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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was saturday night, after midnight, when I realized it wasn't Braxton Hicks contractions but the real thing. I started to time my contractions and they were about 8 minutes apart and continued that way until the next morning. I told my husband to start cooking a big meal just in case, he made really good spaghetti. All throughout that day, Sunday my contractions would range from 5 to 10 minutes apart, and from 5 pm to 7 pm, they were 4-5 minutes apart and i told my husband to text our midwife to head on over.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was knowing that I had made a promise to myself and my baby that we could do this, all natural, with no medication involved. And because of that, I became scared that I may not be able to do this. It was a mental thing for sure. I kept telling myself that i am strong. We can do this.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing was my husband and I took the Bradley method classes which helped so much! My husband was an awesome coach because of it and we knew to just remain calm and be in-sync with our baby.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised of how loud I could actually scream... or growl...and of how strong our bodies actually are!
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You can do this. YOU can do this. You CAN do this. You are strong and you are capable. Your baby will come out so aware and so alert. Our bodies are able to give birth naturally and because of that, you will be ok.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Remaining calm, rocking motions on my yoga ball, support from my husband, having him massage and put pressure on my lower back all seemed to help. The top strategy was talking about our daughter and how soon she will be here.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered in my bedroom, in a pool of water, facing forward on my knees.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
The feeling is indescribable. The most freeing feeling, to be able to hold this person that was growing inside me for almost 10 months, the way God created this human in the darkness of my womb. She was finally here and she is beautiful.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do this. YOU can do this. You CAN do this. You are strong and you are capable. Your baby will come out so aware and so alert. Our bodies are able to give birth naturally and because of that, you will be ok.
