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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Honestly, I was in denial that I was in actual labor until I hit transition, about an hour before she was born! But I realized I was having consistent contractions I believed were another day of prodromal labor while in the children’s hospital ER with my toddler getting stitches.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my second birth and it was much faster than I anticipated. Because of the circumstances and how quickly she came, I felt very out of control and was having anxiety.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Practice breathing and reciting mantras to myself.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Everything! Haha. Like I said, I was in the ER with my 2.75yr old who needed stitches in her face when I started having surges every 5 min. We were rushing to help our daughter and run AWAY from the hospital and get home before the baby was born - she arrived 1.5hrs after we got home, my midwife only arrived 20 min before the baby did!
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Prepare your mind as much as possible for any type of labor - you can foil anything for one minute at a time. Breathe. Release. And feel the love and strength you have within you.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing, movement, low morning sounds, and reciting mantras to myself. Finally was able to get into a birth tub 1/3 full to birth her, and the water felt amazing. Truly wish I was able to be in there longer!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal.... she was born in the water, eyes open, I pulled her up between my legs myself and she just stared at me. Quiet. Didn’t want to cry. Just stared at me with her big blue eyes. I will never forget that moment.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Gwendolyn Faye- it had just resonated with us. The name came to me one day and I said it to my husband and he said absolutely, that’s her name. And it fits her perfectly.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare your mind as much as possible for any type of labor - you can foil anything for one minute at a time. Breathe. Release. And feel the love and strength you have within you.
