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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was really in labor when my contractions went from sporadic to consistent after two hours of prodromal labor. When they were consistent for a whole hour and didn't slow down when I changed positions then I knew it was the real deal.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was handling the contractions when they were really strong and painful.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did to prepare for childbirth was exercise and eat right. I didn't exercise before pregnancy and didn't start until I was 18-20 weeks along. I started slow and then tried to walk 12 miles a week throughout the rest of my pregnancy. I also did squats and bounced on my exercise ball regularly. I drank red raspberry leaf tea and I believe that helped as well.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The thing that surprised me most about my birth was how fast it was. My first labor was 32.5 hours long and this one was only 5.5 hours!
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Other mamas who want to go natural should absolutely do it! Both times were such amazing, empowering experiences for me. My advice would be to try and be as healthy as possible. Being in better health the second time made the pregnancy and labor easier because I had more energy.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
What worked best was breathing through contractions and moaning. My midwife kept reminding me that the more intense and painful the contraction, the faster my baby would be in my arms. I tried to stay vertical and not horizontal to keep labor going at a steady pace and not slow down.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered in a kneeling position. Before she started exiting the birth canal I was on all fours.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I felt an instant connection with my baby the first time I held her. It was just as beautiful as with my first daughter, whom I I also had natural at home in the water.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Other mamas who want to go natural should absolutely do it! Both times were such amazing, empowering experiences for me. My advice would be to try and be as healthy as possible. Being in better health the second time made the pregnancy and labor easier because I had more energy.
