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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Friday afternoon (birth happened early Sunday morning)
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My labor was 35 hours, so I had mentally prepared for pain, but not for that length of time on no sleep. I was determined to have a natural birth, so the idea of pain medicine honestly never crossed my mind. I also knew it would be a challenge to give birth at a hospital and want no medical interventions, which was made more difficult by shift changes. I also got shingles a week before I went into labor, so the threat that I wouldn't be able to do skin to skin was looming, but I had amazing staff that covered me in tegaderm film, so I could still have the birth I wanted.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Took Bradley Method classes. Every birth is different, so the best way to prepare is to become well versed in all the possibilities. We had a few curve balls thrown our way (shingles, high blood pressure, LONG labor, double nuchal cord), and being knowledgeable about what step we were in and sticking to our birth plan, made it much easier.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How animalistic and savage pushing was. I pushed my son out in 45 minutes and instincts completely took over at that point. The grunts and noises I was making are sounds that I didn't know I could produce.
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Believe in yourself and educate yourself! I recommend Bradley Method classes, because it is 12 weeks of learning about what you are going to go through and how to handle those curve-balls that will inevitably happen. Create a birth plan and make your environment one you want to give birth in. It will be hard, but the reward is SO worth it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Moving around and trying lots of positions helped. I also jumped in the shower a lot to just let the hot water run down my body. We also made the hospital room as much of an oasis as we could- dim lights, pictures and happy thoughts hung around the room, music and/or ocean sounds playing in the background.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Side lying with legs held up.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There are no words to properly describe it, but I'll try. Unbelievable, sense of relief that he was finally here, SO IN LOVE, euphoric, surreal, amazed. It was the best moment of my life!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in yourself and educate yourself! I recommend Bradley Method classes, because it is 12 weeks of learning about what you are going to go through and how to handle those curve-balls that will inevitably happen. Create a birth plan and make your environment one you want to give birth in. It will be hard, but the reward is SO worth it!
