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When did you realize you were really in labor?
This is an interesting question because I "realized" I was in labor a little late.......On my due date I started having false contractions. This went on for two days and I was reading all these stories of women who had these kind of contraction for weeks so I thought I was going to be one of these mamas, but I went to spinningbabies.com to try and help start labor. So two days after my due date I couldn't sleep so I started doing some exercises from spinningbabies.com and I went for a walk outside and contractions started to pick up. So I went inside to lay down to see if the contractions would stop but I was still having quite a few. Then I thought water is always a good tell tell sign if someone is in "labor" so I got in the shower and the contractions started to slow down and were more erratic. Then I thought this isn't the real deal and I got out of the shower to try and get some sleep. Well as soon as I got out and put clothes I realized it was the real deal and we better go to the hospital now or else we were having a home birth. We got to the hospital and I got to meet our little one 15 minutes later.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Two things were hard for me this time around....
1. Not preparing: This was my third and I thought "oh I got this whole natural thing in the bag" so I didn't prepare, practice breathing and relaxation techniques, and I didn't hire a doula. I didn't hire a doula because I am a doula so I could just doula myself or somehow make my husband the doula.....doesn't work! Everyone should have a doula, even doulas!
2. I always have a hard time waiting for the special day. It is hard for me not being able to plan when I get to meet my little one. I have never been induced but I get so cross and antsy when my guess date nears. Next time around I don't want anyone to tell me my guess date lol.
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Thatcher
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Exercising and watching birth videos and reading birth stories!
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What surprised you about your birth?
False contractions/ Prodromal Labor. With my first two, I knew it was the big day when my Braxton Hicks turned to real contractions. With this one I would have strong contractions along with Braxton Hicks Contractions and was surprised when actual "labor" started.
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So awesome! I love hearing their little cries and feeling their warm skin to my skin!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Putting my birthing ball in the tub to sit on and letting the warm shower water hit me.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting in the hospital bed with my knees bent. I really wanted to squat and deliver but felt so uncomfortable and as soon as I sat down he came right out.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
So awesome! I love hearing their little cries and feeling their warm skin to my skin!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
1. Hire a Doula!
2. Prepare! Practice the techniques you are going to use.
3. Watch and read about natural births
4. Have a birth plan
5. If you are delivering in a hospital don't show up to soon. It was really nice being able to show up and just have a baby. I didn't even have to get an IV put in :)
6. Remember you and you baby are doing this together
6. Know YOU can do it and your body can do amazing things!!!! MOMs rock!
