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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At a doctor's appointment they had me hooked up to a monitor because baby Finnegan was stubborn and waiting to make his grand appearance. The monitor showed contractions - I personally did not feel them for a few hours after that.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Back labor after my water broke.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Mindfulness training and accepting that my birth plan was a loose guideline as the baby would provide the real birth plan.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Pulling the baby the rest of the way out of me with encouragement of the midwife and nurses.
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It's very doable if you do not think of it in a big picture framework but rather getting through the next few minutes or the next contraction or the next push.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Focusing on breathing through the contraction I was in and not thinking about the long game - but rather making it through just the next contraction.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back with two nurses holding my legs.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I do not have words.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
It's very doable if you do not think of it in a big picture framework but rather getting through the next few minutes or the next contraction or the next push.
