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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was under pressure by the doctor to be induced as my baby was 5 days over due. We were panicked about trying to naturally induce before we had to go fight medically inducing. I had been having contractions frequently but not strong enough until one night I couldn't sleep or talk through the pain and we knew it was time!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The cord was wrapped around my sons neck so I wasn't able to get up and move. I have to sit in a reclined position for the entire 14 hour labor with the exception of being aloud to try the tub for about 20 minutes before I had to get out again due to dropping heart rate. Having to endure pain without being able to move to relieve some of it, while being worried about my sons heart rate was probably the hardest part.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I prepared for knowing it was going to hurt, but it was a temporary hurt that was for my child in the long run. Mentally preparing was the biggest help.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It didn't go anything like I had imagined. It was rough and I wasn't calm and serene. I made some sounds that I didn't think could come from me, but that was my best way to cope at that point. However, while it wasn't easy to have a natural birth lying in a bed, I know that it is completely doable and not impossible.
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You can! Things don't always go well but if I can make it through a natural labor while laying still in a hospital bed then anyone can do it! The pain is worth it and the baby does so much better being unmedicated.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I wasn't really allowed to do anything to relieve my pain in the typical ways since every time I moved my sons heart rate went down. But my husband helped by talking about something completely different while I had contractions. It helped keep my mind off of the pain. All I had to do was breathe and listen to what he was talking about.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
When I got the urge to push I just went for it, I didn't let the nurse know first. She got the doctor as quick as possible and I delivered lying in the hospital bed. Not my first choice but it was needed at the time. The doctor got to cord from around my sons neck as he came out.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was like being handed a trophy. All the work and pain was gone and there was a littler person that I made inside my body. It was the amazing feeling.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can! Things don't always go well but if I can make it through a natural labor while laying still in a hospital bed then anyone can do it! The pain is worth it and the baby does so much better being unmedicated.
