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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The previous two days I lost my mucus plug so I knew labor was near. It was 1:30 in the morning and my youngest son was not sleeping well so I took him to the couch to lay down, he was still fussy so I stood up and my water broke. My previous labors they always had to break my water so this was all really new to me.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My contractions were not picking up so they started me on pitocin. Trying to breathe through the contractions and not tense up my body when the contractions were really intense was the hardest.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
This was our fifth child so I had a good idea what to expect, however, every birth is so different. Having read several books for training to be a doula, practicing deep breathing, relaxing my body so the contractions could do what they needed to, remembering to take one contraction at a time and also memorizing several scriptures to repeat and praying through contractions is what helped me the most. I also used my birth ball to sit on frequently in my second half of my pregnancy and drinking red raspberry leaf tea often.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It always amazes me how different every labor experience is. The baby stayed posterior so I had back labor the whole time. I was starting to feel a lot of pressure but I was only 5cm. The midwife took me to the bathtub to try to relax more as the contractions were really intense, she informed me they can't do water births though. I got on my hands and knees in the tub and the baby turned and only 5 contractions later from when I got in the tub and I ended up with my first water birth and the midwives first water birth haha ?
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No matter how intense labor may be, you will never regret your decision to go natural! Know that you can do it, your body was created to be able to birth your baby.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Deep breathing and not tensing up my body so the contractions could work better and faster as well as Prayer and scripture.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my knees leaning over the edge of the tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was an overwhelming sense of relief knowing labor was finally over. Looking at her beautiful perfect little body knowing she was finally in our arms, truly the most magical feeling ever!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
No matter how intense labor may be, you will never regret your decision to go natural! Know that you can do it, your body was created to be able to birth your baby. Don't be overwhelmed by the whole of labor, take one contraction at a time and remember to breathe and do not tense up your body!
