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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I woke up in the middle of the night with labor pains, which felt different than my normal contractions. Shorter after, I was certain I was in labor because my water broke! It really does feel like you peed yourself!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Avoiding pain medications for so long! I didn't think I would give in, but I was in labor and terrible pain for so long, with no end in sight! The most positive outcome that occurred from me getting the epidural was I believe I avoided other serious interventions and possibly a c-section. I avoided the epidural for about 17 1/2 hours and then I ended up getting one because I didn't think I could go on. My labor ended up being 26 hours.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Realize that countless women before me have gone through the same thing and practice birth affirmations. It also helped during labor to meditate on Jesus' suffering and know that he suffered much worse than me.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It surprised me that I had such a long labor (26 hours) when I did so much preparation. I drank red raspberry leaf tea nearly every day during the second and third trimesters, I exercised, ate dates every day from 36 weeks and did hip exercises, but I still had a longer labor than I imagined. However, I am confident that I can have shorter labors in future births and that I will be able to avoid pain medication.
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I thought my labor was going to be easy. Even though it was harder than I expected, I still have a positive attitude towards birth and hope that in future births I will be able to avoid the epidural.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Taking a hot shower with the shower head directed at my lower back and taking a warm bath, but the only problem with these strategies is once I got out, the pain returned with terrible intensity. I really wish I could have stayed in the shower, but the hospital didn't allow me to push there. Applying counter pressure to my lower back helped a lot too! My husband was great at this, but the nurse was the best. I also brought a rice sock with me that helped relieve my lower back pain when heated. Moving and walking around helped a little with the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering on my back since I got the epidural. The nurse said I could deliver on any position on the bed, but I couldn't move my legs properly with the anesthesia, so I stayed on my back. I was able to push our daughter out in 35 minutes!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt amazing to finally meet her and to hold her. That skin to skin helped us to bond!
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
It helped me to know what to expect. The class covered so much, so there weren't any surprises. I also had a positive attitude towards birth in general. I thought my labor was going to be easy. Even though it was harder than I expected, I still have a positive attitude towards birth and hope that in future births I will be able to avoid the epidural. I know that following births are easier than the first one and there are other strategies I can try next time to deal better with pain.
Sarah's Blog: http://www.healthbysarah.com/
