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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When my water broke!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Once I was 8cm dilated, the contractions became so intense that it became difficult for me to relax my body through them and it took a much longer time to get from 8cm-10cm.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading positive birth affirmations helped me personally. I would recite them to myself in my head while going through labor when I was mentally exhausted and struggling. I also came across a blog where a woman said she envisioned her contractions as waves of the ocean bringing her baby closer and closer to her arms. With every contractions I would envision a wave and it heloed my body to relax.
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What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me most about birth is that I enjoyed the pushing stage the most. I was so physically exhausted yet there I was still giving it my all with control and mental clarity. You feel the ring of fire and you know you are that much closer to holding your child. It is really happening, your body is incredible, this moment is all you. It's such a rush!
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The amount of love and emotion that overcomes your mind and body is honestly indescribable.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Before my water broke my husband and I actually went to a local store and walked around just browsing and killing time. Once back home, I used my birthing ball to bounce and rock. After my water broke and the contractions become increasingly intense and we had arrived at the hospital, walking and bouncing aggravated me. We also tried the tub and I couldn't get comfortable (too narrow). What seemed to work for me at that point was sitting upright on the edge of the hospital bed. As a contraction would start, I would take my husband's hand and hold the rail of the bed with my other hand and slowly sway side to side with a low mumbled humming sound. It's just something my body naturally did.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
After trying a few different positions, my mid wife and I settled on the traditional back delivery.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Unbelievably amazing. The amount of love and emotion that overcomes your mind and body is honestly indescribable.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Talk to other women who have gone natural and ask them what their decision making process in going natural was and any tips they may have! Talk to a doula, a midwife. Get support. And definitely surround yourself with positive people who support your decision of a natural birth.
