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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke and not long after I started having contractions. Not having felt any contractions with my first, I wasn't sure what they would feel like but I knew I was really in labor when they were consistent and not stopping.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Having to fight the system each step of the way. It seems like most doctors and nurses always want to do "routine" procedures and things that they don't even think to get consent for because everyone just seems to go along with it.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Research, research, research! I read so many books and blogs and watched so many videos to try and prepare me for what birth was going to be like. I tried to surround myself with positive birth stories to help me believe this was something my body was made to do, that I could do this.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I got third degree tears despite doing everything I thought was right to avoid tearing and how much it hurt to birth the placenta!
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I enjoyed wrapping my arms around my husbands neck to hang whenever a contraction would hit and wished I had a rope tied to a strong beam to use because I felt bad putting all my weight on him.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I enjoyed wrapping my arms around my husbands neck to hang whenever a contraction would hit and wished I had a rope tied to a strong beam to use because I felt bad putting all my weight on him. I also had a pool set up with warm water and my husband would apply pressure to my lower back to help with the pain there as well. Surprisingly, the birthing ball we bought did not work for me. I did not like the feeling of anything pushing against that area of my body. I definitely didn't want to be sitting...on anything!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering in a squatting position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Like I had finally gotten my prize for all my hard work!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Remember: your body was made to do this. Trust it. It knows what to do. Do not be afraid of the pain and you will be able to cope so much more easily. During labor, just try to take each contraction one at a time and think "there, I did it...that wasn't so bad" and before you know it, you'll be holding your new baby :)
