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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was in denial from 9pm-1pm the next day. My husband made me go to the doctor because of how much pain I was in. I was only have back and tailbone pain, and I thought my back just went out and was having spasms. I had contractions every 10 minutes from 9pm on through the night, I just didn't think they could be the real thing since they were just in my back and they weren't getting super-close. When my midwife told me I was dilated to an 8, then I had to mentally prepare myself that I was having my baby that day.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Once I was admitted to the hospital dilated to an 8, I didn't progress at all from 3pm-9pm. My midwife kept pushing me to use pitocin, which I finally gave in to having. I just wanted my body to do what it was supposed to do.
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unknown
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Education--reading, watching videos, and listening to other moms tell me I could do it naturally.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The last push, he came out really fast. I heard that I would have to push a couple times to get his whole body out, but when it was time for him to be out, it was smooth!
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The last push, he came out really fast. I heard that I would have to push a couple times to get his whole body out, but when it was time for him to be out, it was smooth!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The tub helped for a couple hours.
Every time I would have a contraction, I would mentally tell myself to relax. EVERY TIME. It was really hard because of the terrible pain, but I would go into this calm place, be silent, and focus.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
The typical position that doctors want you to give birth--almost on my back. I tried other positions, but he wasn't coming.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I just remember relief. I really didn't know what to think, how to feel, just complete satisfaction that I did it.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
The pain you experience is such a small amount of time in the grand scheme of your life! Advice is pretty general and simple:
1) Educate--know as much as you can.
2) Be ok if things don't go "as planned"
3) When the pain comes, focus on relaxing your body, even though it's the last thing your body wants!
Know it's ok if you end up not going naturally. I understand why most women don't--because it's NOT easy!
