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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had just woke up on a early Saturday morning and got up to use the restroom when I felt a familiar small gush. I went to the bathroom and waited to feel the gush again, confirming what I already knew... My water had broke.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Trusting that I could actually do it. I hadn't accomplished my goal of an unmedicated birth with my first and ended up with a string of interventions resulting in a difficult delivery.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
A lot of education on how birth works and how to prepare for it. I was also working toward my doula certification, so that was helpful. Also, prenatal yoga played a big part in helping me relax.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It had been about 9 hours since my water had broke, I had already had time to travel an hour away to the birth center to start receiving my antibiotic for being GBS postive, walk around some trails, have lunch and return for a second dose of medication. My contractions were very mild and just barely starting to line up. After hooking up to the breast pump for about 20 minutes my contractions were 3 to 5 minutes apart but still fairly mild. We decided to have my first cervical check. We were all surprised when my midwife exclaimed "Girl, you are at a 7!"
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My contractions were 3 to 5 minutes apart but still fairly mild. We decided to have my first cervical check. We were all surprised when my midwife exclaimed "Girl, you are at a 7!"
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I loved the tub, once I got in I didn't get out until after my baby was born. Before that, just being able to move and change positions a lot helped.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered on hands and knees in water.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing! We had waited to find out the sex so getting to be the first ones to look and announce was a lot of fun.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself and really trust your body and baby.
