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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I got to the hospital!!! I had a slow leak to my water starting right when I woke up but didn't realize that's what it was. I went to work and when it didn't stop called by doctor who told me to get checked at the hospital. When the nurse checked me it all came gushing out! Looks like we are having a baby!!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Deciding. I was very nervous to commit since I had epidurals with my first two children, but once I did my brain became calm about the decision and I was able to strategize and think positively about what was coming.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Read natural birth stories on this website! I collected the ideas that spoke to me and shared them with my husband who wound up being a spectacular labor buddy.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How it started. I had planned to labor at home until "it wasn't funny anymore" but didn't get to labor at home at all! I thought going naturally was going to be impossible being at the hospital so long, but I was so relaxed when I was admitted that I was able to really make a plan with my doctor and nurses that everyone stuck to. By the time things got hard I had gotten to feel at home in the hospital.
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Don't think of it as a long process but as a series of small steps. Don't think "oh my good I have 5cm to go" instead think "let's do one more contraction".
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Staying calm and positioning myself in ways to let my body go limp in between contractions. I spoke very little and almost appeared as though I were sleeping in between contractions. When things started to get really hard, the hot shower was magic! I lit up, I told my husband and nurse "you guys need to come in here! This is the best thing ever!"
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back. The last half hour was rough. My arms and legs went numb and I couldn't unclench my hands so I was not able to move. The sensation was so strange that I was able to concentrate on it for the first half of each contraction before I needed to face the pain of the contraction.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the most overwhelming rush of love and happiness I have ever felt! I think I repeated "I love you! I love you! I love you!" A hundred times before I could get any other words out.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! Commit to your decision and read other stories like crazy! Talk about what you think will work with your partner and express your wishes to your medical staff. Don't think of it as a long process but as a series of small steps. I'm a runner. When I'm tired I never think "oh god I have x miles left", I think " get the that driveway, ok now get to that mailbox". Labor is the same way. Don't think "oh my good I have 5cm to go" instead think "let's do one more contraction".
