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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at 2:00 in the middle of the night with pretty firm contractions. They were coming what I thought was every 30 minutes apart. When my husband woke up to my stirring about, he convinced me that we should time them and then call my midwife. The were actually coming every 10 minutes on the dot, and lasting for two minutes!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me natural has been my only option! I'm terrified of drugs and needles. I also don't like going to a place full of sickness to deliver such tender little babies! 6 of our 7 children have been born at home. Even though I had a natural hospital birth with my first the staff never followed my birth plan. They had their own agenda from the moment we walked in the hospital door. Sadly my first birth which could have been beautiful was traumatic for me. So the challenge was to be calm about having home births when for me figuring out when I'm in actual labor is difficult. My body doesn't go by the books! I usually have contractions that are light and close together in the beginning. But spacing out so far it seems as if they almost stop when I hit transition. My midwife barely made it for a couple births, and my husband had to deliver one baby on his own!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read lots of books and articles about child birth. I have learned to work with my body and relax into the contractions. Also, I have particular trouble with after pains. So this time around I stocked up on valerian tincture, "After Pain Relief" from Mountain Meadow Herbs, and a heating pad! It was a success! Being well prepared is wonderful! The pain wasn't nearly as bad!
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What surprised you about your birth?
This birth was pretty different from my others. The contractions never got any closer than 10 minutes apart until I went in to transition! I was surprised that It was already time to push!
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Be mentally and physically prepared! Both are equally important! Birth is tough work!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Relaxation and deep slow breathing
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting up, slightly on my side.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
She's here! We really need to get cleaned up!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be mentally and physically prepared! Both are equally important! Birth is tough work!
