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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I'd been in early labor for about 24hrs (which started after walking around Walmart with my mom) before things kicked off enough for me to realize that I may be in labor for real. I still questioned it up until about 2 hours before transition, despite having been losing bits of my plug the past couple of days, and a gradually increasing bloody show. It just wasn't that hard to manage. I labored at home as long as my mom and baby's father would let me; there had been bad weather all day and another set of severe storms were about to roll in and they didn't want to be trying to drive to the hospital in bad weather. Party poopers, no sense of adventure! Haha
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had very intense back labor. Even though baby Jacob was not posterior, I had ridiculously harsh back labor. I couldn't describe a frontal aka "normal contraction" if I had to. I have an old back injury that may have been the culprit. Whatever the reason, it felt like my back was snapping in half with each surge. Ouch!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Prayed! I prayed very hard for my baby and my birth throughout my pregnancy. I also prepared myself by watching natural birth videos, reading books and online forums, making and reciting birth affirmations, drinking my daily red raspberry leaf tea, did some stretches, and of course reading all the Mama Natural articles and watching all the Mama Natural videos! Just getting in a positive, confident mindset helped tremendously, as well as being educated about the birth process and common interventions the hospital staff will try to push. I do have to say that my L&D nurses were incredible, as was the doctor on call, which was great because my OB was very condescending and dismissive of my birth plan.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How smoothly it went! I didn't even realize it was truly labor until late into the game. Once the contractions got to where I was consciously focusing to get through them, it was time to push. I think I missed transition! I never felt the sudden shift into the "black hole" of transition that so many women describe. It happened so quickly, even my OB was shocked. As a first time mom I went from 5cm to pushing in 45mins, my water breaking unassisted somewhere around 9cm, and I only pushed for 13 minutes. The most amazing part was the fact I never truly pushed. I just breathed deeply, relaxed, let my body take over, and my fetal ejection reflex took over. That was the most amazing experience in my entire life! I truly enjoyed my birth experience, I look back on it with fondness, it was FUN! I can't wait to do it again! God truly blessed me, all the glory belongs to Him!
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You can do it! It's the most amazing experience. Educate yourself, and have a good support system. Even if you have to have a hospital birth, don't be discouraged, it can be done. Just educate yourself and be your own advocate.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Laboring in the shower! My hospital didn't have tubs, although I hated being in the tub while I was laboring at home. The hot water was great on my back, and the shower had a bench and handrail that allowed me to sit, squat, lean, and whatever else felt best!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering on my back. When I was laboring outside of the shower, I was either walking or on all fours. Delivering on my back wasn't my first choice, but ultimately it wasn't super challenging.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Such an indescribable mixture of feelings. Overwhelming love, relief, joy, pride, so many things. The first thing I said and kept saying was "I did it! I really did it!"
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! It's the most amazing experience. Educate yourself, and have a good support system. Even if you have to have a hospital birth, don't be discouraged, it can be done. Just educate yourself and be your own advocate.
