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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Leaving a checkup I started having a new sensation. The nurse checked the monitors and told me that I was having contractions. I asked to be unhooked so I could go home and labor there for as long as I could.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The actual birth wasn't as bad as I expected. The most challenging thing was the reactions people gave me. "It's going to hurt really bad!" Well duh! If I'm dubbing myself intelligent enough to have a child I certainly think I'm intelligent enough to realize that passing a human through my birth canal is going to be painful.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Absolutely hands down reading countless birth stories! The hospital, drug free, almost interfeirance-free birth stories were mo focus!
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What surprised you about your birth?
How soon it was over. 9 hours was shorter than I expected being that it was my first (and only)
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You CAN do it. That absurdly has to be your mind set. If someone is negative just tell them you can and you will do it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The bathtub for sure!!! Unfortunately I was only able to utilize this while I labored at home. Once I got to the hospital I didn't have water as an option.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back ):
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Just incredible. It was a giant relief. Terrifying, I remember thinking, "Oh my, that was the hardest thing I've ever done. I just delivered a baby. Now here she is and I realize that was the easy part."
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You CAN do it. That absurdly has to be your mind set. If someone is negative just tell them you can and you will do it. I'm a huge crybaby and everyone my husband included thought I would give in but I never wanted or asked for the epidural. You can do it and you will. Get lots of support even if it's from faceless people online. There are cheerleaders out there for you just find them!!!!! Prepare for pain but know you CAN master it!
