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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had light contractions after being checked at the birth center, but I could breathe through them. I felt okay for about a day and a half, but they started getting more and more intense after 2 days. I knew baby was coming, but didn't know when!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The amount of time I went through contractions. I barely slept for 3 nights while I went through contractions until she arrived!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I didn't realize I did this, but the most helpful thing I did was include my husband in the entire process. He was at all classes and appointments with me. After days of no sleep and contractions, I begged my husband to just 'take me to the hospital, and give me all of the drugs!' He (nicely) reminded me why we chose a natural birth and told me I was strong enough to finish out this process. This was definitely the most helpful thing during labor!!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised as to how long I had intense contractions before being dilated enough to be admitted at the birth center. Afterwards they told me my baby was turned a bit which probably was why I wasn't progressing quickly. But in the end, the midwives reminded me that my body was doing just what it needed to. It took 40 (well, in my case, 41) weeks to create the baby, so a mere 3 days is normal for my body to prepare to deliver!
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I begged my husband to just 'take me to the hospital, and give me all of the drugs!' He (nicely) reminded me why we chose a natural birth and told me I was strong enough to finish out this process.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Just breathing through the contractions and holding my husbands hands helped me through. When I was closer to 9cm, the midwives applied counter pressure on my back which helped as well.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering on my back, my husband holding 1 leg and the midwife holding the other, while I was basically in a 'crunch' position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Once my baby came out, it was silent. I immediately started yelling, 'my baby! My baby!!' But then I said, 'why isn't there crying?? Why is it quiet??' The midwives told me, 'Baby is fine, Katie. Look, baby is just looking around!' Our baby was so alert and calm, just taking in this new world she had entered. They placed baby on my chest, and that's when we turned baby on its side and my husband announced it was a girl! It was the most surreal moment of having been in such intense 'pain' and using so much energy through hours of pushing, and then it all ended abruptly! And she was here!!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Make sure you're prepared mentally for a long labor and make sure your partner is on board. I knew labor could be long, but never did I expect to have contractions for 3 days! If there's a 'next time' for me, I will be much more mentally prepare for the long haul of labor! Big thanks to my husband who didn't miss a contraction with me for all 3 of those days!!
