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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After my water broke I knew I was in labor. I was on the toilet and I felt a pop and then a gush. About 2 hours after that contractions started.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pushing stage. Contractions combined with the pressure, stretching, and burning is not fun.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
To prepare for this child birth I did a lot of reading up on home births. This was my first home birth. It helped that this was my second natural child birth so I knew what to expect.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised how fast it was and how my body knew exactly what to do.
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Research, talk to other moms, read, and educate yourself. Knowing what to expect and knowing ways to deal with the pain is not only empowering but also a great way to prepare yourself. You can do this. Your body was made for it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being in a birth pool and being able to move to whatever position I felt comfortable in helped relieve some of the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on my knees.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt so amazing! We found out her gender after she was born so it was really incredible to not only hold the baby I was waiting to meet but also to find out it she was a boy or a girl.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Research, talk to other moms, read, and educate yourself. Knowing what to expect and knowing ways to deal with the pain is not only empowering but also a great way to prepare yourself. You can do this. Your body was made for it.
