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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was a good thing my mother in law was there to tell me that I was indeed having contractions, as they felt different than I expected! At first I just described a dull pain.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Slow labor!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I stayed active through my pregnancy, with lots of squats and yoga ball work. I also did acro yoga!
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What surprised you about your birth?
When i finally reached 10cm, i still had to wait and move to get baby in a better position.
Husband and I had agreed beforehand that we didn't want a mirror, but the midwife suggested it would help, so I tried it and it did in fact help!
Baby came out wide eyed and gorgeous. Everyone was shocked that she weighed 8.49 lbs, and I had only gained 18!
Doctors recommended IV antibiotics to prevent infection in my uterus since they had to manually extract my large placenta. Husband insisted i get them. I really regret that! I wish I had known in advance that they would do that, so I could have been better researched and prepared to say no. I declined the hep b, eyedrops and vitamin k shot (i used drops instead) for baby.
Another thing I wished I was prepared for is how many times people would bother me overnight in the hospital. I only slept a few hours and didn't even have time to shower!
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Do not rush going into labor and avoid pitocin!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Laughing gas helped take the edge off.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I would describe as "frog on it's back"
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Mindblowingly amazing! And I was relieved she latched quickly :)
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do not rush going into labor and avoid pitocin!
