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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was timing my contractions. Once they started they progressed steadily. This was my longest labor at 6 hours, but definitely my easiest.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not knowing what would happen.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Read and reread, watched and rewatched EVERYTHING!!!
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What surprised you about your birth?
How easy it was. Within five minutes of the worst contractions, my little princess was out in two contractions without pushing.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMM. Hypnobirthing technique. Last two weeks before delivery, chiropractor. Definitely having my husband and my wonderful second mother there to remind me to breathe in through the nose out through the mouth. Dark environment with jasmine candles. Several warm showers during labor. Using the exercise ball. Sort of belly dancing my way through the pain, swaying my hips and what not. Warm water birth
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was kneeling in the pool, which is the position I wanted to deliver in.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I couldn't actually hold her right away because the cord was REALLY short so it took some rotating and weird positioning to get her up and positioned to breast feed. My husband had to catch her because she went towards my back instead of towards my front for me to pull her out of the water.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Just do it. This was my third pregnancy, first at home with a water birth, and I wish I could go back and do it the first two times. My first pregnancy was alright, but I had no idea what I was doing. I was scared and uninformed. Both of my first labors were short, 3-4 hours, but I was forced to stay on the bed, so I was just screaming in pain. Because of the pain, epidural. I was laying on my back and had perineal tear. My second hospital birth was just the worst experience of my life. I do not want to relive it, but I told my husband when we found out we were pregnant with our third, that I was doing it at home, and I was doing it my way. Our fourth and possibly our last child will be born at home!
This pregnancy:
Water Birth
Unassisted - my husband wanted a midwife, but ehn
Born on due date
An absolute amazing experience.
Aurélia Nicasia
August 9, 2016
8lbs 7oz