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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I finally let myself believe I was really in labor around 1:30 am Thursday when contractions were coming about 2 mins apart and I felt a lot of intense downward pressure with each contraction. I started having mild contractions the evening before (Wednesday) around 7 pm and ctx were about 7 mins apart. They didn’t start to feel intensely painful until 2:30 - 3:00 am.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This time, the hardest part was the concentrated intensity that came with the fast active labor. Also, my baby was very active throughout labor, and his movements were very painful for me. My midwives were reassuring that his movements were good - they meant he was rotating to get into the best position. Since he’s my fourth baby, I had the head knowledge and awareness that when there’s that intensity and panicky feeling, baby is soon to follow, but it didn’t make it easy to endure by any means.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Haha - have three other natural births - two of them at home - before this baby! I’m a doula and childbirth educator and my training, experience assisting in the birthing space, and all of the advice I’ve given to other moms I just turned and directed at myself.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was! My other active labors were at least 6-7 hours. This one was maybe 3 hours and I was surprised at how the intensity was ramped up to fit all of that dilation and descent into a shorter period of time. I literally felt myself making progress with each contraction!
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Relief, shock and bliss all wrapped up into one indescribably wonderful feeling of instant love!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Deep abdominal breathing throughout each contraction, setting up atmosphere just the way I waned (wood fire in the fireplace, peaceful Christmas music, Christmas tree lights on, two dear friends here, my husband nearby, and two trusted certified nurse midwives.. being safe and snug in my own home where I could control all of the variables took a lot of the fear-induced pain away.
The last hour was managed by trusting the birth process and my care providers, and knowing that it was almost over.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Asymmetrical sitting/floating in a birth tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relief, shock and bliss all wrapped up into one indescribably wonderful feeling of instant love!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Stay home, only have people who support natural birth in the birth space. And by support I mean will actually support you in some way - emotionally, mentally, physically.
