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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When my water broke at 28 weeks.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I was having a micropreemie (my son was less than 2.5 lbs) and doctors usually want to do c-sections. My doula, a wonderful friend, helped keep me calm and helped me navigate nurses and doctors to ensure that if there was any possibility of a natural, vaginal birth- that they knew I would prefer that.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I didn't have time to prepare. I never made it to a single birthing class. My first one was s he filed for 32 weeks gestation.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How early my son was born. He ended up being born a week after my water broke. I was on hospital bedrest in between. I was also surprised my how I instinctively knew what to do during labor. I meditated and used a lot of visuals to help with the pain.
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I didn't hold my baby until he was 2 days old and when I finally got hold him- it was magical and scary. He felt so fragile in my arms and I felt so responsible.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Visualizing laying in burning hot sand and then running into the cool ocean during my contractions. I knew it was getting close to being time to push when there was only burning sand and no cool ocean.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Side/back.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I didn't hold my baby until he was 2 days old and when I finally got hold him- it was magical and scary. He felt so fragile in my arms and I felt so responsible.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You definitely have it in you. Trust your body. Trust your husband, midwife, doula- whoever you have in the room- trust them. Don't let anything or anyone distract you. Your labor may look completely different than your friends so don't compare. Do you, mama.
