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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had lots of Braxton Hicks contractions all throughout my pregnancy, and on her due date I had what I thought were BH all day and all evening. They were painless. When they didn't let up after a bath, resting, and drinking lots of water, I started to get suspicious that something was happening. That was around 11:30 pm. I prayed that things would not progress until we could get the kids off to school in the morning. I had painless but increasingly intense contractions all night long, but I was able to rest. My husband took the kids to school and we called the midwife a few hours later.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Consciously making myself relax during the last few contractions before pushing...those were becoming intense, but when I did, they weren't as painful and I could feel my cervix opening each time.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I filled my ears and eyes with only positive birth stories, I listened to Childbirth in the Glory by Janet Angela Mills, I listened to Supernatural Choldbirth by Jackie Mize, I took Kierra Blaser's Kingdom Childbirth class and watched all her YouTube videos and listened to her podcast (A Heavenly Welcome). I spoke scripture over myself, the baby, and the birth daily. I walked about an hour every day and I drank red raspberry leaf tea from 28 weeks on.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It seemed so fast- although I had been laboring for several hours overnight. we got to the hospital at 10:30 am and I was 6 cm dilated, and she was born at 12:34 pm. There was no pain except for the last few contractions before pushing. I found the pushing to be uncomfortable but it was a very short stage.
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Prepare yourself physically and mentally during your pregnancy. Guard your mind and mouth from negativity. Trust your body!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Turing my worship music up VERY loud in my earbuds and picturing Jesus wrapping his arms around my shoulders really tightly helped me through those last few intense contractions. Also getting on all fours.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
In the bed, all fours. Much better than in my back!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relief! Joy, pride, and amazement.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare yourself physically and mentally during your pregnancy. Guard your mind and mouth from negativity. Trust your body!
