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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke in the grocery store at 5pm. Contractions didn't start until about an hour later and I was feeling pretty good until about 7:30pm when we left for the hospital. She was born shortly after we arrived at 8:46pm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not knowing how long I would be dealing with the pain.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I didn't have any plans or expectations about how it needed to go. I knew what I wanted, but wasn't going to be upset if things didn't end up going that way. A healthy baby into this world was the only goal.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went. My contractions were 3 minutes apart when we arrived at the hospital, but I was only 4.5cm dilated. Within 20 minutes, though, I was fully dilated and she arrived about 3 pushes later, less than 4 hours after my water broke. It was over so fast the doctor missed it.
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Yes, the pain is as bad as you can imagine, but it's not unendurable. Focus on your precious baby and breathe. You can do it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing. It seems obvious, but I kept wanting to hold my breath through the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I reached down and pulled her out. It was amazing.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Yes, the pain is as bad as you can imagine, but it's not unendurable. Focus on your precious baby and breathe. You can do it.
