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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I took a bath and laid down hoping to calm the early labor contractions enough to sleep. Instead they got even more painful and began coming very close together.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The beginning of active labor was the most difficult for me. I had terrible back labor and the sudden intensity of labor when I was tired and hoping to sleep was overwhelming.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did was choosing a doula I was completely comfortable with and a midwife that I trusted completely.
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What surprised you about your birth?
When I began to feel the urge to push, I reached inside to see if I could feel my baby's head. Instead of a head, I felt what seemed to be a hand. My midwife immediately gave me a full check. My baby had flipped to breech in the last 30-60 minutes of labor! I had to transfer from home to a hospital. I ended up with a C-section as my daughter had both her feet down (double footling breech) and had the cord wrapped around her neck.
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Get a doula! They can be a costly out-of-pocket expense, but the difference for pain management it huge.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
'Singing' with low tones and the tub.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up with an urgent C Section. I had no prior interventions, but my baby had changed position and it was not safe to attempt a vaginal delivery.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was almost surreal. I couldn't believe I was finally holding her!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Get a doula! They can be a costly out-of-pocket expense, but the difference for pain management it huge.
