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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It felt so different from my first labor that I was not convinced it wasn't just another stomach bug. So I guess when I really realized it was happening was when the midwife checked me and told me I was at 9.5 cm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The hardest decision was making my mind up to do it in the first place. I wanted to give birth at the birth center and I knew in order to do that I was giving up and option of pain killers even if I changed my mind when the time came. In the end things were going so fast I really didn't have a choice once labor had started I would have had a natural birth regardless of what I wanted to begin with.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Building my music playlist. Having music that made me both feel like I could take on the world as well as lose myself in was essential to my ability to stay completely relaxed through contractions.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Its speed. Or maybe the fact that it was happening at all. I didn't believe I was actually in labor but my husband figured it out was timing my pains, called the midwife and convinced me to go in. I was lucky he did.
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If you want a natural birth put yourself in a position that going natural is the easiest option before hand so when the time comes so your not focused on how you have to avoid everything instead your just focused on getting through each contraction.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Music and my midwifes magic hands, and my husbands calm and supportive presences. She did some sort of massage on my lower back I think and it helped so much. My husbands constant presence and reassurance helped me stay relaxed and focused.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my hands and knees. It was not the plan but once I ended up there I was not moving.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Wonderful. I was so relieved to have him in my arms and to be done.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
RELAX! Contractions hurt far less and are way more effective if you are relaxed so find what makes you the most relaxed and attempt to replicate that when you are in labor. I would also say that if you want a natural birth put yourself in a position that going natural is the easiest option before hand so when the time comes so your not focused on how you have to avoid everything instead your just focused on getting thorough each contraction. A really fast labor also helps, no time to get a epidural when your already pushing.
