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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at 4am the morning before my baby was due. Contractions began 4 hours later, it was pretty evident!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I was planning a home birth, but ended up giving birth in a hospital via cesarean section. The challenging thing about going natural was not going natural in the end. (The back labor was pretty painful, too...)
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Talking to my midwife a lot and reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. It was SO helpful and gave a wide range of things to expect.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was shocked that the labor was so long and that it ended in a C-section. I never thought that would be me.
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Seek out support and do your research ahead of time so that you can be prepared for anything. Be prepared to be flexible and make decisions as they come up, having done research ahead of time in the event that things don't go according to plan. Also, be grateful for interventions when they are necessary.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Moving around and positioning helped a lot. Also, for back labor, having my husband rub my lower back with each contraction was a HUGE help. Primarily, though, it was finding a position that brought relief.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up laboring in a LOT of different positions, as we didn't make the call to go to a hospital until after I was fully dilated- leaning against the wall of a birthing tub, side laying, squatting, etc. I ended up in the hospital pushing for several hours on my back with my knees up, but ended up delivering via C-section.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was absolutely incredible. Tears of surgery fear instantly turn to more abundant tears of awe and love and being overwhelmed. What a beautiful thing.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Seek out support and do your research ahead of time so that you can be prepared for anything. Be prepared to be flexible and make decisions as they come up, having done research ahead of time in the event that things don't go according to plan. Also, be grateful for interventions when they are necessary.