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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About two hours before I had a baby!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Having done it once before, I missed being naive about how things progress. The first time, everything was new to me and I took it as it came. This time I was nervous just knowing what lie ahead of me. Going natural is still far less scary to me than hospital intervention, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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IMG_1652
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I didn't prepare much this time. My husband and I attended an outstanding class the first time around, but our birth went nothing like how they described the average birth. So, I just winged it this time. All births are different, and that's why I had my three amazing midwives, my mother, and my husband to support me no matter what happened. I don't think you can prepare.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised when I went from contractions that were 8 minutes apart to suddenly only 2 minutes apart. I was surprised that I felt like pushing so soon. I was surprised pushing felt so different on the second baby. I was surprised when she was coming so fast that I was still sitting on the toilet when her head popped out! I was surprised that I had her in our bathroom floor because we were preparing for a water birth. I was surprised I had her before the midwives arrived (although their VERY capable student arrived 4 mins before the baby was born). I was surprised my labor was only 3 hours. Everything was a surprise!
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Do it for you, but do it for the health of your baby. It's hard, but it's survivable. Just do it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I tried several things we learned in our birth class, but I didn't feel they worked for me. Eventually, I found that just breathing correctly and focusing on not clenching my teeth or making high-pitched noises (since doing these things tightens up the lady bits as well) was best for me. I started off making low sounds but found that doing "horse lips" was the most helpful and calming.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Hands and knees
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was far more magical on baby number two. I was so stunned I had a baby with number one that I couldn't comprehend anything and felt very overwhelmed. Now knowing what a baby was, I was able to enjoy her and look at her and cuddle her. It was much calmer this time.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Just do it. You're made for this. You're not made for intervention. You're not made to skip out on the natural processes because that's where the magic is. That's where the hormones fly and your body is doing what it's supposed to in order to get your baby here. That's how the bond happens and breastfeeding is made easier. Interventions all come with side effects, but natural birth is much gentler on mother and baby, and the healing process is much easier. Do it for you, but do it for the health of your baby. It's hard, but it's survivable. Just do it!
