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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At 7:30, Thursday morning, August 24.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my 6th delivery and I have had some health challenges between my last and this delivery and so the fear of not knowing how those would effect me weighed on me.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did a little of everything I could do. Being 41 this time around and eight years since my last delivery, I knew I needed to do everything in my power to make this a good one. I walked, prayed, took herbs, did some stretching, ate dates, red raspberry leaf tea. I think the most helpful thing I did though was take a leap of faith that I could have a quick/painless childbirth and my husband and I prayed many times for that. I knew I wouldn't survive a long arduous labor. Even in the doubt, I believe God rewarded what little faith I had.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was! Two hours from start to finish and it only took 3-4 pushes to push him out.
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God was merciful to me to give me what I could handle. I am grateful. And I am joyful to have this little bundle of boy to nurture. A new beginning for me.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
It went too fast to try anything! But My white couch seemed to be the only place I could find any comfort. Tried the bed, walking, on all fours. The brand new couch (to my husbands chagrin :) was the only place that the position and pressure was just right. That's where I delivered where my midwives arrived only twenty minutes before! They arrived just in time to catch the baby!:)
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Standing up - he was also born in the bag. A little bit of a rarity I was told.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Accomplishment, joy, awe, surprise (didn't know whether boy/girl), relief, gratefulness. Soaking in the moment.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I don't really like to give advice. I could say pray and take a step of faith, but your situation will be different from mine. But I do know that God rewarded what little faith I had and that all the little things added up. God was merciful to me to give me what I could handle. I am grateful. And I am joyful to have this little bundle of boy to nurture. A new beginning for me.
I would like to say that Genevieve, you and your resources encouraged me through this. I was reminded about The book Supernatural Childbirth from you and I listened to Childbirth in the glory for a couple months before and it brought a peace I didn't expect during prelabor contractions I had for a few nights before actual labor. Thanks so much for walking this journey with me, you were a Godsend.
