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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor at about 3pm (12 hours before he was born!)
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural... honestly i don't know. It was painful at times but it was amazing. The contractions intensified after my water broke and that was challenging. I'd say the most challenging was when my midwife said "you can push now", I was like I don't know how to push! But with a few coaching tips from my doula and midwife I was good to go.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hiring a doula, reading birth stories, watching the business of being born (on Netflix), educating myself on what having a natural child birth is like and how it's different for every woman really helped me prepare. I was excited to experience it for myself.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Hmm.. I'd say what surprised me the most was the breaks between contractions. The contraction would come and it was painful but then it would leave and I'd be able to talk and smile and sip some water.
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You can do it! Trust your body, we're made to do this. Read positive birth stories, ignore the people who try to scare you. Pick a hospital or delivery center that supports natural birth. Write down positive affirmations, trust yourself.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Getting in the tub! And breathing, breathing, breathing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back, legs pushing against peaoples hands.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing. It felt so surreal! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! Trust your body, we're made to do this. Read positive birth stories, ignore the people who try to scare you. Pick a hospital or delivery center that supports natural birth. Write down positive affirmations, trust yourself.
