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When did you realize you were really in labor?
This was my third birth and it was 11 PM the day before my due date. My previous two births were at 38 weeks and so I felt like I had been waiting and waiting for this labor to start. I had some cramping on and off as I had throughout the previous weeks, but nothing even remotely regular. But then I felt a “thunk” and when I stood up I was shocked to realize my water broke!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My second labor (my first VBAC) was an 8 hour natural labor followed by 4 hours of pushing. I was really scared going into this labor because I knew how hard it was and I didn’t know if I could do it again. The entire 45 minute drive to the hospital I kept planning on how I was going to ask for an epidural as soon as we got to the hospital. I had no idea I was already in transition and would have my daughter only 40 minutes after arriving at the hospital!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I drank red raspberry leaf tea, ate dates every day, and worked out most of my pregnancy. But for me, the number one most helpful thing I did to prepare was read as many birth stories as I could get my hands on! I find them empowering and incredibly comforting.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was! I had heard the third babies come fast, but this was only my second vaginal birth and it was completely different than my first! After my water broke, I was totally in denial that I was in labor. But my water broke at 12 AM and my daughter was born at 1:52 AM. The hospital was a 45-minute drive. If my husband had not insisted on us leaving (my Midwife didn’t answer the phone because she was busy delivering two other babies!), my daughter would have been born in the car. During the drive, I could feel her moving down and was starting to panic. When we got to the triage and the midwife checked me, I was disappointed to find out I was only 6 cm dilated. But one monster contraction later I was complete and we were rushed to a room. I was in complete shock when my daughter was placed on my chest only minutes after we had gotten into a room! Pure bliss!
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Do your research! You need to be in the most supportive environment you can find in order to be successful.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being on my hands and knees, doing the “horse lips” when breathing out to keep my mouth relaxed, keeping my moans low, and LOTS of counter pressure.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Kind of sitting up on my side, holding my own legs. Prior to this I was on my knees but when I flipped on my side things went much quicker!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing. I couldn’t believe she was a she (we were convinced we were having a boy!) and I couldn’t believe I had had a completely intervention-free VBAC (my first VBAC I ended up with an epidural while I was pushing).
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Read lots of encouraging birth stories, have a supportive birth team (a midwife for sure). If you want to have a VBAC, find a supportive hospital, a good midwife, and a doula if necessary! Do your research! You need to be in the most supportive environment you can find in order to be successful.
