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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at 10:30 Friday morning so I knew it was coming, but my contractions were not at all predictable or strong. By 6:00 that evening though, there was no denying it!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I wanted to have one of those "scream free" gentle births. I had done so much reading and mental prep, prenatal yoga, even taught my husband to remind me to relax into sensation.
I didn't. I screamed bloody murder. But you know what? Still did it!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Prenatal yoga was amazing for me, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It gave me the space to connect with my body and my baby all through my pregnancy, and gave me invaluable tools for my birth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I wasn't expecting to give birth in the traditional on-my-back, legs in the air position, but turned out that's what was most comfortable at the time. And like I mentioned, I screamed a lot more than I thought I would!
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You can do this! You are so much stronger than you think you are. Just when you think you can't do it anymore, you're almost there. You and your baby birth together. You've got this.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through and the warm water of the birthing tub. Oh, that water.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back, legs in the air, TV-style. Didn't think I would do that!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relief. Awesome. Amazing. Pride. Disbelief. Incredible.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do this! You are so much stronger than you think you are. Just when you think you can't do it anymore, you're almost there. You and your baby birth together. You've got this.
