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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had to be induced due to low amniotic fluid levels, so about an hour after the cervidil was in place.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
After 17 hours of labor and no sleep for 32 hours, I was struggling to hold myself up during contractions and felt like I was going to pass out or fall. Since I was induced, I had to be hooked up to monitors and IVs the whole time so my positions were very limited.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Give myself a break and remind myself that I am not a failure if I need pain medicine (I ended up getting an epidural after 17 hours)
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I had to be induced and was in labor for 33 hours and at one point almost had to have a c-section. And that once I saw her beautiful face I didn't care about any of that.
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Pray that you don't have to be induced! Neither my baby or my body was ready for birth-they had to force her out!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I got to take a shower at one point and hardly felt any contractions while the water was on me. Also distraction. My husband, mom, and I played cards for a little while.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Inclined in the bed, legs in stirrups.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Totally surreal and amazing.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Pray that you don't have to be induced! Neither my baby or my body was ready for birth-they had to force her out!
