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When did you realize you were really in labor?
On my way home from work I noticed a couple contractions and started timing them as soon as I got home. They were between 10 and 15 minutes apart. I tried relaxing and went to bed around 9 pm. When I woke up around 11:30 my contractions were now every 5 minutes apart. I knew at that point it was go time.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Deciding when to leave for the hospital. I was determined to stay home as long as possible in order to avoid any pressure from the hospital staff. Luckily my doula knew when I absolutely needed to leave and I arrived complete and ready to push.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read a lot of VBAC birth stories and joined a couple support groups that helped me believe in myself and my ability to birth my baby.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I did not expect my labor to go as quickly as it did. As a VBAC who never completely dilated with my first I expected to progress slowly.
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Holding my baby for the first time was so amazing. I felt so empowered and was flooded with joy. My first birth left me feeling broken and this birth restored my belief in my body. I kept telling my husband, "I did it! I really did it!"
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I switched between laboring in the tub and using the shower head directly on my back. When I wasn't using water, I used the birthing ball with my husband applying counter pressure to my back.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on my back as baby was coming fast once I got to the hospital. I pushed through about 5 contractions and she arrived within 30 minutes.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Holding my baby for the first time was so amazing. I felt so empowered and was flooded with joy. My first birth left me feeling broken and this birth restored my belief in my body. I kept telling my husband, "I did it! I really did it!"
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The Mama Natural Birth Class helped my husband and I to have a better understanding of childbirth and have confidence in our decisions. We had a better understanding of what to expect. We also found the pain coping techniques to be useful and my husband had more confidence in his ability to be the support I needed.
