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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke during my afternoon walk at work, but I was in denial about what had happened. I decided to finish my work day, and when I started to experience back labor on my drive home I knew that something different was going on from my everyday Braxton Hicks waves.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Standing my ground in the face of so much negative talk from others. I work in the medical field and was shocked st every nurse and doctor telling me my goal of natural child birth was impossible and foolish. It took an investment in a more positive vocal community to balance that out.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I made sure my labor took box was diverse so that if one thing wasn't working, I could use something else. I thought movement and being active was going to be the most important thing for me, and came prepared with a birth ball, thera bands, and a yoga mat. Those elements of pain relief turned out to be less useful, and so I moved on to another category.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quickly time passed. It really didn't feel like 15 hours.
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It's possible. Prepare a diverse set of tools and know that the plan can change. Find a medical team that will support your choices, and a partner who will be as present or not present as you need.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Counting to ten with controlled breathing, my list of birth mantras I repeated out loud and in my head, and warm compresses on my back.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back holding my lwgs
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Peaceful. Everything I had done to get there was gone, and it was all her moving forward.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
It's possible. Prepare a diverse set of tools and know that the plan can change. Find a medical team that will support your choices, and a partner who will be as present or not present as you need.
