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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions started lightly at 11 PM. They were only about every 40 minutes but I was not able to sleep once the first one started. I kind of had an inkling already than that I was in labor. Because I had never had Braxton Hicks with any of my Pregnancies, this was my third. The contractions started to get heavier at about 4 AM and that is when I called my midwife to come.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It was actually rather easy because I knew there was nothing available for me here at home. Had I been in the hospital I probably would've asked for an epidural about half an hour before he was born. That is the reason I wanted a home birth , because I knew I would ask for interventions in the hospital and I absolutely did not want any.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I think the most helpful thing I did was birth affirmations and rereading my hypno birthing book
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What surprised you about your birth?
That my water didn't break. Part of the sack came out and my midwife asked if I wanted her to break it. I said absolutely because there was so much pressure. She believes that had she not broke my water he probably would have been born in the water sack, she could hardly break it.
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Start early in training your mind and body in preparation for labor. Birth affirmations actually work wonders and so does training your body to practice what it will be like to go through labor and deliver.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having my husband lightly rub my back and having him to lean into when contractions got intense. Having that support there was the best pain relief. The tub was wonderful but my contractions completely stopped so I was not able to have a home water birth, but everything went great having my son born right in his room.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my hands and knees. Once labor got intense I used my birthing ball to lean on, then my husband. My midwife suggested I lean back on my husband, almost in his lap but that aggitated me. I went up on my hands and knees and he was born about ten minutes later!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It sounds so cliché but it is just pure bliss. I had all this intense pain and completely forgot all of it in an instant because he was right there in my arms, all squishy and puffy and adorable!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Start early in training your mind and body in preparation for labor. Birth affirmations actually work wonders and so does training your body to practice what it will be like to go through labor and deliver.
