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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At 36 weeks I went to the ER with bleeding and cramping. Two of my previous pregnancies ended with miscarriage, so I was quite concerned. Turns out my baby was just fine and I was experiencing prodromal labor. Every night until 40 weeks I felt as though I was going into labor, but around 2 AM the contractions would slowly fade away. Being this would be my 3rd baby, you would think I would know what “real” labor felt like! I realized I was finally in labor when I caught myself starting to push. Thank heavens my husband had already called the midwife.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The hardest part for this labor was waiting to see if my prodromal labor would turn into “real” labor and the sleepless nights that came with.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Prayer and scripture writing helped me prepare the most. Every evening (after 36wks) when I would start feeling cramps, I would give my fears over to God. And then I would read scripture. It helped me feel peace and removed my tension.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My contractions never got closer then 5 minutes apart. And between them, I didn’t feel like I was in labor at all. I couldn’t stop thanking God for being so merciful. After I had gotten into the birth tub, my midwife handed a flashlight to my husband and asked if he could see our baby’s head. We all laughed at the absurdity... two contractions later, my baby was in my arms. Guess my midwife knew what she was talking about!
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Have faith! Birth is a natural process and you CAN do this. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and brush off those naysayers!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I did have back labor and so I asked my sweet husband to press as hard as he could into my lower back. What a relief when he did! Also reminding myself to stay loose and telling myself to “open” helped.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was such a relief! I was so ready to hold her. My 40 weeks if pregnancy felt like a lifetime. Finally, my beautiful rainbow baby was in my arms! I was overwhelmed with gratefulness that the Lord blessed us with another sweet girl after the loss of our boy, Moses.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Elise Joy is the name my husband and I chose. I’m not sure why we chose Elise. My husband and I had a hard time talking about my pregnancy until I could feel the baby move. I think that’s just how we tried to distance ourselves in case we lost this baby. We didn’t even talk names. But much later into pregnancy we chose the middle name, Joy, to express our delight in another daughter.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Have faith! Birth is a natural process and you CAN do this. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and brush off those nay sayers!
