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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor around 8PM the day before I gave birth. I had been having contractions all day long but they weren't strong and they were about 30 minutes apart. I tried to go to bed at 8pm but couldn't fall asleep because the contractions were getting stronger. I started timing them and they were already 4 minutes apart and 1 minute long.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was not having much support. A lot of people laughed at me and told me their horrific birthing stories (tearing, bleeding, emergency c-sections). It seemed like no one had a good experience.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I took wonderful birthing classes at my birthing centre. My midwife was very reassuring. Watching birth stories on YouTube helped as well.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It did not go at all as planned. I envisioned specifically how it would go and nothing happened the way I thought it would.
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Trust your body. Talk to your partner about your wishes before birth and try to connect during birth.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Very low, moaning (I've been told cow-like) noises and labouring in the tub.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Emergency c-section.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It had been such a long, difficult labor and I was so stressed out about breastfeeding that those first few moments weren't as special as they should have been. It took a couple of days for me to start to come to terms with my birth and bond with my baby.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body. Talk to your partner about your wishes before birth and try to connect during birth.
