incredibly encouraging. And then I was able to push him earthside in only 7min!!!
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Trust your body. You were made for this.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Letting go and allowing the contractions to do their thing. Every one brought him closer to me and I focused on that.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Side lying in our bed. I had torn pretty bad during my last birth (natural hospital VBAC) so in trying to avoid that again decided on side lying instead of squatting.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Euphoric. That's the best word for it. It's incredibly amazing and empowering.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body. You were made for this.
