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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After 8 boring hours on a pit drip I asked my midwife to check my cervix and do a sweep. 15 minutes after that I finally started having real contractions that were exactly like I remembered from my first birth!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly I didn't feel challenged per se because not using pain meds was what I decided was best for me and I really wanted to do it so I did! It definitely helped that everything went smoothly and quickly and I never felt like contractions were not manageable. I really felt aware and in control for the 2 hours of actual labor and 9 minutes of pushing!
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IMG_7526
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
First thing was to choose a midwifery practice within a baby friendly hospital: best of both worlds. I read extensively, listened to The Birth Hour podcast, visualized my ideal birthing experience and ate dates.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How short it was! My first was 12 hours so I thought that I'd likely have a shorter birth but then again I decided to induce at 41 weeks with pitocin so I didn't know what that would do exactly.
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Educate yourself. Be determined. Hire the right care provider. But also hold everything with an open hand because birth is wild and you really never know what will happen!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing in my nose and out my mouth like a runner would, swaying back and forth, a hot bath felt nice, and during the hardest part having counter pressure on my hips, a hot washcloth on my butt and reminding myself that I was SO close to meeting my baby.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Modified hands and knees draped over a cool blow up birthing stool thing (I forget what it was called!)
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
HIGH
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself. Be determined. Hire the right care provider. But also hold everything with an open hand because birth is wild and you really never know what will happen!
