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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had lots of prodromal labor starting about a week before baby arrived, it started feeling like it was the real thing when my contractions woke me up at 5 am.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It was tiring because it was a long labor and I spent around 12 hours at 8 + cm. I was fairly certain there was no way I would have such a long labor with my 2nd childbirth however it was very similar to my 1st in that from check in at the hospital to baby arrival 22 hours. This labor I arrived at the hospital at 6 cm 100% effaced apparently my labors take the slow/steady approach.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hiring a doula, and taking a hypnobirth class
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What surprised you about your birth?
That it took as long as my 1st, and how much prodromal labor I had.
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Hire a doula and take a natural child birth class. Most hospital classes teach you how to be a "good patient" so make sure to take a class outside the hospital that can focus on what you want your birth experience to be.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Doula used aromatherapy and pressure points/massage to help me through contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my side.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Wonderful, relief she was finally here.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Remember it is a guess date not due date, both my pregnancies went past 40 weeks. My 1st born was 40 wk 5 days and my 2nd was 41 wk 1 day. Hire a doula and take a natural child birth class. Most hospital classes teach you how to be a "good patient" so make sure to take a class outside the hospital that can focus on what you want your birth experience to be.