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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke in the middle of the night and my contractions started 10 minutes later - at 5 minutes apart!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Your mental game - it's best to prepare as much as you can for a natural birth, so you can feel mentally strong and ready for labor. My labor was intense and fast, which was great, but I didn't have much of a break in between and things were intense from start to finish. I needed to stay mentally strong to keep going.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Have an awesome doula! They are your pain management and are so knowledgeable - you can relax when they are there, knowing they will do everything they can to help you get through.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It was fast and furious! And while that was really tough, I probably prefer it that way! It's over quicker! It's just tough to handle the intensity. This was my second birth, so I thought I would feel more able to handle it the second time around, but it really just reminded me how hard the contractions are when they started!
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You can do it! Just make sure to surround yourself with natural birth stories before, and be familiar with how a natural birth could be. Get a doula, they are worth every penny!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I felt like I could only be on all 4's. No other position felt comfortable. I leaned on a birthing ball while I was still at home. My doula did pressure points on my low back which felt great.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
All 4's!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing. Such relief. Love. Empowering.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! Just make sure to surround yourself with natural birth stories before, and be familiar with how a natural birth could be. Get a doula, they are worth every penny!
