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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had contractions consistently 10 minutes apart for 20 hours, but they quickly became 5 minutes apart. We waited 2 hours then went to the hospital.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had to be in the bed for monitoring 20 minutes out of the hour so it interrupted my rhythm of movement.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Every 30 minutes I was able to move around, I rotated between variations of squatting, standing, kneeling and sitting.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I never doubted myself! I thought I would be in much more pain, but between movement and deep breathing it was actually manageable!
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I never doubted myself! I thought I would be in much more pain, but between movement and deep breathing it was actually manageable!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Movement and breathing!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
It happened so fast that unfortunately I ended up on my back. I love working out so I was looking forward to pushing, but it ended up being my least favorite part of labor because it felt so unnatural. Luckily it only took four contractions to enter my baby into the world!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was crying and laughing at the same time! Most wonderful feeling! She was so perfect!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Start preparing your body early on. Stay fit, stretch often, use Mama Natural and Brownroots Baby for motivation/education and train your mind to believe in yourself! Don't leave room to doubt yourself!
