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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I started having contractions about 6:30pm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
With this labor, the contractions were very close together and very intense. I had "survived" back labor with my first and thought this one would be easier. When I went in and was only at 3cm, I worried that it would be long and difficult to make it through without medication.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reviewing the Bradley method and relaxing tools like deep breaths and visualizing where the pain isn't that we used with our first was very helpful.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how intense the contractions were. They were totally different than the back labor I had with my first.
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I've done it twice now and I really swear by Bradley and a good prenatal yoga/relaxation tool. Deep breathing and distracting your brain from where the pain is can go a long way to getting you through it. It's also really helpful (and part of the Bradley method) to learn about each stage of labor so you can understand what is happening in your body and what the baby is doing. Have faith in your body and know that it was meant to do this.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
One of my favorite Bradley tools is to focus on where the pain isn't. So with each contraction, I would open and close my fingers and toes to focus my attention there and away from my flaming hips.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Despite wanting to try squatting and other positions, I ended up staying still on my back because it was the easiest position to stay in with the contractions so close together and the pain so intense in my hips. I would just breathe and try to relax for the short periods in between.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was so awesome to hold her for the first time. I let her decide if she wanted to find my breast, which she didn't right away so we just cuddled and enjoyed each other.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I've done it twice now and I really swear by Bradley and a good prenatal yoga/relaxation tool. Deep breathing and distracting your brain from where the pain is can go a long way to getting you through it. It's also really helpful (and part of the Bradley method) to learn about each stage of labor so you can understand what is happening in your body and what the baby is doing. Have faith in your body and know that it was meant to do this.