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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was laying in bed and felt some achy surges in my lower stomach, it was about 4 am. By 10 am the surges weren't leaving and were regular and I knew I was in early labor. It wasn't until 10pm that night that my water broke and active labor started.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I went to the hospital in active labor and I knew from my previous births, that hospitals aren't very supportive of un medicated birth. The hospital I birthed at had no tub, no birthing stools, nothing. They also pushed drugs, monitoring and even csection to me. It was challenging.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Watching Mama Natural's birth course with Maura was extremely helpful to me. I knew the stages of labor, what to expect mentally and tips for labor like how to moan my baby out .
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What surprised you about your birth?
This was my 4th birth and I was hoping he would just slide right out, but he was actually my hardest to birth. I had a hard time getting his shoulders out. No two births are the same!
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Do your homework! Especially if you plan to do unmedicated birth in a hospital. You have to go in mentally prepared so you can make it to the finish line. Read positive peaceful birth stories, watch peaceful you tube videos and print up birth affirmations. Take Mama Natural's birth course - you will learn SO much!!!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
With my 3rd baby I was able to use a tub and that by far is the best pain relief when those contractions get intense. With this birth I didn't have a tub so I printed up birth affirmations and read them over and over leading up to my due date. In labor my sister, who was my doula, read then to me and it really helped keep me focused.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my left side with my chin to my chest and my spine rounded, holding my legs up behind my knees. Rounding my spine really helped him get out.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Love at first sight!!!! The best feeling in the world. So amazing! I keep reliving it over and over again. Unmedicated childbirth means all those feel good hormones are racing when you meet your baby and it feels divine.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do your homework! Especially if you plan to do unmedicated birth in a hospital. You have to go in mentally prepared so you can make it to the finish line. Read positive peaceful birth stories, watch peaceful you tube videos and print up birth affirmations. Take Mama Natural's birth course- you will learn SO much!!!
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
Mama Natural's birth course helped me tremendously. It really went in depth with explaining the stages of birth and what goes on with our body as it progresses through labor from early labor to transition to pushing and the after birth. When I was in the midst of crowning and pushing I was actually able to remember tips from the classes and stay calm and relax to help baby navigate my pelvis. I learned so much from Maura and Genevieve and it helped me have my unmedicated 4th childbirth!
