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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up with, what I thought was, cramps that morning. Shortly after I realized, as they were coming and going, that they were contractions! I progressed quickly and thought, here we go!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The unknown! I knew I wanted to go natural, no chemicals, hormones or medication. But how to make a plan?... when would it happen? How long will it take? How much would it hurt? What if? Yikes!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Education! Gaining information, asking questions and talking to others. Knowing my natural options and the benefits helped my stick to a healthy plan :)
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quick it went actually. Woke up cramping at 5:30 am, went to the hospital at 10:30 and met my little one at 12:20!
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Fill yourself with knowledge. Know the benefits of going natural. We all have the strength to make it through this, for the health of ourselves and our babies.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Mental focus, pushing through it step by step and with the ultimate goal in mind, my healthy baby. Each contraction I leaned over a birthing ball, it's what my body wanted to do.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying on my back, pulling my knees up. Not my plan, but with the pain of contractions and focusing on that, I just ended up where the nursing staff urged me to go.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Oh my, amazing! I felt accomplishment, joy, happiness, love and success. I waited so long for her and made it through so much, my precious little angel :)
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Fill yourself with knowledge. Know the benefits of going natural. We all have the strength to make it through this, for the health of ourselves and our babies.
