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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Being as though I have a history of preterm labor and deliveries, I couldn't believe that a routine NST appointment turned into me being in active labor 6 weeks early!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Actually I wasn't able to go natural. I had complete placenta previa and although a cesarean section was scheduled, I went into labor weeks before that scheduled date.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Talking to Dr. Sarah Griffith, as well as my fiance Mark really helped prepare me mentally for childbirth being as though this was my very first time faced with delivering via c-section. Our conversations became more rapid and intense as the contracting grew stronger week after week. The two of them were awesome supporters throughout the entire pregnancy.
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What surprised you about your birth?
There were many surprises during birth because I had never been through a cesarean birth.... but the announcement of the EMERGENCY C-Section after being sent to triage due to contractions on the NST was the greatest surprise for myself, Mark and my Ob doctor. We all knew that she would come early but wasn't prepared for her to come that day. Another surprise was BabyJ having respiratory distress syndrome which landed her in the NICU for some time after birth. Thankfully she's home and healthy now being nursed and comforted by all of us.
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Natural is the best way to go!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing is a strategy that comforted me most during those painful contractions. Although with a cesarean, there is a spinal block that is placed during delivery.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I had never imagined that I would deliver BabyJ laying flat on an operating table..with my right arm stretched out attached to the blood pressure cuff the entire time.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Holding BabyJ for the first time was magical! I had prayed for that moment for a few days prior. I finally got the chance to hold and smell her 3 days after she was born.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Natural is the best way to go! It was unfortunate that my sixth time giving birth was in an emergency cesarean section, however my previous natural births were amazing and the healing process was much more rapid. The pain during natural birth is near unbearable but the almost immediate strength afterwards is undeniably the best gift.
