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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions started on September 8th around midnight. I remember the strongest one was at 2am. I slept on the couch that night, my husbands snoring plus discomfort was frustrating. I didn't sleep well on the couch either because of the on and off contractions. I knew they weren't the real thing because it was one every hour or two. All day Friday I was so tired because I didn't sleep well Thursday night. So I wanted to go to bed early Friday, 9pm rolled around and I told my husband I was going to bed, super excited to get some sleep. I laid down at 9pm, and instantly I had three contractions 5mins apart. I just knew this was real. I wasn't in excessive pain, but something told me this was it. I was right!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing was deciding when to take a warm bath/shower. I knew it would relieve the pain, but I didn't want to 'spoil' myself with a shower too soon! The most challenging thing physically when passing the baby through the birth canal. The ring of fire is real!
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baby
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Seeing a chiropractor, prenatal yoga and eating a healthy diet. The birth center I attended also offered many birthing classes and birth education classes. I took them all! Keeping a peaceful mind and knowing that my body can handle this and was made for childbirth was key!
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What surprised you about your birth?
Contractions surprised me. I was truly blessed a birth I could handle. I really expected contractions to be more painful. But the most surprising thing was what pushing felt like. My body didn't need my mind. I was going to push that baby out with or without me, so crazy!
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I wrote affirmations that really spoke to me on pieces of paper and taped them all over the house. As I labored at home, I would walk around the house and read them. They really helped. With each contraction I told myself to open up. "Just open, OOOOOOOOPEN, up". I visualized a flower opening.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Leaning forward made it impossible to tighten my bottom floor. I labored mostly in the leaning forward position either standing or sitting on a birth ball. But, the most pain relief I experienced was in the shower! I took a shower 6-7 hrs into the labor. The shower took all of the pain away! Incredible! I stayed in the shower until all of the hot water ran out, about 30mins. I knew when they were starting but couldn't feel the normal contraction pain. To my surprise, I must have gotten in the shower during my transition period. When I got out of the shower I was pushing!!!!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I started pushing at home! Yikes! My husband drove 80mph and didn't stop at any lights at 6am all the way to the birth center which was 15mins away. I was pushing the whole way there. The midwifes had the tub filled for me. I was undressing on the way in, which isn't my personality. I jumped in the tub, pushed one more time and my water broke. 30mins later the baby was out! I delivered in the bath tub, laying on my back and knees up. It was an amazing water birth!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There is no other feeling like it! I wasn't sure if I would cry... I wasn't sure how I would feel! But it was amazement and disbelief. I was so happy to hold her. Plus, we didn't know the gender, so it was exciting to finally figure out what she was! It was just so cool to think I grew her inside of me. I was fascinated and in awe. The love I feel for her has grown with each passing day. Babies, and birth, are a true blessing.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself and memorize positive affirmations to help you hang in there. Because you CAN do it!
I wrote affirmations that really spoke to me on pieces of paper and taped them all over the house. As I labored at home, I would walk around the house and read them. They really helped. With each contraction I told myself to open up. "Just open, OOOOOOOOPEN, up". I visualized a flower opening.
