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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was in bed with my husband, it was 10:40 and I realized I hadn’t brushed my teeth so I was getting out of bed- and felt a leaking sensation. So I dived off the bed and jumped to the bathroom. Then my water broke in a dramatic movie-style gush onto the bathroom floor.
Then we both laughed and said, “guess we aren’t getting much sleep tonight.”
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly, setting up a space for the birth pool in our basement apartment. We set aside a day to move furniture, clean and set up. Everything else was a breeze.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Being a total birth nerd. 😂 I’ve been studying childbirth alongside my mama since she first decided to have a home birth. She had books and magazines that I looked at when I was younger and she actually teaches birth courses for friends and family.
I took a very in-depth birth/postpartum course that was very helpful, and read Mama Natural’s awesome book!
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What surprised you about your birth?
How much I slept while in actual labor! My contractions didn’t get super intense until around 3 am, so I slept fairly normally from 11:30ish until then. Then after I had gotten comfortable again in the pool I had a ton of little catnaps between contractions- even up until I felt the urge to push!
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Get your partner involved! They can help more than we think!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and my husband and mama’s loving touches. I also prayed but it was always just in my heart and head.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It is THE best feeling. I was so surprised by his hair and how long he was- I loved holding his little hand.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
We went for a unique and unconventional name from a book character. It felt right the more we said it- because my husband had mentioned it initially kinda as a joke. The meanings of the words it is based off mean “rock” and “head man” so it felt fitting for our oldest child.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Start preparing well beforehand- if you can, before you even get that positive pregnancy test. Pick out your power/relaxation music, practice your breathing, and learn everything you can! It helps, trust me. And get your partner involved! They can help more than we think!
