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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up around 3am and I was having some contractions and they were very different from the Braxton Hicks I had been getting through out the middle/end of my pregnancy. I got out of bed at 3:30am to move around and see if they would subside but that didn't happen!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my 3rd birth and all my labors and births have been very different. My 1st was a c-section and a very traumatic experience. My 2nd was a beautiful natural VBAC at a birth center which truly healed me. This birth was amazing also but very difficult. She was in a terrible position and it was causing me not to progress after many hours of painful labor. They were thinking I may need a c-section but my midwife said let's get an epidural. I think this will calm your muscles and you will progress and she was right! Within 10 minutes of getting the epidural I went from barley 4 cm to 9.5 cm and i was able to deliver her no c-section needed! It wasn't what I planned but it was still everything I could have hoped for.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I think for me it was a lot of mental preparation reminding myself to take it one contraction at a time.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Well I didn't think I would end up with an epidural! Especially since my last birth was all natural but it proves there is a time and place for everything and intervention can be beneficial when needed.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I found rocking back and forth helped me and changing positions often helped. Don't be afraid to move around and try different things.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying down
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was incredible! I was so thankful she was in my arms after a long difficult labor, heart beat fluctuations, and almost having a c-section I was relieved and thankful.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Remember that it's about taking each contraction one step at a time and surrendering to the amazing process your body is going through.
