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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke on its own a few hours after being admitted (they were going to induce me that night due to my being "over due" and having incredibly low fluid levels). Once contractions began soon after, I realized I was going to be able to deliver my son without induction.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
In the middle I began to think that if these contractions were only medium intensity I would not be able to handle the strong ones at the end. A few times I caught myself wishing somone would come in and tell me I had to have a c-section just so it would be over. But on the end, I was able to handle the very strong contractions too.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I took a 12 week Bradley Method childbirth class and it helped prepare us for the stages of labor, coping strategies for me and helped my husband feel like a crucial part of the process. I also had both my mom and husband with me the entire time and their support was crucial to my ability to go natural.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How prepared I turned out to be to handle that much pain, and that it was much faster than I'd imagined (11 hours).
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Believe in your body. Trust your instincts. You can do this!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Vocalizations (my husband says I sounded like a prop engine) and changing position often (I used a birth ball, peanut ball, the toilet and got on my hands and knees).
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Classic/traditional semi-reclined on my back. (But I was using the peanut ball until right before crowning on my side.)
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible. And terrifying. Perfect. I also wondered if I was going to need corrective surgeries (i tore and had quite a bit of blood loss so he was covered in my blood when they handed him to me).
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in your body. Trust your instincts. You can do this!
